There are some really charming destinations in Orange County, CA, ideal for a romantic date! Here are my favorites.
1. Laguna Beach
My pick for the best Orange County date area is Laguna Beach. Once a secluded beach town, the secret is out, and traffic and parking are a nightmare. But, for good reason, as the little beach community has tons of charm.
Have dinner (make reservations) or lunch at one of the great restaurants there, check out the boutiques and shops, then walk along the beach and up to the boardwalk in the cliffs of Heisler Park. This place is mega-romantic and feels like Hawaii in places.
For amazing views right along the cliffs, make dinner reservations at Las Brisas, then do the cliff walk afterward. You can’t go wrong with that combination!
As I mentioned, traffic, parking, and crowds can be a nightmare in the most popular area around Main Beach Park, where PCH meets Broadway. I would pretty much forget about going on a summer weekend and instead opt for a weekday if that is possible
One “must-see” event in Laguna Beach is their famous Festival of Arts “Pageant of the Masters”, which happens in July through August. There, they re-create famous paintings with live actors and real sets. If this idea seems boring to you, take a look at the reviews on Yelp by reluctant husbands and boyfriends who were dragged to this event but ended up really enjoying it. Arrive early to avoid nightmarish traffic though.
2. Disneyland / California Adventure
One of the first articles I wrote on this site was on how to have a great date at Disneyland. My number one tip is go in the afternoon and stay till closing because Disneyland is much more romantic at night. Plus, it will be cooler and there will be fewer screaming babies. Even the cheesy rides like the Jungle Cruise are charming and more believable at night. Oh, and don’t miss the fireworks show, which is excellent. Yes, Disneyland at night can be a romantic, albeit expensive, date idea. Read all of my Disneyland date tips.
And let’s not forget about California Adventure, which is some ways a more “grown-up” park with restaurants that serve alcohol and faster rides.
3. Downtown Disney
If you can’t afford the over $200 cost of doing Disneyland for two, have a low-cost “Disney experience” at Downtown Disney. There are no rides but the atmosphere is similar. As a bonus, they serve alcohol at Downtown Disney, which they do not do inside the park. Sometimes they have live music as well.
The general consensus is that Catal was the best restaurant in Downtown Disney, but unfortunately, it is closing. The good news is that the excellent Din Tai Fung will be added to the lineup of restaurants at Downtown Disney. My backup restaurant is Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, which generally has capacity if you don’t mind waiting a bit. Or, have dinner at one of the fine restaurants in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel which is great to just walk through as well.
You can go during the day, but for a date, I wouldn’t. The ambiance is way more romantic at night.
4. The Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
With a building that has more than a passing resemblance to the Disney Concert Hall, but with contents more in line with the Broad, the Orange County Museum of Art at the Segerstrom Center campus in Costa Mesa gives art lovers in Orange County something to celebrate about.
And get this, admission is free, and no reservations are necessary. What???
I’m writing this article literally on opening day (October 8th, 2022), so I haven’t attended yet, but it’s on my “to-do ASAP” list! Museums are ideal date destinations, and this one looks awesome! Look for photos and more details on this page soon!
5. Orange Hill Restaurant
Orange Hill is one of those restaurants known more for its view than its food, but it is still one of the most romantic restaurants in Orange County. The view is spectacular, but I also enjoy walking the grounds after dinner. If you are a hard-core foodie, perhaps you should find somewhere else, but, if you enjoy a good ambiance, this place is unbeatable in Orange County.
6. Newport Beach
Newport Beach has lots of great restaurants. One of my favorites is Nobu, with its award-winning Japanese cuisine, located where the 55 freeway ends, right on the water. I’m also a huge fan of Pizzaria Mozza. For more great suggestions, check out OC Weekly’s top ten essential Newport Beach restaurants.
After dinner, walk around this charming town, whether you are at the waterfront, Balboa Island, Balboa Peninsula, or Fashion Island. Right across the street from Fashion Island is the VEA Hotel, a good place to hang out for drinks (Reveal lounge) or even dinner at View Restaurant and Lounge.
For a more adventurous date idea, check out paddleboarding with Pirate Coast Paddle Company. They have great reviews on Yelp and are perfect for beginners. Check out this night paddle!
7. The Anaheim Packing House
The Anaheim Packing House is a “food hall reminiscent of the great public markets of South America and Europe”. Built in 1919, it was originally a train loading station for oranges. Now, it houses some great restaurants and features live music on the weekends.
