10 Solo Date Ideas in Los Angeles for Women Who Need a Day to Themselves

I hear some version of this in my studio all the time:

“I honestly can’t remember the last time I did something just for me.”

Not for your kids. Not because someone else wanted to go. Not because it was productive or useful.

Just because you wanted to.

That’s what I like about a solo date. It doesn’t have to be deep or life-changing. It’s simply a few hours where you get to decide what sounds good without taking anyone else into account.

And Los Angeles gives you plenty of options.

Here are ten solo date ideas for the next time you want a day, or even just an afternoon, to yourself.

1. Spend an afternoon at the new Lucas Museum in Exposition Park

One of the newest places to spend an afternoon alone in LA is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park.

This museum does not require an art-history degree. The collection is built around storytelling. The collection includes illustration, comics, photography, film, murals and fine art.

Go through whatever catches your attention and skip what isn’t compelling to you. Then spend some time outside in the museum’s new park and gardens before heading home.

That’s one of the things I like most about going to a museum alone: there’s nobody beside you asking if you’re ready for the next room. You can stay in a gallery as long as you want or leave as soon as you’ve seen enough

The museum is extremely new and opened in September, so make sure you check its current ticketing and hours before you go.

2. Spend a few hours at a Korean spa

If you want something less structured and more relaxing, spend the day at a Korean spa in Koreatown.

Olympic Spa is women-only, while the Wi Spa has separate bathing areas along with shared spaces.

A Korean spa can also be really good for your relationship with your body. You’re surrounded by regular women with normal bodies simply existing, soaking, steaming, resting and enjoying their day.

That can be extremely refreshing.

If you haven’t been before, know that traditional Korean spa bathing areas are nude. Make sure you double check the specific spa’s reservation policies and services before you go.

If an entire self-care day sounds good, I also put together my favorite spas for women in Los Angeles.

3. Have afternoon tea at The Huntington

If you want your solo date to feel a little more special, spend the day at The Huntington in San Marino.

Walk through the gardens, visit the galleries that are open, and book afternoon tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room.

You could even bring a book. The expansive gardens are extremely relaxing.

The Huntington does requires admission, and the tea room needs to be reserved separately. Before you go double check the current hours and availability. Typically, you have to reserve entry tickets a minimum of one day in advance.

4. Bring a journal to the Lake Shrine

I recently discovered Lake Shrine, and it might be one of the most relaxing places I’ve been in Los Angeles. The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades is one of my favorite options when what you actually want serenity and peace and quiet. 

There are gardens, water, multitudes of places to sit and breathe in fresh air, and beautiful shrines to observe. 

Bring a journal if you want to write. Or leave it in your bag and sit there doing absolutely nothing for a while.

On Sundays, Lake Shrine also hosts guided group meditations and inspirational services. 

Visits are free, but reservations are required, so plan ahead. The reservations open on Saturday at 10 am. These spots run out fairly quickly, so make sure you reserve your spot well in advance. 

5. Watch the sunset at El Matador State Beach

Yes, you can and should go watch the sunset by yourself.

El Matador is especially beautiful near golden hour, with rock formations, caves and a stretch of coastline that feels a little removed from the rest of Los Angeles.

I would recommend bringing a blanket and something warm, because when the sun sets the temperature will drop quickly.

The trail down to the beach at El Matador is fairly steep, so be prepared for a little trek. And the tide affects how much of the beach is accessible to walk on. I would recommend bringing shoes you actually walk in and double check the tide and weather before you go.

Once you are there, put away your phone for 15 minutes and watch the sunset.

6. Go thrifting and look for something you’d never normally wear

Give yourself a small budget and go thrifting. Don’t set out with the intentions of finding anything in particular. See what catches your eye.

Don’t search for work clothes or practical clothes. Nothing that you “need.” But pieces that you are drawn to. It could be a leather jacket, a sexy dress, or maybe it is a ridiculous pair of sunglasses, a vintage slip, or a unique piece of jewelry.

Try on anything you’re drawn to regardless of if you think they will be flattering enough.

There is no pressure to buy anything.

Just have fun and see what catches your eye.

