Living in Los Angeles can be expensive, especially if you want to experience some of the more glamorous places and activities the city has to offer.
But if you are looking to do something fun and a little bougie to impress your date at the same time it does not mean you have to spend a ton of money.
Today we are going to show you how to hack a cheap date in Los Angeles without giving up the glamour!
1 – Take A Walk @ The Getty Villa
Description:
Want to experience a trip to Ancient Rome and Greece that doesn’t require the cost and hassle of jumping on a plane and traveling all the way to Europe?
The closest you are going to get is just stone’s throw away from the Pacific Coast Highway and its called The Getty Villa.
The Getty Villa is spectacular museum originally opened in 1974, that is modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a Roman country house in Herculaneum.
The breathtakingly beautiful site sits atop small canyon with views of the coastal mountains to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It was renovated and re-opened in 2006 as an educational center and museum showcasing the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
As you and your date stroll hand in hand, you will feel like you are living the dream luxury life and for FREE (but must make a reservation in advance right 👉 HERE).
Location:
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Pic Credit:@travelvoyageluxing
hack:
Visiting the Getty Villa is free but parking is not. I believe it is now $20 to park your car in their lot and take the quick shuttle to the Villa.
Think of the parking fee as your admission fee and trust me its worth it. This place is much better than many Los Angeles museums that charge a hefty admission fee.
2 – Drinks @Dukes Barefoot Bar, Malibu
Description:
If you want to eat a nice meal with the beauty of Malibu as the backdrop for you and your date but don’t want you (or them) to drop hundreds of dollars at Nobu this might be the hack for you.
Dukes in Malibu has the “Barefoot Bar” an outdoor patio right next to the Ocean surf. When you come all the way to Malibu to eat or drink how good the food is almost secondary because the star of the show is always that incredible Ocean view.
With the Barefoot Bar, you can enjoy those same million dollar views just steps from the Ocean for a fraction of the cost. They have many affordable specials always going on with some examples below.
TACOS ON TUESDAY
TACO TUESDAYS IN THE BAREFOOT BAR
4pm – close
$3 Each
Fresh fish taco, Kalua pork taco, Chicken taco, House beer
$5 Draft Beers
$7 Pau Hana Red or White Wine
$4 off All Local Favorites
Location:
21150 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
PIC Credit:@alexis_dunlap
hack:
If you are looking for a 5 Star meal experience temper your expectations. After all, this is a Beach bar. At times people expect fine dining since it is in Malibu but you wouldn’t get those great prices if that was the case.
If you are a picky eater you may want to eat beforehand and just come in for some great drinks by the water.
3 – A Picnic @ El Matador Beach
Description:
For our next affordable luxury date, we stay in Malibu because, hey when you think of glamours places in LA, Malibu has is always top of the list.
Now, this next stop isn’t going to cost you anything but the gas to get there but it’s going to offer you an unbeatable view and atmosphere.
Its called “El Matador Beach” and for years many people liked to think of it as their little secret.
There is no keeping a place this amazing under wraps however and it is pretty much known by everyone in LA who has an Instagram account. This dream location has been used by hundreds of Insta models and influencers looking to show off the glam beach life in this small slice of paradise setting.
After parking, there is a short walk down to the beach that will reveal amazing views as far as the eye can see. Down below you can take a walk, picnic on the beach or explore the small little caves.
Location:
32350 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
PIC Credit:@mbwon
hack:
Like most amazing places in Los Angeles parking can be a challenge. Parking is very limited with one small lot that has a nominal fee.
You can park across the street for free, but you could be risking your life trying to cross this busy street. Our best hack suggestion is to go early. If you go before 10 AM you should find parking and have the added benefit of a less crowded beach.
4 – Lounge w/ Drinks Poolside in Beverly Hills
Description:
How do you hack an affordable date in one of the most expensive zip codes in America? Well, it took some digging but we found your best bet is various Beverly Hills hotels.
Now being a guest at one of these luxurious places would cost you a ton.
But most hotels allow non-guests to come into their restaurants to dine and drink and a few are even poolside.
Viviane is part of the Avalon hotel but you can come by just for eats and lounge by the pool while you do it. It will have you feeling like you are on a luxury vacation just for the price of a meal or a couple of drinks.
The Cabana Cafe at the luxury Beverly Hills Hotel also offers non-guests the opportunity to order food or drinks poolside.
Yes, you will be paying Beverly Hills prices for food and drinks but it is worth it because it is like you and your date are on an extravagant vacation at a Hotel for the rich and famous. (at least for a few hours) 😄
Location:
Avalon Hotel – 9400 W Olympic Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
PIC Credit:@viviane restaurant
hack:
Here is a very special tip for LAHACKERS! Want to sit poolside at the most luxurious hotels in Los Angeles without being a guest?
We have teamed up with DayAxe to give you exclusive access to the most glamorous pools from DTLA to Beverly Hills!
Here is how you do it
1.) First, you join the site for FREE.
2.) Then pick out the luxury pool you want to spend the day at and pay a low one-time access fee.
3.) Enter our special discount code: LIFEHACKS to receive an extra $5 off the already low price!
5 – Soak Up Culture @ The Broad
Description:
The Broad is a contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles that has helped transform the reputation of LA as a “Fine Art City” since its opening in late 2015.
The beautiful building was financed behind $140 million from the Eli Broad family and houses the Broad art collections.
And of the best part? General admission to this spectacular museum and its permanent collection galleries is FREE!
The Broad is not only a free way to get in a day date at one of our cities best cultural attractions but there are so many other amazing places nearby as well to entertain you. Among these is the Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Park, and MOCA etc…
Be sure you both wear comfortable shoes so you can explore this wonderful part of DTLA after taking in all the spectacular museum pieces, galleries, and displays.
Location:
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
PIC Credit:@thebroadmuseum
hack:
The Broad General Admission is free going to pick them up will likely have you waiting in a long line and possibly not getting in.
The solution is to make reservations in advance for the time you want to come and you can do that directly 👉 HERE