5 Easy Quarantine Date Ideas
Being a new mom and on quarantine has meant 8 straight months (!) of a very lackluster social life. Aside from missing weekend brunches with the girls, shopping trips, and visits to museums and exhibits, I haven’t actually been on a date with hubby since January. Thankfully, my birthday this weekend gave me the reinvigoration needed to get back on the scene with hubby since my mom was able to watch the baby for me all weekend.
Idea 1: Have an outdoor dinner at a random location in the city
Although California is still under a stay at home order, a great way to keep some sanity while social distancing is going anywhere in the city and setting up an elaborate (or simple) dinner date. This weekend, hubby and I went to DTLA on Friday night but forgot that reservations would be needed since most restaurants are at limited capacity. Instead, we grabbed food from our fav fried chicken sandwich shop, Birdies, stopped at Ralph’s and got some drinks, and drove over to Chinatown. It was completely empty so we were able to sit at a bench, eat, walk around, and take in the sights with no crowds.
Idea 2: Play tourist at home
Even though most travel is out of the question, there are most definitely ways to feel like a travel junkie right at home. Most cities have local landmarks and most people forget that even our hometowns are tourist destinations. So take a day trip around the city and explore. And if you’re like me and you like your dates to center around food, pick a new restaurant to try in a part of the city you’ve never been before.
Idea 3: Have a Picnic
Quarantine has definitely brought back to life the tradition of going on a picnic. I think the most exciting way to reintroduce the art of the picnic is to pick a new part of the city with a nice park and get your favorite take-out or make a charcuterie spread. I tend to keep a blanket in the trunk of my car so that if I’m ever out on a drive, I can grab food and drinks and head anywhere where there’s somewhere to sit and have a picnic. Los Angeles has great views, from parks that overlook downtown to parks that overlook the beach. I’ll be following up with a post on the best parks with an ocean view here in Los Angeles next week, so make sure you subscribe to catch that list when it drops. Of course, you can always picnic at the beach, but be prepared for crowds. I was able to have a social distance sunset picnic at Redondo Beach, so I would recommend going later in the day when the crowds start to thin.
Idea 4: Take a hike
Living in Southern California means there are a plethora of hiking trails that you can discover. From LA County, and Orange County to San Bernardino County and Riverside County, there are more hiking trails than I can count. And if you don’t live in Southern California, try looking up local walking trails or even taking an urban hike through the city. Any place where you can get moving and use your eyes and ears to take in the sights and sounds of the outdoors is a great date to me.
Idea 5: Go on a long drive
Being cooped up in the house for months is definitely not ideal. And wanting to stay safe is getting harder as bars, restaurants, and other businesses begin to slowly reopen. Instead of tempting COVID fate, you can always opt for a scenic drive. Drive through the city and stop when you see cool architecture. Drive along the coast (if you’re near the coast) and stop to smell the ocean breeze. Drive to the highest point in the city and take in the views. Bonus points if you bike instead!
What some ways you’ve been on a date with bae during the quarantine? Drop a comment below!