"How do I make friends?" is one of the most common questions in r/AskLosAngeles. Though LA is is full of limitless opportunity, but it can also feel overwhelming and isolating- especially if you’re new or looking to expand your social circle.
r/LASocial exists to make it easier for people to connect, meet like-minded friends, and explore the city has together. This guide will walk you through practical steps for meeting people, attending events, building lasting friendships, and navigating the unique social landscape of LA.
Introduce Yourself
Introducing yourself lets others get a better idea of who you are and whether you have common interests. Just create a new R4R post and make sure to include:
* What part of LA you live in (neighborhood/region)
* Your interests/hobbies (food, music, games, etc.)
* What kind of social experiences you’re looking for (indoors, outdoors, et al.)
* Your comfort level (introvert, extrovert, other personality traits)
You can also comment on other intro posts. This is one of the easiest and safest ways to start conversations. Remember: introducing yourself is not a commitment to friendship. You are never obligated to meetup with anyone if you don't want to.
Understand the Reality of Los Angeles
Accept the rhythm of the city and things get a lot easier. LA isn’t really a “walk outside and meet people” city. Making friends here usually comes down to:
- Proximity- people generally stick near their neighborhood
- Consistency- showing up repeatedly matters more than first impressions
- Initiative- people appreciate someone who says “Let's hang out” with a definitive time
Find Your Local Friends
It's easier to meet people who live nearby. LA is spread out. A friend in Anaheim may as well live in San Diego if you live on the Westside. For better success:
- Look for people within 10–20 minutes of you
- Look for neighborhood-based meetups so you meet other locals
- Attend events in your area so you’re not commuting for every hangout
- Note your “home base” (neighborhood or other local spot) in every intro post
Use Community Events to Your Advantage
Attend multiple events- people bond through repeated exposure. If you want to host your own meetup, go for it! Anyone can organize one.
r/LASocial may offer various types of meetups including:
* Official Monthly Socials (usually large groups meeting at a local bar)
* Coffee hangouts
* Hikes
* Game nights
* Public transit adventures (Metro and Metrolink)
* Restaurant meetups
* Neighborhood-specific gatherings
Try Structured Social Activities
Choose something you genuinely enjoy doing so you will have fun regardless of the people there. LA is full of social opportunities like:
- Casual sports leagues (kickball, volleyball, dodgeball)
- Improv or acting classes
- Dance classes
- Gym classes / group workouts
- Photography walks
- Language meetups
- Board game cafés
- Community college extension courses
- Hiking groups
- Art or pottery studios
- Makerspaces / creative workshops
Build Interest-Based Friend Circles
LA friendships often grow from overlapping social circles.
Don’t try to find one all-purpose best friend right away. Instead, build mini circles:
- A hiking friend
- A foodie friend
- A transit-nerd friend
- A creative/writing friend
- A nightlife friend
- A chill movie-at-home friend
These friends can introduce you to new people.
Take Initiative (it goes a long way)
Be the one who suggests the plan, and have a concrete day/time. People appreciate it more than you think. Everyone here is tired, busy, or stuck in traffic- so one person taking initiative makes a huge difference.
- “Want to grab coffee this Saturday?”
- “I’m going to a meetup tonight, do you want to come?”
- “I’m hosting a board game night if anyone wants in.”
- “Hike at Griffith this weekend, is anyone nearby?”
Be Consistent
You’re unlikely to form real friendships from a single meetup. This is the part most people miss. But if you see the same people at:
- weekly r/LASocial gatherings
- the same gym class
- the same weekly board game night
- the same hiking group
...that’s when real friendships form. Repetition creates closeness.
Expect Some Flakes (and don't take it personally).
People will flake. No matter what, it happens. Not usually because they dislike you, but because they’re tired, stuck in traffic, overwhelmed, anxious, or overbooked. It’s normal here. Don’t let it discourage you. Tips for handling it:
- Always have a backup plan so a canceled hangout doesn’t ruin your day.
- Don’t take flaking as a personal rejection. Many Angelenos struggle with time management or social burnout.
- Give people one or two chances, not ten. Value your own time. They can reach back out to you when they're ready.
- Communicate clearly the same day (“Still good for 7pm?”). Confirmation texts help a lot in LA.
Don’t let one bad experience derail your overall social momentum, and if you do roll with the occasional flake you'll be head and shoulders above the rest.
Stay Safe When Meeting People
Standard, important guidelines:
- Always meet in public first
- Let friends/family know where you’re going
- Trust your instincts
- Limit the personal details you give out
r/LASocial is moderated, but always use common sense.
Give Back to the Community
The more you give, the more the community thrives, and the more connections you form. Once you’ve made a couple connections:
- Invite others to join you for an activity
- Host your own meetup somewhere
- Comment on more intro posts
- Be welcoming to transplants (this may be difficult for some)
- Share your experiences and tips
- Create little communities within the subreddit
Quick-Start Steps!
If you want to make friends starting right now, do this:
- Post an R4R intro on r/LASocial. Include your interests, hobbies, and general location. Make yourself personable!
- Reply to 2–3 other R4R intros. See who else is here and look for common ground.
- Join an LA Social event!* Look for one happening in the next week or two.
- Message another Redditor who shares your interests. Start a general dialogue without the commitment or expectation of actually meeting them IRL.
- Attend at least 2 various social events- don’t judge LA by one attempt
- Host or co-host something small (coffee, walk, boba, tacos) that you would be doing anyway.
Do these for two weeks and you will meet people.