For drinks, check out the Sacred Wine Bar at the end with its outdoor patio. Or cross E. Santa Ana Street for the Unsung Brewing Company if you like beer, MAKE for cocktails, or Pali Wine Company for wine. Across the park, there’s another brewery, Monkish Brewing. So there are lots of options for drinks!
The Packing House is definitely one of the coolest food courts you’ll find. Just a heads-up though, last time I went on a Saturday afternoon it was packed (no pun intended) and parking was difficult. I’d recommend avoiding the weekends there unless you’re going later at night.
8. Poppy & Seed
Adjacent to the Anaheim Packing House is Poppy & Seed, by the folks behind downtown LA’s Poppy + Rose. It features fine California cuisine in a charming indoor/outdoor space. Good date restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Afterward, wander over to the Anaheim Packing House for dessert!
9. The Cellar Restaurant
With the interior built by the craftsman who worked on Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean, The Cellar in Fullerton is an old-school romantic date restaurant. The classic dining room has white tablecloths and serves solid European fare. There is also courtyard seating. Food, service, and drinks get good reviews online.
10. Summit House Restaurant
Summit House Restaurant in Fullerton is the perfect place to go for a special occasion like a birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day… or if you just want to impress. Specializing in prime rib and classic American fare, this white-tablecloth restaurant has a romantic interior and beautiful outdoor patios. This place is definitely old school, though, not trendy at all. If you want cutting-edge decor and cuisine, look elsewhere.
The food and service are excellent. The desserts are also wonderful! If it’s still light out after dinner, you can walk the grounds, which are quite charming. There’s a pathway that runs around the perimeter of the property.
11. Segerstrom Center for the Arts
You don’t need to go all the way to L.A. for a “cultural” night out to see a play or symphony. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa offers musicals, ballets, and classical orchestras. Check their calendar to see what’s going on.
Our favorite concert there was Pink Martini with the Pacific Symphony in 2021 – amazing!
12. The Camp & The Lab
The Camp is a small “eco-friendly” outdoor mall in Costa Mesa with a different vibe: more Earthy, with bare wood and metal, Airstream trailers, and succulent gardens. There are fewer big chains here (besides Patagonia) and more unique stores. The Camp is a good informal “get-to-know-you” type of place for coffee and a pleasant stroll without too much commitment or distraction.
Very similar to The Camp, and right across the street in fact, is The LAB Anti-Mall. It shares the organic outdoor feel of The Camp, along with its small-business and sustainability values. Again, very cool for an informal date of exploration and browsing in unique stores.
13. Orange Circle Plaza Square
The Orange Circle or “Old Town Orange“, located at the intersection of Chapman and Glassel, is the closest thing I can think of in Orange County to Mill Valley’s downtown square in Back to the Future. Step back in time and check out the vintage clothing stores, antique shops, restaurants, and coffee houses in this very charming area.
It’s a great informal first-date location where you can grab coffee, then walk around afterward if things are going well. I recommend the huge Urth Caffe, where you can have coffee next to a cool table-level fire pit.
For dessert, check out Pie Hole. Or, browse vinyl at Mr. C’s Rare Records (the oldest record store in Orange County) or satisfy your inner geek at Big Red Comics.
14. The Fifth Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Orange County doesn’t have a lot of rooftop bars, but The Fifth is one of the few. It’s located across the street from Disneyland at the top of the Grand Legacy at the Park hotel. If you time it right, you’ll be treated to a front seat for Disneyland’s fireworks! Food is gastropub fare and gets pretty good reviews on Yelp! Parking is limited unless you do valet, so be prepared to be redirected and do some walking. Reservations highly recommended!
15. Strong Water Anaheim
If you’re up for a fun and slightly quirky date night bar experience, then Strong Water Anaheim might be your ticket. It’s a legit Tiki bar with immersive decor. Of course, it has great drinks like its Dole Whip Colada. Surprisingly, reviewers on Yelp say the food is pretty amazing too! Oh, and it’s within walking distance from the Anaheim Packing House. Reservations are highly recommended, as this place is popular!
16. Orange County Fair / OC Night Market
Located at the Costa Mesa Events Center, the Orange County Fair runs from mid-July through mid-August. This isn’t a quaint country-style fair. It’s bright and loud with amped-up EDM music playing on the rides with flashing lights. As with most amusement parks, I recommend going in the late afternoon and spending most of your time there at night, when it’s cooler and more romantic. Food is definitely not healthy but sinfully good, i.e., everything is fried (and not cheap!) Although admission is cheap ($14 on weekends as of this writing), the games, food, and rides all add up. So, it’s not exactly a cheap night out, but it can be fun if you’re into this sort of stuff. Look for half-off admission coupons on Groupon.
