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Meeting People
updated: Apr 28, 2011, 6:12 AM
It's Spring and I know that there are a lot of activities available around town and
I'm looking for some recommendations that will help me meet people in Santa
Barbara.
I'm not sporty, but have been told that my analytical mind would be
great for a baseball team who needs someone to keeps stats (of course I'd have
to know more than you need a ball and bat), I like hiking, volunteering for
something might be cool too. I'm really open and just need some recommendations and maybe someone to meet up at an event if possible. (Hate
going alone.)
I just turned 40 if this helps narrow down the activities.
Places People Are Talking About:
What People Are Saying:
COMMENT 168359P
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2011-04-28 06:17 AM |
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I have met the best people at RussaYog and Yoga Soup studios. There are classes for everyone and the people are great!
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COMMENT 168362
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2011-04-28 06:23 AM |
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Try Sierra club hikes, adult ed. There is a newcomers group. Lots of volunteer opportunities, look at all the organizations and give them a call to volunteer. . Good luck and welcome!
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COMMENT 168373P
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2011-04-28 07:04 AM |
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You don't have to be sporty to join a group activity/sport. When I first came to the area I started paddling with one of the local outrigger clubs. This is a great group of folks, of all persuasions, ages, and walks of life, and it's a fun and healthy activity anyone can learn. Hiking clubs are a great idea as well. We have met some awesome people through our children's sporting activities as well.
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COMMENT 168388
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2011-04-28 07:29 AM |
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If the OP likes to shoot pool, the Santa Barbara Pool League will be signing up teams for the summer season at Break Time on Tuesday May 24th (5:30pm). Just show up, let them know you want to join, and they will do their best to fit you on a team. Oh, and there is free food and a free tournament as well that night. The 8-ball league is a great place to meet a lot of interesting people. The league is incredibly varied. There's lawyers, teachers, doctors, engineers, construction workers, mechanics, etc. (and the occasional random unemployed barfly) And it's not all guys. About 15% of the league is female.
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COMMENT 168392
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2011-04-28 07:37 AM |
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I have been volunteering at the S.B. Elks Lodge for the past 3 years and have met many great folks. The nice thing is you can volunteer in a wide variety of things, and if what you have selected gets old or you want to try something else it's easy becasuse there are so many areas to volunteer in. Thursday nights are good to show folks around as there is Bingo in the main hall and members have burgers and dogs out on the back patio. I would be happy to show you the digs sometime.
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COMMENT 168394
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2011-04-28 07:41 AM |
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There is always the Santa Barbara Ski and Sports Club, too. We do things like bike and wine in the Valley, Sunday bike and brunch rides, tennis, kayaking, golf, pool parties, movie nights, dinner theatre... the list goes on. Oh and ski trips, too. Great group of people, lots of fun. Check them out at sbski dot org
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COMMENT 168406
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2011-04-28 08:06 AM |
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Join the local political party of your persuasion. These people are active in this town. Volunteer to help precinct walk, stuff envelopes, do calling, sit tables and you will meet a lot of like minded new friends. This is good for all ages. And a lot of what you might find to do that puts you in good people contact will depend upon your age, but 40 isn't old and it isn't young. Take a look at the Unitarian Society activities for this age group if you are socially/politically liberal. Cottage Hospital volunteer activities are also good for people outreach. The main thing is to find something you like doing first, then keep showing up (even alone at first but this gets easier when you go back) until you and the activity becomes familiar and you will easily make friends and acquaintances for the rest of you life here. Volunteer to do the jobs no one else wants to do and you will be welcomed!
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COMMENT 168414P
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2011-04-28 08:17 AM |
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Could an adventure on a privately owned vintage train car be your cup of tea? Many a friendship has been forged while traveling from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo and back! Check out the SB CL activity partners listing for more info.
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COMMENT 168424
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2011-04-28 08:45 AM |
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Toastmasters.
Adult Ed classes.
Meet Ups.
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COMMENT 168511
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2011-04-28 11:20 AM |
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Agreed with Adult Ed - the classes are amazing. If you want to be involved in a neat sport, but not actually DOING the sport, consider roller derby. NSOs (Non-Skating Officials) keep stats for the games. Google Mission City Brawlin' Betties if you're interested & shoot them an e-mail. Look into volunteering at Arroyo Hondo preserve. It's twice a month generally, and they do things like planting natives, pulling invasives, and trail maintenance. It's a great area, with great people. Sierra Club hikes are supposed to be great, but I've never done one.