7. Spend an afternoon wandering Atwater Village

Some solo dates are better without a strict plan.

I love record stores. So personally, I would begin by flipping through records at Record Safari. You don’t have to know what you’re looking for. Pick an album because you love the artist, recognize the cover, or just want to hear something new.

Then walk over to Black Elephant Coffee, order something, and actually sit down with it instead of taking it to go. Wander around the neighborhood afterward and see where you end up.

8. Buy yourself a romance novel at The Ripped Bodice

Head to The Ripped Bodice in Culver City and pick a book based entirely on what you feel like reading.

Romantic comedy. Historical romance. Something dramatic. Something spicy. Something you would normally feel a little embarrassed admitting you’re curious about.

The entire bookstore is devoted to romance, so you can browse every version of the genre without having to hunt for one small section.

If you aren’t sure where to start, ask for a recommendation or merely peruse until something catches your attention.

Then take your new book to a park or somewhere nearby for coffee and read the first few chapters.

Don’t buy the book you think you should read.

Buy the one you actually want to read.

9. Take yourself out for dinner

For a lot of people, but especially women, this solo date feels oddly intimidating.

Do it anyway.

Choose a restaurant you’ve wanted to visit and make a reservation for one. Sitting at the bar or chef’s counter can feel easier if you’re new to eating out alone.

And then actually be present.

While you are there, don’t pretend to work or spend the entire time scrolling on your phone.

Order exactly what you want. Stay as long as you want. Get dessert if you want dessert. Don’t overthink it.

10. Take a class you keep saying you’d like to try

Pottery. Cooking. Floral arranging. Painting. Dance. Jewelry making. Candle making. Sewing classes.

If you are interested in Throw Clay LA, I would highly recommend it.

Or if you are interested in embroidery, machine sewing, knitting, crocheting, or quilting, I can personally vouch for Stitch Space LA. They are phenomenal.

Choose anything that sounds fun to you.

Don’t wait to find someone who wants to go with you.

You might even meet someone new there. 

One of the easiest ways to become more comfortable doing things alone is to stop waiting for company every time something interests you.

Book the class.

You might love it. You might decide it’s not for you.

Either way, you took the time to find out, and did something for yourself.

How to Plan a Solo Date in Los Angeles You’ll Actually Take

The biggest mistake is not designating time for it and treating it like something you’ll do the next time you have free time.

Most of us don’t magically discover four empty hours on a Saturday.

Pick the thing you want to do and schedule it.

If it requires a reservation, make one. If you can go on a weekday, even better. Museums, beaches and restaurants tend to be quieter.

And don’t plan every minute. Give the day some room to evolve. Try not to spend the whole thing on your phone.

You don’t need a special occasion to do something for yourself

I think a lot of women get very used to putting themselves near the bottom of their own list.

We become good at noticing what everyone else needs. We remember appointments, make plans, answer messages and keep things moving.

Then someone asks, “What do you want to do?”

And sometimes we genuinely don’t know.

That’s another reason I like solo dates.

You have to ask yourself the question.

What actually sounds good to me?

Not what would look good on Instagram. Not what everyone else loves. Not what would make the most productive use of the afternoon.

What do I want?

That’s where you should start.

And maybe your next solo date looks a little different

This is also part of why I love photographing women.

Women come into my studio for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes they’re celebrating something, sometimes they’re working on their confidence, and sometimes they simply want to do something for themselves. I’ve written more about why women choose to have boudoir photos taken.

A boudoir session gives you a few hours where you aren’t responsible for anyone else. You show up, we take care of the rest, and the focus stays on you.

But I don’t think you need to book a boudoir session to start making yourself a priority.

You also don’t have to wait until you look different, feel more confident, or reach some future version of yourself to start doing things that make you feel good. I wrote more about why we need to stop waiting to physically change to feel beautiful.

Start with coffee by yourself.

Go look at art.

Watch the sunset.

Order dinner for one.

You may find that the more often you do things simply because you want to, the easier it becomes to know what you actually enjoy.

And if one day you decide you want your solo date to include professional makeup, beautiful photographs and a few hours in front of my camera, I’d love to photograph you at ELI Boudoir in Los Angeles.