Best Sunset Cruises in Los Angeles for Couples
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating free date guides.
Sunset cruises in Los Angeles are one of those dates where the city actually cooperates. You're on the water, the Pacific is doing its golden hour thing, and the coastline stretches from Malibu to Palos Verdes in every direction. No traffic. No parking drama. Just open water and a skyline that looks better from a boat than it does from the 405.
Most cruises depart from Marina del Rey, the largest man-made small craft harbor in North America. It's centrally located on the Westside and easy to reach from Santa Monica, Venice, or the South Bay. Some boats also leave from Long Beach, Redondo Beach, or San Pedro if you're closer to that side. For more LA date ideas beyond the water, check out our full Los Angeles date ideas guide.
We've sorted through the options so you don't have to. Below you'll find champagne sails, dinner cruises, whale watching combos, and coastal tours. Prices, durations, what to wear, and where to eat after are all covered.
Top-Rated Sunset Cruises
These are the highest-rated sunset experiences along the LA coast. Each one offers a different vibe, from intimate sailboats to full dinner service with coastline views.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Our Studio Tour brings you closer than ever to the entertainment you love. You’ll explore one of the busiest working studios in Los Angeles with one of our expert Tour Guides. Explore iconic backlot sets and sound stages. Learn how movie magic comes to life at Stage 48: Script to Screen, from classic Hollywood costumes to green-screen technology used to create special effects. Dine in our expanded Central Perk Café and shop in our Friends Boutique, complete with costumes from the hit show on display. The Grand Finale lets you step into the movies with recreated sets from the DC Universe where you can encounter Superheroes and Super-Villains. Then swish and flick your way through Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and be sorted by the enchanted sorting hat.
Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More
This 7.5 hour guided tour - by LA-natives - is perfect for families, couples and all ages! Our routes are carefully curated to visit the most welcoming and visitor-friendly parts of Los Angeles. Discover the area’s most iconic sights and landmarks including Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Dr., the Beverly Hills sign, iconic Farmer's Market at the Grove, The Griffith Park Observatory for a perfect selfie of the Hollywood Sign; the Hollywood walk of fame Grauman's Theatre, The Kodak Theatre, Sunset Strip, celebrity spotting and much more. Entertaining, friendly, informative and hilarious guides! Hotel pick-up and drop-off available for select tour options. We have private tour options as well!
Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach
The price you see is the price you pay, no hidden fees or surcharges. We are the top destination for whale watching in Long Beach and Los Angeles. Our custom built high speed vessels can cover waters north to Santa Monica and south to Newport Beach for maximum range coverage resulting in maximum marine life sighting success. Our fleet of state of the art vessels adhere to strict safety codes and regulations, ensuring you and your friends and family enjoy a wonderful experience out on the water. All whale watching excursions embark under the guidance of highly trained captains not only equipped to man your boat, but also to provide informative narration of the wildlife you might encounter. Marine life we encounter includes: Gray Whales (November-April), Blue Whales (may-November), and year-round we can see Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Orcas, Dolphins, Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, rare Marine Birds, and much more!
Los Angeles Bubble Planet Immersive Interactive Experience
Bubble Planet invites guests into a whimsical, immersive world where bubbles come to life through more than ten interactive environments designed to spark wonder, imagination, and play. Each themed space offers a unique sensory experience blending light, color, sound, technology, and creativity. Explore dreamlike landscapes filled with oversized bubbles, giant inflatable spheres, immersive lighting effects, digital projections, and surreal environments that transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary worlds. Journey through interactive installations, playful illusions, sensory experiences, giant ball environments, and selfie-worthy moments around every corner. Designed for visitors of all ages, Bubble Planet creates unforgettable experiences for families, couples, friends, and curious explorers alike. Option to select our VIP ticket which includes GA Entry Ticket + VR Experience + souvenir gift
Catalina Island 2-Hour Inside Adventure Tour
Spectacular canyons, a scenic coastline, and an unspoiled countryside alive with native plants and wildlife will take your breath away on this two-hour guided eco-land excursion. As you venture ten miles into the rugged interior, you will view the protected side of Catalina Island seldom seen by most visitors. Naturalist onboard enriches experience with wildlife and inside knowledge of the areas visiting during the tour.
Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus
Your Ticket to The Hollywood Hills on this Interactive Sightseeing Tour on an Open Air Bus with a Fun Driver Guide. Your Drive Guide will take you past Hollywood, Mulholland Drive, Celebrity Homes, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and more! Keep your cameras ready for great photo opportunities, and you may spot a Celebrity! Your Driver Guide will take you through Hollywood to The Hollywood Hills. You will get great views of The Hollywood Sign and The City of LA as you cruise down Mulholland Drive. You will pass by Celebrity Homes and Filming Locations on your way to Beverly Hills. When you get to Beverly Hills, you will get a 10-15-minute stop at The Beverly Hills Sign for pictures and a restroom break. We will finish with Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood, and take the Sunset Strip Back to Hollywood. This is a two-hour tour with traffic permitting. Now offering a departure from Santa Monica, with stops in Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (3.5 Hours)
Champagne & Sunset Sails
The classic romantic sunset sail in LA pairs champagne with Pacific coastline views and zero agenda. You'll hear the hull cutting through the water, feel the salt breeze pick up as you clear the marina, and watch the sky shift from gold to deep orange. These smaller sailboats typically hold 6 to 12 passengers, which means you're not sharing deck space with a crowd. Most depart from Marina del Rey's Fisherman's Village or the Burton Chace Park docks.
Expect to spend around $80 to $150 per person for a 2-hour sail. Some boats include a cheese board and two glasses of sparkling wine. Others are BYOB. A few operators let you bring your own snacks too, which is a nice touch for a low-key vibe.
What couples love about it
- •Small group means more privacy and less noise
- •Coastline views from Malibu to Palos Verdes
- •Dolphins and sea lions are common (especially spring and summer)
- •Most include a complimentary drink or two
Pro tip: Book a weekday evening if you want the smallest possible group. Weekend sails fill up fast, especially June through September. A champagne sail is also perfect if you're planning an anniversary date without the formality of a dinner cruise.
Dinner Cruises
If you want the full experience (appetizers, entree, dessert, and the LA coastline lit up at night), Los Angeles dinner cruises are the move. These run on larger vessels with indoor and outdoor seating. City Experiences (formerly Hornblower) operates the main dinner fleet out of Marina del Rey, while the Queen Mary area in Long Beach has its own options.
Budget $120 to $250 per person depending on the night and package. Friday and Saturday evenings cost more but often include live music or a DJ. The food is better than you'd expect from a boat. Plated entrees, not a sad buffet.
Best for
- Anniversaries and special occasions
- Couples who want a full evening planned
- Anyone who wants to dress up without the Nobu wait
Good to know
- Most are 2.5 to 3 hours total
- Smart casual dress code (LA casual, not club casual)
- Window seats go first, book early
If dinner cruises feel too formal for your vibe, consider a romantic date idea that's more low-key, like a sunset walk on Venice Beach followed by dinner on Abbot Kinney.
Adventure & Coastal Tours
Not every sunset cruise needs to be a sit-down affair. LA has options for couples who'd rather be doing something active. Speed boat tours, whale watching sunset combos, and kayak paddles along the coast all run during golden hour. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island sitting on the horizon like a postcard.
Whale watching sunset tours are a standout, especially December through April when gray whales migrate along the coast. You get the sunset and a chance to spot 40-ton mammals breaching. Tours run about 2 to 2.5 hours and cost $40 to $80 per person. Even outside whale season, you'll likely see dolphins, sea lions, and pelicans.
For something faster, speed boat tours out of Long Beach zip past the Queen Mary, through the breakwater, and along the coast. It's 60 to 75 minutes of salt spray hitting your face and wind loud enough that you have to lean in to talk. More fun than romantic, but if your relationship runs on shared adrenaline, this one works. Tickets run about $35 to $65 per person. Add it to your alphabet dating list under "S."
More Romantic Experiences
Helicopter tours, wine tasting flights, and scenic drives. Not all on the water, but all worth considering for an LA date.
Downtown LA Lights: Your Private Sunset and Night Helicopter Tour
Sunset, dusk and nighttime are three incredible times to see Downtown Los Angeles and its surroundings. Incredible lights and sunsets abound will make your journey one to remember! LA sunsets with the iconic downtown LA skyline are a view that you'll never forget as you may even see the Hollywood sign and a complete panorama of LA on clear sunsets. See the massive US Bank Building, the home of the Lakers, the Disney Concert Hall, LA Live and many other cool sites as you travel it comfort. Be sure to bring your camera!
Grand Los Angeles 65-Minute Helicopter Tour
The ultimate helicopter tour of Los Angeles- The Grand Tour. During this flight we offer you the best of L.A., starting with a flight west out off the San Fernando Valley and Calabasas head South into Malibu Canyon. Enjoy the natural beauty of Santa Monica Mountains and views of the Pacific Ocean and islands off the coast. Fly the coastline from Point Dume along the Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice beaches. A helicopter flight is the best way to see LA’s top attractions from a bird’s eye perspective. Fly high above Sunset Boulevard through Hollywood and get up-close views of the world famous Hollywood sign. Also on the flight enjoy the Mansions of Bel Air and Beverly Hills and a close up view around Down town LA, a day time flight there is simply no better way to see the famous (and infamous) sights of Los Angeles than from a helicopter.
