Simi Valley is a city in Ventura County, California with a population of around 126,000. While it is part of the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, Simi Valley has a more suburban feel and is located away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This can make meeting new people and socializing a bit more challenging compared to living in a big city like Los Angeles or San Francisco. However, there are still plenty of options for meeting new people and making connections in Simi Valley if you know where to look.
Meet people through local events and activities
A great way to meet new people in Simi Valley is to attend local community events and activities. Here are some good options:
- Attend festivals and events at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library – This library hosts various exhibits, speakers, and events throughout the year that draw locals and visitors.
- Go to concerts and shows at the Grand Vista Hotel or Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center – Music and cultural performances are a fun way to experience something new with other attendees.
- Join a local Meetup group – Meetup has groups for all kinds of interests, from hiking to board games to tech meetups. It’s free to join.
- Play sports through the Simi Valley Parks and Recreation department – They offer adult sports leagues for softball, basketball, volleyball, and more.
- Join the YMCA or another local gym – Group exercise classes and playing pickup games are good opportunities to meet people.
- Go to events at local bars and breweries – Trivia nights, open mic nights, and live music are good options.
Checking sites like Facebook Events, your local community calendar, and bulletin boards at local businesses can help you find more upcoming events and activities to consider attending.
Volunteer in the community
Volunteering is a rewarding way to meet new people who also care about giving back. Here are some volunteering ideas in Simi Valley:
- Help out at the Simi Valley Library
- Volunteer at a retirement community or senior center
- Join a neighborhood cleanup or restoration event
- Help with local animals at shelters like the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Wildlife Area
- Participate in drives for food banks and clothing donations
- Mentor or tutor students through local schools and community centers
Check volunteer sites like VolunteerMatch.org and Idealist.org to find more opportunities in your local community.
Take a class or join a club
Taking a fun class or joining a local club or recreational group is a great way to meet people who share your interests. Here are some ideas for classes to take in Simi Valley:
- Cooking, baking, wine tasting, or mixology classes
- Art, pottery, or crafting classes
- Dance classes like ballroom, salsa, or swing dancing
- Improv comedy or acting classes
- Language classes
- Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, or martial arts classes
- Photography or digital editing classes
And some local clubs or recreational groups to consider joining include:
- Hiking groups
- Book clubs
- Gardening clubs
- Classic car clubs
- Cycling groups
- Wine tasting clubs
Check community center or park district brochures for upcoming classes. Sites like Meetup.com also list local hobby groups.
Attend religious services or events
Attending religious services such as churches, synagogues, or mosques can be a way to meet people in your community who share common beliefs and values. Many faith organizations also host special events, community service activities, and classes or discussion groups that can help you get to know other attendees.
Even if you are not particularly religious, attending local religious celebrations, festivals, or cultural events can be an interesting way to gain exposure to different faiths and make new acquaintances.
Try online dating websites and apps
Online dating sites and mobile dating apps have become common ways for singles to meet new people either for casual dating or more serious relationships. Here are some popular dating sites and apps to try:
- Match.com – One of the largest dating platforms with extensive filtering options.
- OkCupid – Uses match questions to help connect compatible dates.
- Tinder – A popular geo-targeted mobile dating app great for casual dating.
- Bumble – Women-focused app where women make the first move on matches.
- Coffee Meets Bagel – Focuses on quality over quantity with limited daily matches.
- Hinge – Connects users who share Facebook friends and interests.
Be sure to stay safe when meeting online dates in person for the first time – meet in a public place and let a friend know where you’ll be. Also be upfront about what you’re looking for in your profile.
Be social at bars and pubs
Bars, pubs, and breweries can be very social places, especially during happy hours, game nights, and other lively events. Striking up conversation with patrons nearby or joining games like pool, darts, or trivia teams can lead to meeting new people. Just be responsible about drinking, especially if driving.
