A Lover’s Guide to Dating in Orange County
Love is in the air this February, and so is a surge of restless Orange County natives looking for fresh, safe, and stimulating ideas to swoon their significant other right out of the house. This year we’re skipping the old dinner-and-a-movie routine and rounding up the best creative dates along the OC coast for 2021.
Main Street Date
Take a stroll down charming Broadway in Laguna Beach while you admire the street vendors, local artists, and all the uber cute shops lining the street. Window shop hand in hand before you stop for a scoop of gelato at the popular Gelato Paradiso. Then, stroll down to Main Beach and find a bench for a front row seat to a famous Laguna sunset.
Morning Brunch Date
Head over to Urth Caffe for a Spanish Latte and Avocado Toast and then make your way to one of Laguna’s most breathtaking hikes. The “Top of The World” has incredible 360 views from the coastline to the canyon.
Luxury Picnic Date
The newest in fine dining is a pop-up picnic experience by The Beach Picnic Co. Specializing in intimate and unique picnic experiences on the beach, this California-coast inspired picnic company offers romantic date packages for two that include a seamless provided setup and teardown. (Literally all you have to do is show up.) Each picnic includes a gourmet charcuterie board, a fresh floral arrangement, multiple themes and colors to choose from, and a seaside picnic table fashioned to finesse. Complete your romantic setting with a personalized chalkboard message. (P.S. It’s perfect for proposals or even a first-time “I love you!”)
RollerSkate Date
Brush off your pair of skates and cruise down the boardwalk for a fun outdoor excursion! Bring along a portable speaker and set a vibey playlist -- and, for extra points, coordinate matching helmets and don’t forget the knee pads! There’s bound to be lots of laughing (and maybe a bit of falling head over heels)!
Workout Date
Step into love -- 1,000 steps deep. Challenge your partner to a workout at Laguna’s famous Thousand Steps Beach and break a sweat jogging up the -- very steep -- flights of stairs. Afterwards, take a dip in the chilly ocean water to cool off and reward yourself (and all those happy endorphins) with a refreshing açaí bowl from Banzai Bowls.
Gondola Date
Capture all the romance of Venice, Italy, without the red eye flight. Gondola Adventures specializes in romantic relaxing cruises through the canals of Newport Beach, all guided by your very own Gondola captain. (Hot tip: ask him to sing!) Sip on a glass of champagne and enjoy a delicious Italian meal with the “Bellissima Dinner Cruise,” one of several packages they’re offering this lover’s season.
Madison Smetana is a writer, model, event designer, and Southern California native. In 2020 she founded The Beach Picnic Co., a luxury pop-up picnic company whose signature California coastal-styled brand is making waves amidst a time when new, safe, and unique ways to enjoy outdoor dining are highly desired. When she’s not at a photoshoot or setting up a picnic, she can be found at the beach enjoying the sun or enjoying a good meal in even better company.