From Trivia Nights to Skate Dates, These San Diego Activities Are the Perfect Ways to Meet People
We’ve all been there—endless swiping, boring text conversations, maybe a real-life meetup, if you’re lucky. The dating apps are great in theory, promising endless new connections at your fingertips, but in practice, they can be exhausting and disappointing.
If you’re on the hunt for a serious, long-term connection, odds are you’re not hitting up bars and clubs for romance anymore. Are you craving a real-life meet cute? Wonder how to make that happen in this digital age? We’ve rounded up 10 social activities in San Diego where you might just find the one.
Trivia Nights at PB Shore Club
When: Every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and every first Tuesday of the month from 8-10 p.m.
Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Hang loose at PB Shore Club’s weekly Tuesday Trivia Nights for a bit of friendly banter and discounted drinks. More importantly, it’s the perfect way to spot that potential tall, dark and smart stranger who might just be your next boo. This buzzing beach grill keeps players’ minds (and cups) fresh in between rounds with half-off select draft beers and $6 Ketel One and Crown Royal pours. The competition gets real at these weekly social mixers, but they turn downright dirty on the first Tuesday of every month. Swing by their Dirty Trivia Night for live DJs, dirty games and even dirtier prizes!
Location: Pacific Beach
Adult Art Classes at The Artist Outpost
When: See the class calendar for dates and times.
If love is an art, sign us up for all the art classes at The Artist Outpost. Their Paint Your Pet and Resin Pouring workshops (Fridays, 7-9 p.m.) are the perfect way to weave in a crafty intro to that one artist who catches your eye. This vibrant art studio keeps things cool and casual with low-key social mixers, like Saturday craft workshops and paint nights. Whether you were born with an artist’s hand or specialize strictly in stick figures, they host classes for creatives of all backgrounds and skill levels. Try your hand at oil painting in a six-class series or master the art of stained glass in a one-time workshop.
Location: Ocean Beach
Sunday Omakase Nights at Longplay Hifi
When: Every last Sunday of the month from 12-3 p.m.
Who else agrees that coffee is a love language? All those who relate, head over to Longplay Hifi, where you may fall in love with more than just a shot of espresso. Pencil Sunday Omakase Nights into your weekend plans for a fun evening outing that features coffee and tea, boozy beverages, light snacks and a 100% vinyl soundtrack from visiting selectors. This hub in Sherman Heights partners with local purveyors to host monthly tasting events that feature a rotating spread of off-menu coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages and food pairings. The vibes are always on point at Longplay Hifi, with mood-setting music on vinyl from visiting artists—a more than perfect setup for a meet-cute, we’d say!
Location: Sherman Heights
Adult Night at Ringer’s Roller Rink
When: Every Thursday from 7-10 p.m.
If you’re looking for someone who’s not afraid to be silly and have some fun, Adult Night at Ringer’s is the place for you. Channel your inner child without actually sharing the rink with children on Adult Night, every Thursday from 7-10 p.m. Ringer’s is an outdoor rink with a live DJ, perfect for those lovely San Diego evenings. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find someone to hold hands with as you dance around the loop. And, if not, we promise you’ll still have a great time.
Location: Encanto
Join a Volo Sports League
When: See the daily sports calendar for dates and times.
We won’t beat around the bush here. This one is tried and true. Lots of people have met their significant others through joining a Volo Sports League. Why? Think about it. It really is the perfect setup. They’re designed for people who want to be active and social. They have different leagues for different needs, whether you’re an expert looking to meet your match or a beginner looking to try something new. No matter your skill level, the goal is to make new friends (or maybe more than friends?). They offer 12 different sports throughout the year in locations all around San Diego, many followed by happy hours for extra mingle time. You can join a league with friends or as an individual, and you’ll meet once a week to get active and have some fun. They provide the location and equipment, so all you need to do is get excited and show up. Trust us, team bonding is real. For more information on Volo Sports’ spring leagues, click here!
Local Insight: Not ready to commit to a league? Volo Sports offers pick-up games six days a week, so you can drop in and play! Players can lace up their cleats and jump into games like pickleball, soccer, volleyball and more.
Locations: Across San Diego
First Light Surf Club
When: Every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 a.m.
If you live in San Diego, the odds are pretty high that you love to surf. And if surfing is your thing, odds are also high that you’d love a partner who shares your passion. Sure, you can meet people out on the water, but what if there was an easier way? First Light Surf Club was created with community in mind: a place for dawn patrol surf, warm coffee and making connections. Attend a monthly SIP & RIP (every third Thursday of the month) at Turnarounds Beach in Carlsbad, and the rest just might be history.
Location: Carlsbad
Events at SUP Pups
When: See the events page for dates and times.
“I’ll know you’re the one… if my dog likes you” is a common Hinge prompt response for a reason. Dog owners know that some things are just nonnegotiable. If you’d like to cut to the chase and meet a fellow dog lover, check out SUP Pups events and fundraisers on San Diego Bay, all in support of local charities. Don’t know how to paddleboard with a pup yet? Book a private lesson first so you and your pup are ready for action.
Location: San Diego Bay
Take Your Pup to The Dog Society
When: See the events calendar for dates and times.
Love your pup but not quite up for water sports? The Dog Society is a sports bar, cafe and beer garden designed for pets and their owners to socialize, play games and enjoy each other’s company. They have a human menu with coffee, craft beers and yummy bar food and a dog menu with flights of “dog beer” (pork, beef and vegetable). They also host breed-specific meetups like Frenchie Friday and Weenie Wednesday. Maybe we’ll have not one, but two meet cutes on our hands!
Location: Rolando Park
Membership at Maek Friends
When: Apply for a membership here to learn about class availability.
Looking for someone crafty? Maybe you’re attracted to people who aren’t afraid of taking up hobbies and trying something new. Maek Friends is a membership-based pottery studio in downtown Encinitas that welcomes people of all skill levels. It’s connected to Necessity Coffee, the perfect place to sneak away for a coffee date once you’ve met your match. You know that famous scene from “Ghost” where Patrick Swayze has his arms around Demi Moore, guiding her hands on the pottery wheel? Yeah, that could be you.
Location: Ocean Beach and Encinitas
