10 Things To Do During Your Los Angeles Honeymoon

Everybody wants to take a walk down Hollywood Blvd or better, take a hike up to the Hollywood Sign. Maybe you’ve got plans to visit on your honeymoon? What’s so exhilarating about Los Angeles is that LA is what you make of it. So here are some of the makings with a mix of the familiar and some pleasant surprises, perfect for your ideal LA honeymoon.

1. LA Culture

 If you’re looking to laugh, visit the Groundlings Theatre where comedy legends were and continue to be crafted or Upright Citizens Brigade, the improv company co-founded by Amy Poehler.

Amoeba is the largest independent record store in the world which makes it a mecca for any record collector. It’s the perfect spot to pick out some classic tunes to bring back to your new home as husband and wife.

Downtown Art Walk is a free, self guided walking tour of galleries along Gallery Row in Downtown LA that takes place every second Thursday of every month, rain or shine.

A trip to LA isn’t complete without heading to a TV taping or taking a studio tour. To be in the live audience of one of your favorite comedies or talk shows for free, visit 1iota, Audiences Unlimited, and On Camera Audiences. There are more TV ticket websites out there however the above are the only ones that I’ve personally used and can recommend. TV tapings that I’ve been to have taken anywhere between three to six hours long and that doesn’t include showing up about two hours earlier to get in line for the taping and ensure a really good seat as it’s usually first come, first served. If you’re looking for a more timely Hollywood experience, go for a studio tour. There’s a handful of tours available including the mesmerizing WB Studio Tour, the blink and you might miss a celebrity on the lot Paramount Studios Tour, the wildly fun Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, and finally, Sony Pictures Studio Tour.

The Magic Castle is the place to go for magic, alcohol, and an all around good time. The catch? It’s a private club so you can’t get in without being a member or receiving a guest card from a member. So if you have any LA friends, be sure to reach out to them to get the hookup for your honeymoon! It’s actually more fun with a group of people, so if there’s one activity to do on your honeymoon with a group, let this outing be that.

Photo via Geffen Playhouse Instagram

 2. Support the Arts

Pantages and Walt Disney Concert Hall are bucket list go to places for any lover of the arts. Also, the beautiful Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre are all part of the Center Theater Group and provide temporary homes for many new and beloved shows. Geffen Playhouse offers a more intimate experience that you will never forget.

Photo via The Farm Sanctuary Facebook

3. Go for a Hike or Walk

Griffith Park is the staple though Runyon Canyon Park is also a favorite among LA locals. If you’re looking for a more touristy reward for your hike, consider taking in one of the handful of hiking trails to the Hollywood Sign.

For a less strenuous but equally rewarding walk, skip the LA Zoo and visit The Farm Sanctuary which is a 26 acre sanctuary for over 100 rescued animals. The shelter offers one hour guided tours on Sundays year round.

Photo via Visit Marina del Rey Facebook

4. Relax at the Beach

You can relax on the beach before taking a stroll down the Santa Monica Pier and picking up a few goodies along Third Street Promenade. For a more eclectic people watching experience, Venice Beach is the place to go. There are plenty of romantic activities to do on the shore in Marina del Rey so be sure to plan ahead here. For a bit of a drive, there’s also Malibu and a number of beaches to visit along the Pacific Coast Highway. Take your pick and arrive early to soak in the most.

Photo via Japanese American National Museum Facebook

5. Visit a Museum or Gallery

LACMA (Jazz Night and the Film Independent Series in particular), MOCA, The Getty, Griffith Observatory, and The Grammy Museum may be on your itinerary but consider making room for visiting the California Science Center, Japanese American National Museum, or the Museum of Tolerance which is a human rights laboratory and educational center dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. And for a photography exhibit unlike any other, visit Annenberg Space for Photography.

Photo via The Last Bookstore Facebook

6. The Familiar With A Twist: The Movies, The Mall, & More

The Arclight Theater offers the ultimate movie viewing experience you’ve been longing for. Seats are reserved and there is a strict no talking and cell phone use policy, not to mention, no one is allowed to enter the theater once previews have ended. Previews are limited and there are no commercials. The theater also has special 21+ viewings that serve your favorite cocktails. There is also a cafe and bar inside of the theater as well as a retail store, the perfect spot for the cinephile to get lost in. Hollywood is the location to go to run into a celebrity, red carpet movie premiere or not. Culver City is a great location if you’re looking for a movie and mall experience as it’s located in the Westfield Mall. Pasadena is also a great location as there’s plenty to check out in Pasadena, especially as the town comes alive at night. It’s simply beautiful.

Forget the drive in movies, take in a movie (or eve musical performance) at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery which offers events regularly, offering a great variety for families and couples alike.

While the LA Public Library has many locations, downtown LA is the location you want to visit. It is so grand and the architecture so stunning, you’ll walk away marveling at this Los Angeles gem after taking a self guided or group tour. For a more intimate book experience, consider checking out Book Soup which hosts many book signings, The Last Bookstore which is a must visit for any bibliophile or Skylight Books for a number of rare surprises.

For the ultimate shopping experience, Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, Robertson Blvd, Sunset Avenue, and Hollywood & Highland are probably already on your list. But be sure to also check out the outdoor mall, The Grove which is conveniently right next to the Farmer’s Market, Beverly Center which is just blocks away, LA Fashion District in Downtown LA (go early, bring cash, and if you’re not used to big crowds in tight spaces…this is not for you), Westside Pavilion, Little Tokyo, Korea Town, Downtown Burbank, or Glendale Galleria to name a few!

Photo via SanDiego.com

7. Take a Day Trip!

There are so many places worth checking out outside of LA but you should definitely put on your itinerary a day trip Disneyland in Anaheim or San Diego which offers the Gaslamp Quarter among a long list of great places to visit. Leave at least two hours earlier than you think you should leave to beat the LA traffic.

For less than $3 one way, you can take the Metro bus straight from Downtown LA to Disneyland, which many would say is the easiest route. Or, if you’d like to visit Union Station, you can take the Metrolink or Amtrak train into Anaheim and bus the rest of the short trek to Disneyland. There are a number of ways to get to Disneyland and San Diego, so you’ll have to figure out which journey is the best for you.

Photo via Jeni’s Ice Creams Instagram

8. Indulge

If there’s one LA ice cream shop that is a must for anyone visiting LA, it’s Diddy Riese. The locals love this spot. Plus, you’ll be in Westwood Village which hosts a number of red carpet movie premieres so there’s a good chance you could get a glimpse of one of your favorite stars.

For some of the most creative and equally delicious ice cream flavors, consider visiting Jeni’s Ice Creams in Los Feliz.

In between shopping in the Beverly Hills, consider stopping at Harajuku Crepe for one of the best crepes in town.

Photo via Mosaic Instagram

9. Faith

If you’re looking for a church to visit during your honeymoon, visit Mosaic which is one of the most welcoming and diverse places of worship in the LA area with multiple services – even an evening service! If you want, you can listen to their debut album, MSC (Live from LA) ahead of time so you’ll know some of the songs by the time you get there! Best of all, you can subscribe to their podcast on iTunes so you don’t miss a message after you come home from your honeymoon!

Photo via Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles Facebook

10. Learn the Language of Love

Every term, the Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles holds an open house during which they offer h’orderves and a free one hour beginner French classes, perfect for honeymooners looking to immerse themselves in the language of love. Stay tuned to the Alliance Francaise de Los Angeles website for information on the next open house.