Romance is where you make it. Anything can be romantic, if done right. However, if you want to create a special moment with a view, then the hills or the beach are where you want to start.

Mulholland Drive is beautiful, but might be a bit dicey if you are shooting for a romantic moment. There are lots of kids up there, parking, driving fast, etc. I would **** for one of them to ruin the moment.

Griffith Observatory. Excellent views of LA, easy to get to. However, a recent fire has closed some of the trails in the park.

Catalina is muy romantico. Dance to Big Bands at Catalina Casino Ballroom & Theatre. Dress up and return to the glamorous big band days for a special night in the Casino Ballroom where art deco murals and Tiffany chandeliers adorn the 12-story icon. New Year’s Eve and the Catalina Island Jazz Festival are premier happenings. Catalina Island. (800) 626-5440. or

Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl: Enjoy picnicking amidst rolling hills with legendary performers providing live music – the perfect way to relax with loved ones. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000.

Hold Hands at the Norton Simon Museum: Hold hands while strolling through a city block of prestigious artwork. Then, step outside to experience the tranquil garden. The original garden, called “Carmelita,” was planted in the 1870s with donors such as John Muir contributing to the inspirational collection. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626) 449-6840.

Cruise on a Gondola Getaway: Take a moonlight cruise around lovely Naples Island with wine, cheese, salami and bread while a singing gondolier or CD serenades you. Gondola Getaway began as the marketing project of a university student, who later traveled to Italy to perfect his growing business. 5437 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach (562) 433-9595.

Nuzzle on the Pacific Wheel Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier: Experience local flavor, balmy breezes and stunning views (especially at night) while nuzzling on this nine-story Ferris wheel over the ocean. Pacific Wheel is the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, requiring conventional electricity only on cloudy days. 200 Santa Monica Pier. (888) 713-0082.

Get into the Sand at Paradise Cove Beach: Sip fancy drinks or hot cocoa while wiggling your toes in the sand on this private beach. Parking is pricey, but validation is offered for diners. A popular spot for filmmakers for decades. Paris Hilton’s latest music video was shot here. 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 457-2503 for café adjacent to beach)

Take in all of L.A. from Temescal Gateway Park: An early morning hike here is a lovely way to wake up together. Ridge-top views of the city, coastline and ocean are breathtaking (once the smoke from the fires clear out), as are the meandering creek and waterfall along the way. 15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades (310) 454-1395.

Restaurants to Fill Out the Day:

Saddle Peak Lodge: A rustic former hunting lodge, the now-upscale restaurant is nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains. It offers exotic, meaty fare. (Luxury) 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas, (877) 869-1365.

Yamashiro: Cal-Asian delicacies atop a Hollywood Hills perch provide an incomparable setting, especially while watching the sun go down over L.A. (Luxury) 1999 North Sycamore Ave., Hollywood (323) 466-5125.

Hotels to Complete the Night

Casa Malibu Inn: Enchanting rooms and breathtaking views (plus an attentive staff) make this hotel a must. Fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves. (Reasonable) 22752 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. (310) 456-2219, (800) 831-0858

Hotel Bel-Air: This is the ultimate tranquil getaway in mid-Los Angeles. Lush gardens surround plushly designed rooms for the utmost in seclusion. (Luxury) 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles. (310) 472-1211.

The Chinese Theatre

You can’t go wrong with a beachside restaurant like Duke’s or Geoffrey’s in Malibu. A nice skyline is also romantic – Yamashiro is the first spot that comes to mind. Marina Del Rey has nice evening harbor cruises and lastly Inn of the Seventh Ray is the site of many proposals.