Sarah Carrillo
Living Editor
There’s a little rumor going around Pepperdine that students don’t date. Whether this rumor is true is debatable, but the Graphic has its own theories on the topic and has come to the conclusion that maybe more students would date if they knew of some fun, romantic or adventurous places to go on dates. And so, without further ado, we bring you our picks for some of the best places to take that special someone around Malibu and Los Angeles. Now students will have no excuse not to date (sorry but the 60/40 girl to guy ratio is no excuse; neither is too much school work or fear of rejection), and so the Graphic expects this old rumor to end soon and a new one about Pepperdine’s thriving dating scene to emerge.
The beach/ Malibu Pier
OK, this is a no-brainer. If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive way to spend an afternoon, the beach is an obvious answer. The Pier is a little more creative and you can easily make a date out of it by going to lunch, walking around and chatting. Also, because it is so casual there isn’t as much pressure if this is your first date. You could even make it a group date if you’re still nervous about asking someone out.
Hiking
Malibu Creek State Park has 15 miles of trails for you and your date to enjoy. If you’re the outdoorsy type then you’ll enjoy the bike trails, guided tours, horseback trails, swimming and hiking trails. The park is located about four miles away, off of Malibu Canyon Road. There are also plenty of stopping points along the way to picnic or to just take a break and admire the view.
Spumoni
There are plenty of restaurants in Malibu, and almost any of them (Jack in the Box being the obvious exception) would be perfect to start a romantic evening. However, Spumoni, a relative newcomer to Malibu, stands out for its service and intimate atmosphere. The restaurant features Italian food and is small and quiet, which is perfect for conversations. The staff is also very friendly and will make your date a pleasant experience. The restaurant is located at 22235 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. At night, be sure to look for the palm trees decorated with Christmas lights — they’re impossible to miss.
“The food is really good, it’s pretty close to authentic,” senior Catie Royal said. “It has great service and a great romantic atmosphere. And the tiramisu is to die for.”
The Getty Museum
Impress your date by exposing him or her to some culture and fine art at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Even if you’re not a fan of art, you can’t beat the price of admission — it’s free. And it only costs $7 to park. Besides the many art exhibits at the Getty, there are also gardens to wander through and several cafes and restaurants to dine in (reservations are recommended for the Getty’s aptly names elegant eatery, The Restaurant). Or you can be really romantic and pack a picnic to eat in the museum’s designated picnic area. The Getty center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles. Take the 10 freeway to 405 north, exit Getty Center Drive and follow the signs. The Getty Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed Mondays.
“It was nice, it’s a good date place,” said senior Melissa Rister, who recently went on a date at the Getty. “We went to the restaurant and walked around and stayed mostly in the photography and impressionist exhibits. It gave us an opportunity to hang out and talk with each other. It incorporated dinner and culture and everything.”
The Japanese Garden
If the gardens at the Getty aren’t enough, spend an afternoon exploring the 6 1/2 acre Japanese Garden in San Fernando Valley. The garden was created by Dr. Koichi Kawana and is part of the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.
“We invite you to walk, to sit, to contemplate your surroundings in our garden,” Eugene Green, the Garden Director, said. “To do so is to experience absolute tranquility, it is to enrich one’s spirit, to achieve a state of grace so elusive in our busy modern world.”
The garden is located at 6100 Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys and features fountains, gardens, sitting areas and paths perfect for strolling. It is open for tours Monday through Thursday at 9:30, 10 and 10:30 a.m. (Reservations are required). The gardens are also available for open strolling Monday through Thursday noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Theater
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and what better way to take advantage of our proximity to all this entertainment than to make a date out of it? Grab your significant other and head to one of the many plays, comedy clubs, concerts, TV show tapings or movie theaters in the area. There are far too many options to name in this article, but visit www.theatrela.org for listings of upcoming plays and musicals. For comedy clubs, visit the Comedy Store, The Improv, The Laugh Factory, Groundlings or one of the many others in Los Angeles. All of these venues have Web sites listing their upcoming shows and tickets usually cost about $20.
Royal went on a date last week to see comedians Mitch Hedberg and Steven Lynch at a show at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles hosted by Comedy Central. She said the Wiltern hosts many good events like this one.
“It was a small venue so you don’t feel lost in the crowd, but it’s large enough that the audience is still really energetic,” Royal said. “It was an awesome date.”
10-28-04
