Those of us who put “make new friends” on our 2025 resolutions list may have already realized that, as an adult, finding your people isn’t always easy. One nearly foolproof approach, though? Start with what you love. San Diego is chock-full of groups celebrating and exploring all sorts of interests, from beers and birds to walking and wellness. As soon as you find one that appeals, put yourself out there—head to a club meeting and say hi to a crowd that might contain your future bestie. We’ve rounded up more than 20 local social groups, events, and other resources to get you started on making new pals in San Diego.
Creative Mornings
A worldwide organization with local chapters, including one in SD, Creative Mornings hosts in-person events and “virtual field trips” for creatives. On the last Friday of every month, the San Diego branch meets for coffee and conversation around a unique monthly theme at the San Diego Central Library.
San Diego Dreamers
This wellness-focused women’s group hosts regular monthly get-togethers centered around journaling and creative expression. San Diego Dreamers founders Hannah Brooks and Victoria Diehl are both licensed therapists ready to guide attendees through writing prompts aimed at exploration and introspection. Bring your notebook, your favorite pen, and an open mind. You’ll leave feeling a deeper closeness to yourself and your new dreamer friends.
San Diego Adventure Hub
The San Diego Adventure Hub is the perfect fit for those who enjoy hiking but feel intimidated exploring new trails by themselves. The group hosts regular hiking meetups across San Diego County—no RSVP needed. Hike at your own pace and meet lots of friendly fellow attendees along the path and at the final meeting spot.
San Diego Girls Who Walk
San Diego Girls Who Walk is a free women’s club that hosts monthly strolls and social gatherings. In addition to walks throughout the city (which start with icebreakers so you can start chatting before you hit the trail), the group’s events include brunches, book swaps, and happy hours.
Pacific Puzzlers
Is Pacific Puzzlers the missing piece in your social life? Four times a month, the group hosts competitions to see who can complete a puzzle the fastest. Aspiring speed puzzlers can register as an individual to be assigned a team—just make sure to nab a spot ASAP, as events tend to sell out.
Let’s Play a Game Foundation
Let’s Play a Game Foundation is a non-profit organization building community over board games. It holds recurring monthly Board Game and Booch nights at Local Roots’ Vista Taproom. Bring your favorite game to share or explore one of theirs. The group also offers opportunities to volunteer with partnered organizations like the Solana Beach Community Connection Supporting Seniors, the South Bay Youth Center, and the San Diego Center for Children.
Join a Run Club
Looking to combine that social goal with your fitness resolution? Find an accountability buddy by joining a local run club. As one of America’s most active cities (it’s true!), we’ve got an almost dizzying amount—here’s a handful to consider:
- South O Run Club meets Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. at South O Brewery in Oceanside.
- Seek Beer Run Club meets Mondays at 6 p.m. at North Park’s Seek Beer Co. for—you guessed it—a run and a beer.
- Not a Run Club—a self-professed “social club that likes to run”—hosts twice-weekly runs near Mission Bay.
- Coastal Run Club meets along the coast in Cardiff and Leucadia on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., Fridays at 6:30 a.m., and Sundays at 7:30 a.m.
- Chula Vista Run Club meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Memorial Park in Chula Vista.
- Flow State Run Club runs every Saturday at 8 a.m. in Oceanside and offers one-, three-, and five-mile routes.
- SD Girls Run Club hosts runs on Mondays at 6:30 pm in Imperial Beach, as well as walk-and-talk events throughout San Diego County.
- Chismosas Run Club is a women-focused group in Escondido that welcomes all levels and organizes several meetups a month.
- Black Men Run SD meets on Saturdays at 7:15 a.m. and Thursdays at 6 p.m.
- Lez Run SD is a lesbian-led, all-inclusive running and walking club that gathers every Thursday at 6 p.m. in North Park.
Volo Sports
Nothing solidifies a bond like the high of winning a game together—except maybe commiserating together when you lose. Volo Sports San Diego is a popular org behind many social sports leagues and events, from traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, and kickball to elevated party games like flip cup. Volo offers monthly and annual memberships that get you onto teams and into pickup games, tournaments, and social events like happy hours.
