Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
American author John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, in 1902, and he set some of his most lauded works, including “East of Eden”, in his hometown. Steinbeck depicts Salinas Valley as a romantic, sun-drenched place — even as he describes the plight of lonely people struggling to make the right choices and find love in a sometimes harsh environment.
Some modern Salinas singles may relate to that type of narrative. It can be difficult to find a happily-ever-after ending in the real world, but our dating experts can offer an abundance of resources to help. We’ve outlined several ways to meet singles in Salinas, so people of all ages and backgrounds can start a new chapter in their lives.
1
Salinas Dating Sites
If you’re single and ready to meet someone special, you have probably considered online dating, and maybe you’ve even created a profile or two. About 30% of never-married singles have used online dating to meet people, and the number of people mingling online is growing larger every day.
Best Singles Site
Match is the top dog in the online dating scene. Not only has it been around longer than any other dating site, but it has also facilitated more dates, relationships, and marriages than any of its competitors. Match offers free membership to singles looking for someone who shares their interests and goals.
★★★★★
Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
Our Experts Say: “Match has facilitated the most dates and relationships of any dating site, and its large audience and high success rate make it our top review...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
Best Site for Professionals
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or an award-winning author to join EliteSingles. Just having a college degree is good enough to pass mustard on this high-caliber dating site. Over 80% of EliteSingles members have graduated from college, and they’ve joined this particular dating network to find someone on their level.
★★★★★
Relationships: Serious Relationships
Match System: Search, Receive Partner Suggestions
Our Experts Say: “EliteSingles is a leading dating site just for busy, single professionals. More than 80% of members have earned a college degree, and most are looking for a serious commitment...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Over 50 & Senior Sites
Being single in your 50s, 60s, or 70s may not have been part of your plan, but life can take unexpected turns sometimes. When people find themselves widowed or divorced in their senior years, they can take comfort that OurTime is there for them. This niche dating site help singles over 50 meet one another and build relationships that last.
★★★★★
Relationships: Dates and Relationships
Match System: Search by profiles by zip and more
Our Experts Say: “OurTime is well-known in the over-50 dating crowd, particularly because it has a ton of helpful search features and an easy layout...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
For Black Men & Women Only
Over 150,000 people live in Salinas, yet less than 3,000 Salinas residents identified as African-American in the most recent census. Anyone interested in dating someone of color may have to go outside the city limits to meet desirable dates. BlackPeopleMeet boasts having the largest online community of black and biracial singles with thousands of people signing up every month. You can try this niche dating site for free and see if it’s for you.
★★★★★
Relationships: Deep Relationships or Just Casual Dates
Match System: Search by location, age, more
Our Experts Say: “BlackPeopleMeet.com is the one of the largest and most popular dating sites for black and biracial singles, and the site is used by more than 5 million people a month...” Full Review »
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
Hookup & Sex Site
Adult Friend Finder is an international hookup site with millions of profiles in its database. Singles and swingers create free accounts on this site to discover sexy partners in their area. The platform allows its subscribers to mingle in chat rooms, send private messages, and watch X-rated video broadcasts under an anonymous username.
★★★★★
Relationships: Hookups Only
Match System: Search by location, interest, more
Our Experts Say: “Make no mistake: this site isn't about making friends, it's about finding hookups and casual encounters. No adult site has a larger or more active user base of those seeking discreet fun...”
Browse Free: View Photos Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
| All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
2
Popular Dating Apps
Dating apps have taken the matching technology of dating sites and made it more conveniently accessible to smartphone users. Now singles can stay connected to their dates throughout the day, sending messages and swiping on profiles from anywhere. Many popular dating sites have companion dating apps designed to help local singles connect with one another. These apps use the phone’s GPS locator to prioritize matches who are close by.
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Fun Dates, Serious Relationships
- Match System: Browse by location, age, interest, and more
- About the App: Available via the App Store and Google Play, Match is a fantastic app for dates and relationships. With a user base of 30 million singles, Match is where you'll have a high chance of success. It's free to download, create a profile, search for date prospects, and receive compatible matches based on personalized preferences. Free members can also chat with select members and send unlimited likes.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Deep Relationships
- Match System: Search by education, lifestyle habits, age
- About the App: Commitment-minded, professional daters will feel at home with EliteSingles, which can be downloaded for free in the App Store or Google Play. Not only is everyone looking for a long-term partner, but 80% of members hold a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree. EliteSingles sees 210,000 visitors and 2,500 users finding love every month, so it's one of the fastest growing and most reputable apps.
