How to make new friends in Los Angeles and San Francisco
Updated October 9, 2026
Making friends as an adult in a big, spread-out city is hard, and almost everyone who just moved to LA or San Francisco says so. The good news: the people who crack it tend to do the same few things. Here they are.
What actually works
1. Show up to the same thing, again and again
Friendships come from seeing the same faces. A weekly run club, a sports league, a class, trivia night at one bar, a volunteer shift. Pick one or two and go every week for a couple of months.
2. Join groups built around something you like
Hiking, board games, book clubs, pickleball, dancing, film, food. A shared activity takes the pressure off small talk, and groups by interest exist for almost anything in both cities.
3. Become a regular somewhere
A coffee shop, a neighborhood bar, a gym. Staff and other regulars start to recognize you, and conversations happen on their own.
4. Find your community
If you're LGBTQ+, community centers, queer sports leagues, and bars with game, karaoke or trivia nights are easy places to meet people. See our guides to West Hollywood, Silver Lake and Downtown LA, the Castro and Oakland.
5. Turn "we should hang out" into a plan
Most new friendships die in the chat. Suggest a specific time and place ("trivia Thursday at 8?") and it actually happens. Then invite them to the next thing.
6. Use an app made for friends, not only dating
Look for one where you can say you want friends, see people nearby who want the same, join groups, and plan a real meetup.
LA vs SF: small differences
- Los Angeles is spread out, so pick activities near home or work. Neighborhood-based groups and regular spots matter more than one big night out.
- San Francisco is compact and walkable, and outdoor groups, run clubs and neighborhood bars make it easy to see the same people often.
How the app helps
In Let's Have Fun Together you choose what you're looking for (friends, going out, groups, dating, or all of it), see who's nearby with only a rough distance, join groups by city and interest, and send a "Meet up tonight" invite with a time and a real place. It's 18+, and at launch everyone verifies with an ID and a live selfie.
Venue details were checked on October 9, 2026 from each venue's own site, official tourism and city pages, and well-known city guides (Eater LA, Time Out, Visit Palm Springs, Visit Oakland, Visit Sacramento, Fabulous Hillcrest). Hours, cover and theme nights change often, so check the venue's own page or social account before you go. Bars and clubs are usually 21+ with ID. We are not affiliated with any venue listed.
Questions
How do adults make friends in Los Angeles?
Pick a recurring activity close to home (a league, class, run club or trivia night), go every week, become a regular somewhere, and turn chats into specific plans.
Is there an app to make friends, not date?
Yes. In Let's Have Fun Together you can choose friends or going out instead of dating, join groups, and plan meetups at real places.
Where can LGBTQ+ people make friends in LA or SF?
Community centers, queer sports leagues, and bars with game, karaoke or trivia nights are easy starts. See our neighborhood guides for WeHo, Silver Lake, the Castro and Oakland.