Volunteer at the shelter, walking dogs, or hanging with the cats or bunnies? I've met some amazing people there, and one became a best friend.
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COMMENT 168645P
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2011-04-28 03:58 PM |
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Contra dancing! Every Sunday evening at the Carrillo Ballroom at 6pm. Friendly people of all ages come either alone or with friends to dance to live music. There are no complicated steps to learn - if you can walk, you can contra dance - but your smile muscles will get a good workout! Visit sbcds.org for more information about local dances. Sierra Club hikes are good too.
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COMMENT 168654
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2011-04-28 04:14 PM |
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How about you set up a time and place and you invite everyone on edhat to come and meet you :)
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EVNEDN
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2011-04-29 05:59 AM |
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Join the Santa Barbara Newcomers Club. The first Monday of the month at 7.00pm they meet and introduce the variety of activities that are organized each month. There are approximately 30 different venues to choose from - social gatherings, community service, singles events, wine appreciation, performing arts and much, much more. Check out their website sbnewcomers.org.
This is the BEST place to meet people, especially when you are new to town.
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ANDY
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2011-04-29 06:04 AM |
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Newcomers!
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REDTOP
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2011-04-29 07:33 AM |
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Welcome to a great town! Lawn bowling is an easy-to-learn British sport with gentle exercise, lots of interesting people and heaps of fun. We have two clubs here--downtown is Santa Barbara Lawn Bowls Club at De La Vina St. and Victoria St. and the other location is at MacKenzie Park, State St. at Las Positas on the upper level. We have OPEN HOUSE at both clubs on SATURDAY, MAY 7 from 10:00 to 3:00. There will be free lessons, free pizza and free drinks. See you there!
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COMMENT 168751
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2011-04-29 08:15 AM |
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Try any of the Parks & Recreation dancing classes - Swing, Ballroom, Country, Contra, etc. No problem about going alone - there are always partners and everyone else there has in mind meeting people too. Volunteer for something. Great way to meet lots of people and there is something for every taste - last I heard, there are more than 900 non-profits headquartered in Santa Barbara. The New-Press usually publishes a list of them once a year. You can go to their office on De La Guerra Plaza and ask for a copy of it.
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COMMENT 168765
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2011-04-29 08:46 AM |
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volunteer...the Film Festival has a great cross section of people, Fiesta, the maritime Museum are al friendly to all comers regardless of age.
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COMMENT 168780
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2011-04-29 09:13 AM |
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Since you mentioned volunteering, how about spending time helping the animal rescues in SB? K9 PALS, Animal Reg and the Humane Society are all in need of those who want to volunteer their time. Or, if you have a dog of your own, maybe getting into dog training classes or sports might be fun too. (Or you could foster a shelter dog and take him/her to classes). It's a great way to meet others.
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COMMENT 168794
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2011-04-29 09:29 AM |
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I don't see that the OP is a newcomer? FWIW, I have lived in SB for over 30 years and with family and work (it can take a lot of work hours to pay the bills here) I find myself wishing I knew more people. It can be hard to make the time to volunteer or join regular activities outside of taking care of a home and family.
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COMMENT 168844
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2011-04-29 11:06 AM |
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Check out Rotary to meet dynamic people that are involved in good deeds around the community and beyond. It is a blast. My club meets every Wednesday at 7:00 AM (really) at the Santa Barbara Club. Come and check it out.
We are also working at Elings Park South (off Cliff Dr) tomorrow, Saturday, from 9 util early afternoon. Bring gloves.
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YPYETR
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2011-04-29 01:11 PM |
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If you want volunteer, and meet some truly magnanimous people, try reading books onto tapes for the Reading For the Blind and Dyslexic. The. RFBnD is a very rewarding and fullfilling way to volunteer.
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COMMENT 168951
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2011-04-29 03:11 PM |
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Join the Newcomers. Best decision my wife and I ever made after moving to Santa Barbara. After 15 years most of our friends are peo0ple we met in the Newcomers.
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