Couples Therapist Gives Date Night Suggestions for West Los Angeles.
In this article, we will be focusing on activities suggested by a West Los Angeles couples therapist on what to do for a night out. Date nights for couples are a great way to keep the spark alive in a relationship. Research has shown that couples who take time for regular dates have a more successful relationship. In relationship articles and relationship therapists, you’ll commonly hear about the importance of date nights. There is good reason for this. Couples who engage in regular date nights are more likely to have a stronger relationship than those who don’t.
Data Supports Date Nights.
Date nights, especially those nearby in west LA, are important for couples as it gives them an opportunity to reconnect. An evening out being nearby in areas like Venice, Bel Aire, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades, means an easier commute and less time in Los Angeles traffic. Spending time together without any distractions can help couples to really focus on each other and have meaningful conversations. This can help to strengthen the bond between them and remind each individual why they are together in the first place.
Date nights are important for couples is that it helps to keep things interesting. Going out in Los Angeles and doing something new together helps to create new memories and experiences that can bring a sense of excitement and novelty back into a relationship struggling with anxiety, infidelity, and communication issues. Date nights can help to keep things fresh and help couples to stay interested in each other. Date nights can also be a great way to reduce stress. Taking time away from everyday life and responsibilities can help to create a much-needed break and give couples a chance to unwind and relax. Couples therapists usually encourage date nights as a way to help reconnect.
Date night studies have been conducted to observe the impact that spending quality time together on a regular basis has on a romantic relationship. These studies have shown that couples who engage in regular date nights report higher levels of relationship satisfaction, communication, and intimacy, as well as lower levels of stress and conflict. Additionally, date nights can be beneficial for couples who are struggling with issues such as boredom or lack of communication. Date nights can also help rekindle the spark in a relationship that has become stagnant.
Unique Places for Date Night in Los Angeles
What follows is not an exhaustive list of activities for couples in WLA but can serve as a starting point.
Cultural Enrichment & Self-Realization
Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine:
The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean, on Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades. This can be a “choose your own adventure” destination. You can enjoy just the beautiful stroll, sit on a bench and talk, or sit and do some mindful breathing or meditation together. If you’d like to expand your knowledge of Paramahansa Yogananda and his history in Pacific Palisades, you can attend a service.
Skirball Cultural Center:
The Skirball Cultural Center, founded in 1996, is a Jewish educational institution in West Los Angeles. They are “guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger.” This landmark in the 90049 zip code is a great place to explore exhibitions or attend public programming.
Adventure
Santa Monica Pier:
The iconic Santa Monica Pier is the backdrop of movies, music videos, and countless Instagram posts. It has an amusement park, concession stands, and some of the best people-watching. Right off of the Pacific Coast Highway, this double-jointed pier can be accessed from Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica.
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dreamscape:
If a change in perspective would be welcomed, explore virtual reality on the edge of Beverly Hills in Century City, at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. These VR experiences last about 14 minutes. Afterward, walk around the Westfield Century City Mall. This is an epicenter of food in Culver City, from fast casual to finer dining.
Landmarks & Architecture
Venice Architecture:
Walking along Venice Beach, one can encounter some incredibly original Southern California architecture. One structure, previously known as the Chiat-Day Building, and commonly called the Binoculars Building can be found at 340 Main Street in Venice, CA. You’ll see it immediately from the Venice boardwalk. The giant binocular building had new residents in 2011 when Google moved into the 75,000 sq ft building.
Eames House:
Even if you do not recognize their names, you will recognize the work of Charles and Ray Eames. Major influencers of Southern California design, the Eames are creators of iconic furniture. Their home, known as Case Study House No. 8, is sometimes open for tours. This mid-20th century modern landmark is located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Romantic Walking Paths & Gardens
Hike Temescal Canyon:
Just on the edge of Pacific Palisades, not too far from Bel Aire, Temescal Canyon is a 3.8 mile loop trail. Most hikers report this gem of a trail, located in the 90272 zip code, to take 2-4 hours. Sorry to report dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Mildred Mathias Botanical Gardens:
UCLA’s contributions to education and culture make it an invaluable contributor to culture in West Los Angeles. The Park of their campus is the Mildred Mathias Botanical Gardens. This 7.5-acre garden is open to the public in WLA. Keepers of the garden hope it inspires appreciation of plants.
Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park:
Visiting a Memorial Park might not be the height of romance. It is, however, a fascinating walk-through history and a beautifully landscaped park. Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park is a cemetery and mortuary in the heart of the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles. This isn’t the sprawling greenery of Forest Lawn in Hollywood. It is essentially between towering west LA office buildings. It is accessible from Glendon Ave on Wilshire. The address is 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood.
Some notable figures interned there are: Marilyn Monroe, Frank Zappa, Peggy Lee, Ray Bradbury, Farrah Fawcett, Eva Gabor, Florence Henderson, and Betty Page.
Santa Monica Bike Path
If you’re looking for some exercise on your dating excursion, you can bike from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes on this 26-mile trail that goes along the Pacific Ocean. Be creative and think romantically, you can pack a lunch and have a picnic on your adventure.
Museums & Collections
Hammer Museum:
This Free museum is located on Wilshire Blvd in West Los Angeles, near UCLA. Their modern exhibitions range from their permeant collection to installation work from some of our most prominent artists. Be sure to look at their lecture, reading, and film schedule. So many opportunities to experience something new.
Cayton Children’s Museum
As a west Los Angeles marriage counselor, I suggest date nights be without children. However, childcare can sometimes be hard to find. For this reason, the Cayton Children’s Museum makes it on the list of date nights in west LA. This non-profit museum has a mission to facilitate “collaborative, experiential learning and creative expression, both in our museum space and through our community programs.” It is located in downtown Santa Monica, just a few blocks away from the Pacific Ocean.
UCLA Meteorite Collection:
UCLA has the Largest Meteorite Collection on the west coast. It contains over 2,500 samples from 1,500 meteorites. These are located on UCLA’s campus in Westwood, in the Geology Building.
Romantic Dinners
Sawtelle Japantown in West LA:
Instead of just having dinner in the neighborhood of Sawtelle Japantown (once referred to as Little Osaka) walk down Sawtelle Blvd and experience this cultural gem of West Los Angeles. The kitschy shops and highly-rated desserts are great destinations for an after-dinner walk. This is the same area that housed Matrix Institute on Addiction, where Therapy for Adults founder was certified as an addictions counselor in the Matrix Model.
Romantic Dinner and Beach Walk
In Pacific Palisades, right off of the PCH, near Malibu is a Caffe' Delfini. This Italian restaurant makes its own pasta and has been around since early 1990.
After dinner, take the underground tunnel under PCH to Will Rogers Beach, part of the Santa Monica beaches. With clear weather, you can even catch a view of the Santa Monica Pier.
Final Thoughts on Date Nights from A Couples Therapist
I hope that these suggestions are useful in helping you resolve conflict as a couple. Depending on the couple’s tastes, date night activities can range from a candlelit dinner, a movie, a walk in the park, or a night out on the town. Above are only suggestions from a West Los Angeles couple’s therapist wanting you to reconnect and argue less. There are many things to do in west Los Angeles, check out calendar listings online for more ideas.
Heal & Strengthen your Relationship with Support from a Los Angeles Couples Therapist
While date nights can help reignite or strengthen your relationship sometimes it is important to get further support through couples therapy. Where a relationship therapist can help identify struggles between you and your partner and give you the support and tools to begin healing.
If you are in a relationship and interested in improving communication or repairing ongoing issues then follow these steps:
Reach out with questions or feel free to schedule a consultation
Schedule your first appointment at Therapy for Adults
Start improving communication with your partner
Other Therapy Services Offered in Los Angeles
Not married but feel like your relationship could use support so that it can thrive? That's okay couples therapy is available for you whether you are dating, engaged, or married. Want support in finding a relationship that will last? I can help you get there with dating coaching. Beyond relationships, I offer support for anxiety and the highly sensitive person. All of these services are available through online therapy throughout California.
