Valentine’s Day is right around the corner!

Not sure where to take that special someone? For our latest original LA2050 map, we’re sharing 20 ideas for “dates for good” across Los Angeles. These unique activities are guaranteed to impress AND make a positive impact, by supporting local nonprofits and small businesses.

Whether you plan to spend Valentine’s Day with your BFF, your situationship, your mom, or your long-time partner – we hope you enjoy! 💝

1. Hiking at TreePeople’s Coldwater Canyon Park

Mark your calendars for this belated Valentine's Day date! Whether you're exploring with your sweetheart, friends, or flying solo, TreePeople’s Moonlight Hike, on February 23rd at 7pm, promises an evening of excitement, beauty, and connection to nature.

2. Waving to the animals at the Los Angeles Zoo

Treat your special someone to a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable animal encounters. Get your tickets now and let love roar at the Los Angeles Zoo!

3. Watching Bob Baker Marionette’s “Magic Strings”

Gather your loved ones for a belated Valentine's Day adventure that's perfect for the whole family! Step into the enchanting world of "A Medley of Marionette Marvels Where Every String Pull Unveils A World of Wonder and Delight," at Magic Strings, on February 16th at 7:30 pm.

4. Watching “Signs of Life” at the Griffith Observatory Planetarium

Griffith Observatory’s 290-seat Samuel Oschin Planetarium theater is the finest planetarium in the world. Enjoy a screening of "Signs of Life" to see how the laws of chemistry and physics drive cosmic evolution, as you travel through the solar system, the Milky Way Galaxy, and beyond.

5. Volunteering for Hollywood Food Coalition’s Community Dinner

Looking for a meaningful way to give back this Valentine's Day? Join Hollywood Food Coalition for its Community Dinner. Help is needed for meal preparation, meal service, and its community exchange. Make a difference in the lives of those in need!

6. Enjoying pastries at the LGBT Center’s Liberation Coffee House

Make your Valentine's Day date one to remember. Operated and staffed by graduates of the Center's intergenerational Culinary Arts program, the Liberation Coffee House offers opportunities for LGBTQ youth and seniors to gain valuable skills and employment in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

7. Volunteering with Project Angel Food

Looking for a meaningful way to give back this Valentine's Day? Help out in Project Angel Food's kitchen for a volunteering experience like no other! Under the guidance of professionally trained chefs, you'll have the opportunity to cook and package meals for those in need.

8. Volunteering at Big Sunday’s Valentinemania

Get ready to spread some love and cheer this Valentine's Day at Big Sunday’s 1st-ever Valentinemania volunteer event! Join on February 14th at 10am, for a heartwarming celebration where you’ll be crafting cards and assembling goodie bags.

9. Enjoying the art at The Hammer Museum

Grab your sweetheart or your squad and dive into a day of art, inspiration, and fun at the Hammer Museum. It's the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day with a dash of creativity and a whole lot of heart. Best of all, admission is free!

10. Brunching at Home Girl Café

Celebrate love, compassion, and the power of second chances this Valentine's Day at Homegirl Café. It's more than just a meal, it's an experience that feeds the soul and leaves you with a heart full of warmth.

11. Browsing the Plaza de la Raza Valentine's Art Day Sale

Join Plaza de la Raza on February 10th and 11th for its annual Valentine's Art Sale at the Boathouse Gallery, featuring a multitude of vendors selling Valentine’s gifts, live music, and artist-led workshops in art, dance, and song.

12. Going out to Center Theater Group’s “Romeo & Juliet”

Indulge in an unforgettable Valentine's Day date, on February 14th at 8pm, with Matthew Bourne's captivating rendition of Romeo and Juliet! Immerse yourselves in Shakespeare's timeless tale of forbidden love, reimagined with a scintillating injection of raw passion and youthful vitality.

13. Sipping coffee at La La Land Kind Cafe

La La Land Kind Cafe believes in putting people before profits and showing that a business can thrive while still giving back to the community, caring for the environment, and serving top-quality products. Join the cafe in spreading love, joy, and kindness – one smile at a time!

14. Creating Conversation Hearts at POT Studio LA

POT Studio LA is the first community pottery studio for and by people of color. Let the magic of pottery bring you closer, on February 15th at 7:00 pm, as one of POT LA’s teachers guides you through the fundamentals of wheel throwing, step by step. [Bonus: Check out the photo essay from our late 2023 visit here.]

15. Slurping smoothies at With Love Market & Café

Looking for a laid-back spot for a casual date? Nestled in the heart of South LA, With Love Market & Café is not just a place to grab a delicious cup of coffee or a refreshing smoothie – it's a community hub where you can relax, unwind, and connect with loved ones.

16. Shopping at Made by DWC’s Resale Boutique

Looking for the perfect last-minute Valentine's Day gifts that make a difference? Look no further than MADE by DWC! MADE by DWC is not just a store – it's a social enterprise empowering women to earn income, gain valuable job skills, and transition out of homelessness. [Bonus: Here’s a short LA2050 video featuring our friend Andrea Savage sharing an item from DWC.]

17. Writing love poems at Love Letters Valentine's Day Pop-Up

Enjoy a love-filled adventure in the heart of the LA Arts District with your whole family! Check out Love Letters on February 10th at 3pm, the ultimate Valentine's pop-up market and type-in event that promises a day filled with shopping, creativity, and plenty of love.

18. Crafting Valentine’s Cards with Self Help Graphics & Art

Get ready for some family fun! Join Teaching Artist Martha Carrillo on Saturday, February 10th, at 1:00 pm for a free Family Workshop where you’ll learn the basics of screen printing and get creative as you design your own Valentine's Day cards

19. Trekking the Schabarum Grand Spur Trail

Hike with your boo through the east side via this 1.5-mile path from the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. This relatively flat urban trail connects two portions of the Schabarum-Skyline Trail.

20. Strolling through the South Coast Botanic Garden

The South Coast Botanic Garden is located on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula. This 87-acre Botanic Garden has more than 2,500 different species of plants from as far away as Australia, the Mediterranean, and southern Africa. Explore and stroll the gardens for free on February 15th, for a belated Valentine's date.

💝Related content: Here’s the 2023 edition of our annual Social Impact Gift Guide. The winter holiday season may have passed, but most if not all of the items and organizations in the Guide remain!

💌 Note: Homeboy Industries, DWC, and the Hammer Museum are among the 114 organizations who have received grants from the Goldhirsh Foundation via the annual LA2050 Grants Challenge.