You can’t plan for love, but you can plan your first date, and activities mean no awkwardly staring at each other over breadsticks.  Ditch the dinner and a movie, and who knows you might just find a summer fling turned autumn romance.

From betting on horses, to riding them: Pony Up

Del Mar Races officially open their gates July 18^th.    Horse races are endlessly entertaining, and a good ole fashioned bet between new friends (and maybe more…) never hurt.  Plus, if your take the train from Union Station – or any Los Angeles or Orange County train station – to Solana Beach, you can spend the time researching your picks.  Pack a picnic (and buy some wine on board) and by the time you arrive at the race, you should be cohorts.

Want to see how your new prospect fares on a mare? Or just out in nature in general? At Sunset Ranch take a one-hour guided tour through the hills of Griffith Park.  You may just trot right into each other’s hearts.

 

Speaking of Downtown Livin’

Beef up your palate. A good first date dinner spot doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact it’s rather refreshing when it’s out of the ordinary—it gives you something to bond over.  Downtown LA is rife with energy, from Olivera Street to Little Tokyo, there’s something for everyone.  Shabu Shabu House Resturant is one of the best Shabu Shabu restaurants around.  You get your own pot of boiling water and can choose how much meat you want to eat on any given meal.

Plus from there you are walking distance to MOCA on South Grand, and with exhibits like Rebel running through the end of June, the museum certainly won’t be boring and will definitely give you something to chat about.

 

-Arianna Schioldager