The OC Night Market is located in the same space as the Fair but happens only a few days in May, June, and August. The emphasis is on higher-end food-truck-type food. Lines can get insanely long so don’t arrive hungry (or arrive really early when the lines are short). Oh, and bring a lot of cash, because they don’t take credit. There are also lots of vendors and carnival-type games. This can be fun if you are prepared and know what you are getting into.
17. Huntington Beach – Bars and Bonfires!
There are two date night attractions that I wanted to highlight in Huntington Beach. The first is Main St. from PCH to a few blocks inland. This popular area has lots of restaurants and bars. These include Perqs, Gallagher’s, Baja Sharkeez, Hurricanes Bar & Grill, and 2nd Floor. The crowd is young – mostly college or 20s folks bar hopping. You could argue this is more of a place for rowdy singles and frat-boy types to hang out, but I thought it had charm as well if you avoid the peak periods. It may or may not be your cup of tea. On Tuesdays from 5-9 PM they have “Surf City Nights” with a farmer’s market and live bands.
The other attraction I like in Huntington Beach is the beach at night, because it’s one of the few So Cal beaches that allow bonfires! A few blocks south of the pier there are over 500 concrete “fire rings” where you can burn your own firewood at night! Bring a towel, a blanket, some snacks, and of course, some firewood.
Unfortunately, there is no way to reserve a fire pit – they are first-come, first-serve. I suggest scoping out the beach before you plan to go to get a feel for the crowds and how early you need to arrive. More info on Huntington Beach bonfires here.
18. Knott’s Berry Farm
If Disneyland is a great date idea, then Knott’s must be too. Knott’s offers real roller coasters as opposed to Disneyland’s kiddy rides. Oh, and the food is a bit better too. I highly recommend purchasing your tickets online in advance, as there are huge savings.
During Halloween, Knott’s Scary Farm is famous for having employees dressed up as monsters scaring the sh*t out of people. For a more relaxed experience, go during Christmas at night – the decorations are really nice.
19. Angeles or Ducks Game
I’ve always felt that Angels Stadium was just a tad better than other baseball stadiums in terms of overall atmosphere and cleanliness. There’s a good selection of food too. If you’re not an Angels fan, go when they’re playing a team that you do like.
Similarly, Honda Center where the Ducks play is pretty nice and clean, as far as stadiums go.
20. Bike Riding
Orange County is not especially known for its bike trails, but you might be surprised by what it has to offer. Check out these Top 10 Bike ‘n Brunch Rides. A prime example is the Fullerton Bike Loop. It’s not an “official” bike trail, but maybe that’s part of the allure. It even has a “Love Tunnel”!
There are also some great scenic routes around Newport Beach. Start off at Corona del Mar State Beach’s Inspiration Point, then head northwest to Lookout Point. From there, keep going until you get to the Balboa Island bridge. Cross it and spend some time on the Island. For $1.25 per bicyclist, you can board the ferry to get to Balboa Peninsula and check out the Fun Zone. You can rent electric bikes at Pedego Corona Del Mar or take a guided bike tour.
21. Your Local Farmer’s Market
I believe that going to a farmer’s market can be a fun, mellow date idea. Everyone could use more fresh fruit, right? Check out this list of farmer’s markets in your area of Orange County.
Honorable Mentions
Orange County has some other cool areas such as Downtown Brea and Downtown Santa Ana which are up-and-coming!
Orange County Great Park in Irvine offers amazingly pristine, newly- constructed, athletic fields, pathways, and landscapes. There are some other cool things like the Great Park Balloon ride. As a date idea, it’s still somewhat of a work in progress. It’s a great place to play tennis, jog, or go rollerblading with someone. I’d probably recommend the farmer’s market most of all though. It happens from 10 AM to 2 PM every Sunday.
I hope you like these ideas. What have I missed? Please leave a comment below! – Brian
Ask Me a Question or Leave a Comment
Hello! Just an update on #13, sadly Watsons Soda Fountain closed its doors in July.
Hi Danielle,
Ah, sorry to hear that, but many thanks for the update… I’ll update the article.
Best,
Brian