The 11 Best Proposal Spots in Los Angeles

 
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Los Angeles is one of the most romantic cities in the world, offering everything from timeless ocean views and European-inspired gardens to iconic architecture and quiet corners tucked away from the bustle.

Whether you’re planning a surprise proposal during a weekend getaway or you’re a local dreaming of a meaningful location to pop the question, LA has no shortage of unforgettable settings.

In this guide, I’m sharing the 11 Best Proposal Spots in Los Angeles, each unique in its own way. From sweeping cliffside sunsets to rose-filled gardens, these locations offer beautiful light, dreamy landscapes, and the perfect atmosphere for the moment you’ll remember forever.

 
 

11 Best Proposal Spots in Los Angeles

1. Malibu

Malibu is easily one of the best proposal spots in Los Angeles, and it offers a little bit of everything, rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, and stunning mountain views.

Couples who prefer something classic can propose on the sand or cliffside, like at El Matador, Leo Carrillo, or Point Dume, while those wanting a more playful vibe can head to the Malibu Pier, where soft morning light and ocean views create a dreamy, coastal atmosphere.

What makes Malibu truly special is how many different moods you can create in one small area. For something elegant and elevated, Malibu’s wineries, like Cielo Farms or the vineyards tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains, offer a warm, intimate setting with rolling hills and romantic golden-hour views.

Learn More About Malibu Beach Proposals

Best Proposal Spots in Los Angeles. A couple embraces on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean in Malibu at sunset, with soft golden light, gentle waves below, and seagulls flying over the water.

The Ultimate Malibu Beach Proposal Guide

Plan the perfect Malibu beach proposal with this ultimate guide! Find the best locations, proposal tips, and romantic ideas to create an unforgettable moment.

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2. Venice Canals

The Venice Canals feel like stepping into a hidden European village tucked inside Los Angeles. With arched pedestrian bridges, charming pathways lined with flowers, and still water reflecting the pastel sky, it’s one of the most whimsical and peaceful places for a proposal. Everything about the space feels romantic, making it perfect for couples who want a quiet, storybook moment without leaving the city.

Because the area is mostly residential, mornings and weekdays offer the best privacy. You can propose on one of the bridges, along a quiet walkway, or under the trees with the water behind you. And afterward, you’ll have countless charming corners for engagement photos that feel light, intimate, and timeless.

3. Santa Monica Pier

If you’re dreaming of a fun, nostalgic, and the ultimate Southern California vibe for your proposal, the Santa Monica Pier is a beautiful choice. It has everything, ocean views, soft pastel skies at sunset, and the iconic Ferris wheel glowing in the distance at night. The beach here offers a lively, playful atmosphere, making it perfect for couples who want their proposal to feel joyful and full of energy.

Sunset is the most beautiful time at the pier. After the proposal, you can take photos along the boardwalk, at the water’s edge, or with the pier lights behind you for a perfect mix of romance and classic LA charm.

4. Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is one of Los Angeles’ most enchanting botanical escapes, and it naturally lends itself to quiet, intimate proposals. With oak forests, camellia-lined pathways, and seasonal blooms throughout the year, the gardens are super serene and timeless.

Because the gardens are so vast, it’s easy to get away from the crowds and propose with just the two of you. You can choose a tucked-away spot among the roses, beneath a shaded canopy of trees, or beside the peaceful ponds. After the “yes,” you’ll have acres of beautiful trails to wander for soft, dreamy photos among the flowers.

5. LA Arboretum

The Los Angeles County Arboretum is lush, tropical, and full of character, an ideal location for couples who love the feeling of being completely surrounded by nature. With waterfalls, bamboo forests, and free-roaming peacocks, the Arboretum offers one of the most diverse landscapes in LA, making every part of it feel like a different world.

It’s a wonderful choice for couples who want a relaxed, romantic atmosphere without the bustle of the city. There are countless quiet spots tucked between the trees or along the water’s edge.

6. South Coast Botanical Garden

The South Coast Botanical Garden is a hidden gem filled with open meadows, seasonal flowers, and peaceful walking paths, perfect for couples who want a calm and romantic proposal surrounded by nature. Throughout the year, the garden transforms with different blooms, from spring cherry blossoms and tulips to lush summer roses and colorful fall foliage.

Its quiet atmosphere makes it easy to find a private moment to propose, even on weekends. The wide, open spaces give photos an airy, elegant feel, and the variety of landscapes provides beautiful options for engagement portraits after the big moment. It’s truly one of the most versatile botanical locations in LA.

7. Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory offers one of the most iconic views in Los Angeles, with sweeping panoramas of the city skyline, the Hollywood sign, and the surrounding hills. It’s a stunning place to propose if you’re drawn to dramatic landscapes and that classic LA sparkle. Whether you choose sunrise for peaceful solitude or sunset for glowing city lights, the observatory will definitely make your proposal photos show stopping.

Because the area can get busy, timing is everything. Early mornings or weekday evenings create a more intimate atmosphere and let you enjoy the breathtaking views without distraction. Afterward, you can take engagement photos overlooking the city, wandering the terraces, or exploring the surrounding trails.

8. Greystone Mansion

Greystone Mansion feels grand, elegant, and timeless. Every corner truly looks like it belongs in a classic film. With manicured courtyards, stone architecture, fountains, and sweeping staircases, the estate has a romantic, old-world charm that’s rare to find in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect location for couples who want their proposal to feel luxurious, refined, and cinematic.

Because the grounds are spacious, it’s easy to find quiet spots tucked between gardens or along the pathways. Greystone photographs beautifully year-round, offering breathtaking backdrops for engagement portraits immediately after the proposal.

9. Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a proposal location for couples who appreciate art, architecture, and clean, modern design. Its iconic stainless-steel curves catch the light in the most beautiful ways, creating soft reflections and a dreamy glow, especially at sunrise or right before sunset.

The space is sleek and contemporary, giving your photos a chic editorial look. It’s easy to find secluded corners along the exterior pathways for a private proposal moment. Afterward, you can explore the rooftop garden, mirrored surfaces, and flowing architectural lines for an engagement session that is sophisticated and one-of-a-kind.

10. The Getty Villa

The Getty Villa feels like stepping into a Mediterranean estate on the coast of Italy. With columned walkways, quiet courtyards, reflecting pools, and lush landscaping, the entire space has a serene and romantic ambiance perfect for a proposal.

Proposing here feels intimate, especially in the outer peristyle garden or beside the long reflecting pool lined with flowers.

  • Note: The Getty Villa does not allow professional photography.

11. Exposition Park Rose Garden

The Exposition Park Rose Garden is one of the most romantic spots in LA when the roses are in bloom. With thousands of vibrant petals, fountains, and pathways lined with color, the garden is soft, cheerful, and absolutely stunning. It’s a picture-perfect choice for couples who love flowers, color, and classic romance.

The best proposals here happen from spring through early fall, when the garden is most full. You can propose beside a fountain, surrounded by the roses, or along one of the wide walkways. Afterward, the gardens create a dreamy backdrop for bright, whimsical engagement photos.

 

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About Megan W Photography

Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.

Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.

Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.

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