City Romance

It should come as no surprise that the Griffith Observatory has been voted one of the ten most romantic places in Los Angeles.

There’s something so classically romantic about ending a date up on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood. Perhaps its the breathtaking views both day and night, or that it brings to mind Rebel Without A Cause starring the handsome James Dean. The Griffith Observatory is an iconic building that sits 1,134 feet above sea level and overlooks the big city I call home. You can observe downtown L.A., the Hollywood Sign, the Pacific Ocean, and the nighttime sky – views that practically beg for a kiss!

Inspired by the romance and charm of Griffith Observatory, I’m wearing two of my favorite date dresses – one perfect for a daytime picnic (left) and one for evening stargazing (right).

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Griffith Observatory Daytime Date

Hike, picnic, or both!

Dress, Francesca’s; Shoes, Target (here); Sweater (pictured below), Free People; Lip color, Mac Snob.

For a day date, I’d suggest a hike followed by a little picnic; Joan’s On Third is a great place to get all of your goodies. If you start at the Greek Theater, it should take you no more than twenty-five minutes to reach the Observatory. It gets hot up there, so dress light, bring lots of water, and think about starting late-morning.

Obviously, I wouldn’t wear heels for a hiking date; I’d probably wear a pair of these fun Nike running shoes. However, I opt for heels and my natural, wavy hair for most city dates because they’re what I feel most comfortable in. And, the more comfortable you feel on a date, the better of a time you’ll have!

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Griffith Observatory Evening Date

Sunset-watching, stargazing, and dessert

Dress, Kimchi Blue (Urban Outfitters); Shoes, Charlotte Russe; Blazer, LC Lauren Conrad; Bag, Kate Spade.

Most people visit the Observatory at night to watch the sunset and do some star gazing, so you don’t expect to find parking easily; you may have to park down the hill and do a little walking. Check out the Observatory’s Weekly Sky Report so you know what planets and stars to look for that evening, and so you can channel those sweet scenes from A Walk To Remember. The Observatory also hosts free public star parties one Saturday a month (October 8 is the next event) where telescopes are free to use and astronomers are there to answer questions.

For me, an ideal date night ends with a little dessert. Ideally, I’d say a bottle of champagne, too, but alcohol is prohibited here. Stop by Joan’s On Third beforehand for a slice of Crown Cake to share or pick up cupcakes from Sprinkles or Susie Cakes (my favorite)!

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What L.A. spots do you find most romantic?