Ultimate Tour of Los Angeles by Helicopter
The Ultimate Tour of Long Beach and Los Angeles takes you on a grand lap of the big city. The tour begins in Long Beach Airport and it stretches all the way to Santa Monica, Hollywood Sign and Downtown LA. Travel up the coastline of Long Beach and around San Pedro and Palos Verdes. This helicopter tour continues up the coast along the beautiful Los Angeles beaches of Torrance and Redondo Beach. After passing Manhattan Beach and the LAX International Airport the route makes a turn in Santa Monica. From Santa Monica you are flown over the 405 Freeway and the mountain top that houses the beautiful Getty Museum, by UCLA, Beverly Hills and on towards Hollywood. You'll travel by the famous Hollywood sign and Griffith Park Observatory on your way to the Dodgers Stadium and Downtown LA. This is the best way to experience the full scale of Los Angeles from the sky. This all-encompassing route will leave you feeling as though you have been reintroduced to the great city of Los Angeles.
If you want to see the coastline from above instead of the water, a helicopter tour over Los Angeles gives you the Hollywood sign, downtown skyline, and Santa Monica Pier in one flight. On rainy days or when the marine layer rolls in, our indoor date ideas have plenty of backup plans.
What to Expect on a Sunset Cruise
First-timers always ask the same things. Here's the quick rundown so you know what you're getting into. If you're looking for more structured date night planning, check our best date night ideas.
Duration
Most cruises run 1.5 to 3 hours. Sailing and champagne cruises lean shorter (90 min to 2 hours). Dinner cruises go longer (2.5 to 3 hours). Whale watching combos split the difference at about 2 to 2.5 hours.
Pricing
Budget $50 to $250 per person depending on the type. Whale watching is cheapest. Dinner cruises cost the most. Drinks are usually extra unless specifically included. LA pricing runs slightly higher than San Diego for the same type of cruise.
Photos
Bring your phone and a dry bag or zip-lock if you're on a smaller sailboat. LA sunsets are already photogenic, but from a boat with the coastline in the background? The lighting between 5:30 and 7:30 PM is ridiculous. On clear days you can see Catalina Island, which makes for a great backdrop. Tip: switch to portrait mode about 20 minutes before the sun hits the water for the best couple shots.
Departure Points
Most leave from Marina del Rey (Fisherman's Village or Dock 52). Some depart from Long Beach, Redondo Beach Harbor, or the San Pedro waterfront. Marina del Rey has the most options and easiest parking (metered lots run about $2 to $4 per hour). Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early so you're not rushing to find your slip.
Best Time of Year for Sunset Cruises
LA weather is generally kind to sunset cruises year-round, but some months are better than others. Here's the breakdown.
Peak Season (June to September)
Sunsets around 7:30 to 8:00 PM. Warmest water and air temps. Biggest crowds and highest prices. The marine layer ("June Gloom") can block sunsets in early summer, but it usually burns off by July. Book at least a week ahead.
Best for: Long, warm evenings on the water
Shoulder Season (March to May, October to November)
Sunsets around 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Fewer crowds, better prices. Weather is mild (mid-60s to low 70s). Fall months are often the clearest, with the Santa Ana winds pushing out the haze. Some of the best sunset colors happen in October.
Best for: Clear skies, better value, and smaller groups
December through February still works. Sunsets are earlier (around 5:00 PM) and it cools down fast, but winter sunsets in LA can be dramatic with high clouds and post-rain clarity. Plus, whale watching season (December to April) means you might spot gray whales migrating south. Bring a warm layer.
Tips for Couples
A few things that'll make the experience better, from people who've done it enough times to know.
Visiting LA in the cooler months? Browse our winter date ideas for backup plans that work rain or shine.
After the Cruise: Where to Eat
Most sunset cruises end around 8 PM, which means you're stepping off the boat hungry and still in the mood. Here are two pairings that work geographically and vibe-wise.
Marina del Rey Sunset Cruise
Whiskey Red's
Seafood & American $
Champagne Sunset Sail in Marina del Rey
The Warehouse Restaurant
Seafood & Steaks $$
Ready to explore Los Angeles?
Build your full LA date itinerary. Sunset cruise plus dinner, drinks, or a beach walk.
About the Author
Sarah JohnsonLead Content Writer
Sarah writes about first dates, communication, and budget-friendly dating. Her focus is practical stuff: what to say, where to go, how to not spend $200 on a Tuesday.
She tests every date idea she recommends. If it doesn't pass the "would I actually do this?" test, it doesn't make it into a guide.
View all articles by Sarah →More Date Guides
Best Sunset Cruises in San Diego
Champagne sails, dinner cruises, and kayak tours on San Diego Bay. Prices, tips, and booking links for couples.
Best Bay Cruises in San Francisco
Golden Gate sails, dinner cruises, and adventure tours on SF Bay. Prices, fog tips, and booking links.
Romantic Date Ideas for Every Budget
Sunset spots, intimate restaurants, cozy nights in. From free picnics to splurge-worthy dinners.