Some good bets for meeting people at bars in Simi Valley include:
- 8th & Rail Beer Company
- Barrelhouse 101
- Corleone’s Pizza and Bar
- Cronies Sports Grill
- El Torito
- O’Hara’s Pub
- Skeeters Brewing Company
- Social Tap
Talk to people at your local cafes and coffee shops
Coffee shops and cafes are classic places to read, work, or relax…and strike up interesting conversations. If you frequent a particular cafe or coffee shop in Simi Valley, try chatting with baristas and other regular customers you see there. You can even bring a book or do work on your laptop as an icebreaker for meeting fellow patrons.
Some cozy spots conducive to meeting people in Simi Valley include:
- Coffee Roasting Company
- Javatinis Coffee House
- Klatch Coffee
- Mom & Pop Coffee Shop
- Starbucks
Just be mindful not to interrupt people who seem busy working or reading.
Attend industry and career networking events
There are often local networking events and professional association meetings in most cities focused on career development and making connections in different industries. These are great for meeting like-minded professionals in your field.
Resources for finding networking events and professional associations in Simi Valley include:
- Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Ventura County Career Network
- Online networking sites like Meetup.com and Eventbrite
Come prepared with business cards and an elevator pitch about yourself and your work. Follow up with any promising connections.
Look for social groups on your college campus
If you are a college student at one of Simi Valley’s universities, like Cal Lutheran University or Kaplan College, take advantage of all the social opportunities on campus to meet new friends with similar interests and backgrounds. Join student clubs, attend campus events and activities, chat with people in your classes, and connect with classmates through social media.
Here are some tips for meeting people on a college campus:
- Sit with different classmates each week to get exposure to more people.
- Attend study groups to meet academically motivated students.
- Join diverse student organizations from cultural clubs to fraternities/sororities.
- Sign up for intramural sports teams to bond over athletics.
- Participate in campus community service and philanthropy events.
- Make friends with your dorm neighbors if living on campus.
- Bond with classmates over common stresses and studying for big exams!
Take your dog to a local dog park
If you have a dog, visiting one of Simi Valley’s dog parks can be a fun way to meet and bond with other dog owners in your area. You already have your pup and love of dogs in common! Some popular dog parks in Simi Valley include:
- Rancho Madera Community Dog Park
- Rancho Santa Susana Dog Park
- Sequoia Dog Park
Bring toys like tennis balls to help facilitate playtime and interaction between the dogs and their humans. Exchanging tips on dog ownership, training, and local pet businesses can lead to friendships outside the dog park as well.
Chat with neighbors in your apartment complex/neighborhood
Don’t underestimate the power of simply getting to know those who live nearest to you, like the neighbors in your apartment building or residential neighborhood. Say hello and introduce yourself when you pass people on the sidewalk or in the laundry room. You can bond over niche issues affecting your direct community, like dealing with lawn care or noise concerns.
Some tips for getting to know your own neighbors better:
- Organize a neighborhood potluck picnic or barbecue
- Host game nights or movie nights for neighbors to attend
- Offer to share fresh garden produce or baked goods
- Volunteer for neighborhood improvement projects
- Join neighborhood Facebook groups and email lists
- Offer to help neighbors with errands if elderly or disabled
Strike up conversations in your daily life
Don’t underestimate the power of having friendly interactions with those you encounter as part of your regular daily routines. Chatting with the barista who makes your coffee every day, the fellow commuter you see on your morning bus, or the grocery cashier you frequent can lead to natural conversations and acquaintances, if not friendships down the line.
Here are some tips for being more social in daily life:
- Smile, make eye contact, and have open body language
- Give sincere compliments on something unique, like a cool tattoo
- Ask questions and be a good listener during conversations
- Talk about situational common ground like long checkout lines
- Follow up on previous conversations with familiar faces
Being friendly takes little effort but can make your community interactions much more social and fulfilling.
Conclusion
Making new connections and meeting people in a smaller suburban city like Simi Valley simply requires putting yourself out there consistently through local events, clubs, classes, and your daily routines. Try out some of the ideas above to fill your social calendar with new potential friendships. The more engaged you are in your community, the more opportunities you’ll have to meet new people who enrich your life.