San Diego Girls Pint Out
San Diego Girls Pint Out (GPO) is the local chapter of a nationwide network of beer-loving ladies. GPO hosts monthly meetups exploring the many breweries across San Diego. You don’t have to officially become a member, pay dues, or even know a thing about beer to participate in the group’s crafting events, game nights, brewery tours, and collaborative brew days, where you can learn how beer is made.
Hoppy Yoga
Want to pregame your buzz with a little movement? Enter Hoppy Yoga. Detox before you retox with an all-levels class inside a brewery, followed by a social hour where you are welcome to partake in a beer or NA beverage option. Classes are donation-based and BYOM (bring your own mat).
Pure Brewing Miramar’s Book Club
If you’re typically at home with your nose in a book, consider joining Pure Brewing Miramar’s Book Club. This highly organized group of enthusiastic readers votes on a book to read each month, then gather at the taproom to discuss it. (Plus, attendance comes with discounts on brews.)
Fourtillfour Car Club
The Fourtillfour Car Club hosts meetups on weekends to spotlight unique vehicles and vintage machines. The group’s meetups outside of the auto-themed Leucadia café Fourtillfour are like a car show without the entry fee. Gearheads gather, socialize, and peruse and praise one another’s vehicles while sipping on gourmet roasts.
Chicks Birding Club
Birds of a feather flock together, and Chicks Birding Club is proof. This group of nature-loving women meets for monthly, guided birding walks through San Diego’s many nature preserves and regional parks. Or, grab your lawn chair and binoculars to join the Chicks group at a planned Sit Spot to observe birds in their natural habitat and watch for unique species.
IRL San Diego
IRL San Diego founder Alexandra Hunter organizes meetups like comedy show nights, cooking demos, and fitness events. You can catch IRL regulars (and get closer each time) at recurring events like the org’s 619 Night parties and monthly coffee walks.
Walkabout
Walkabout is a community-driven app that helps users find events and deals at local businesses. Each time you attend an event or check in at a partnered business, you earn loyalty points to spend on fun items or discounts at your favorite spots for drinks and food. The idea is to get to know your neighbors while frequenting the hangout spots you love. Walkabout features events like game nights, paint-and-sips, networking mixers, and coffee shop meetups.
Mingle IRL
The easiest way to find something to do right now? Mingle IRL. The app aggregates events from social groups around town, including bonfires, comedy nights, fitness classes, brunch meetups, pickleball, and puppy yoga. If you have an idea for a fun get-together, you can host an event and invite other Mingle IRL members. Don’t have anyone to go to a concert with? Join up with Mingle IRL users who also got tickets.
All Peers No Pressure
All Peers No Pressure is a social club for sober or sober-curious folks looking to build community outside bars and other booze-centric spaces. The group hosts substance-free bonfires, hikes, picnics, and other events, with a focus on people between the ages of 21 and 40.
San Diego Social Club
San Diego Social Club is a great place to find new buds—and almost any activity you’re looking for. This women-focused group hosts vision board–making and flower-arranging workshops, co-working meetups, surf camps and boat rides, and even overnight retreats where you can relive summer camp.
San Diego City College
The hottest (but most surprising) social club in town? School. At San Diego City College, adult learners are diving back into education, exploring subjects that light them up, and meeting fellow enthusiasts in the process. Your study group might just become your new squad.
Wild Willow Farm
Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people and feel more connected to the place where you live. Choose your cause based on your passions: Into gardening and agriculture? Grab your gardening gloves and help plant fresh fruits and vegetables at Wild Willow Farm, a regenerative and educational farm along the Tijuana River. Pet person? Snuggle and care for the feline residents of Whiskers and Wine Bar cat café and lounge, or take the Frosted Faces Foundation’s sweet senior dogs for walks in Ramona. Chances are you’ll make human friends as well as flora or furry ones.