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
290,000* | Free Download |
Available on: iOS, Android
- Relationships: Casual Dates, Relationships
- Match System: Search for and receive matches
- About the App: Zoosk is the number one app for finding dates, and if you sync up your Google+ or Facebook account, you can have a profile in seconds. The app has 38 million members and will deliver matches to your inbox on a daily basis based on your behavior such as who you search for, like or don't like, and message. The Carousel is another section for matching (tap the heart if it's a yes and the X if it's a no).
- Browse Free: View Profiles Now
| User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
3
Salinas Singles Bars
The Salinas bar scene is full of fun taverns, speakeasies, cocktail bars, and brewhouses where locals can sit and get to know one another. You don’t need to sign up or make a reservation to enjoy yourself and meet people at these casual spots. Whether you’re there for a round of drinks or a three-course dinner, you can expect fast and personalized service at the following top-rated Salinas bars.
1
The King's Den
The King's Den may be a dive bar, but it's the kind of dive with eclectic art on the wall and plenty of seating. A karaoke DJ takes to the stage on certain days to help people come out of their shells, and the bartenders provide generous pours until last call at 1 a.m. One regular of the King's Den said it's a "great place to express yourself [and] socialize. Even when your life is going sour, it's always sweet here."
2
Salinas Sports Tavern
The Salinas Sports Tavern playfully promises "beautiful food, tasty people" on its sign out front. That's the kind of ribbing you can expect from this laid-back bar. Since 2013, the Salinas Sports Tavern has made a name for itself by serving some of the greasiest, tastiest comfort food in town. Its burgers, wings, and tacos are perfect for munching on while you watch your favorite teams play on the TV sets that line the walls. The tavern also hosts comedy nights, karaoke nights, and other events to get the crowd riled up on weekdays and weekends.
3
Farmers Union Pour House
Located on Main Street, Farmers Union Pour House is a social hub in Salinas. The bartenders are on a first-name basis with many of their regulars, and they're always willing to help newcomers choose a delicious craft beer from the menu. Farmers Union always has something new and exciting on tap, so coming to dine and drink here is never a dull experience. "Truly a gem in old town," said Jessica Ruiz in a Facebook review. "Great place for a break midweek, or a nice way to start or end your weekend."
4
Dubber's Oldtown Bar & Grill
Dubber's Oldtown Bar & Grill is a beloved sports bar with plenty of room to sit and relax. You can pull up a chair and order a burger or sandwich paired with an ice-cold beer. The bartenders can also make a mean cocktail, so check out the liquors behind the bar to start your evening off right. I'd recommend treating yourself to the ooey gooey homemade brownies as well. They're served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. Last call is at midnight, so be sure to show up early to get your drink on.
5
Growers Pub
Growers Pub hearkens back to the days of saloons, spirits, and Old West values. This nostalgic restaurant and bar is a family-friendly joint set in a historic downtown building. As the owners say, "The restaurant is designed to take you back to a time when farmers and cowboys reigned the Salinas Valley." The menu includes prime cuts of steak, fresh vegetables, and root beer floats. This old-world bar is all about taking things slow, doing meals right, and making newcomers feel right at home.
4
Salinas Speed Dating
You can save precious time in the dating scene by attending a local speed dating event. These fun parties give you the chance to meet dozens of potential love interests and then follow-up with the ones you want to get to know better. Hopefully, every mini-date will leave you wanting more and help you find that special someone you’re searching for. Pre-Dating is one of the largest and most successful speed dating event organizers in the country, and it runs hundreds of events throughout the year. Check out the calendar by clicking the following link.
5
Salinas Singles Events
Singles events can introduce you to men and women who share your interests and are open to building new relationships. These meetups tend to revolve around a group activity (hiking, biking, picnicking, painting, etc.) that can excite interest and get people talking. It’s a fun way to break the ice and build chemistry organically. No more blind dates. No more cheesy pickup lines. Singles events offer a casual place to hang out among peers and see what develops.
6
Salinas Singles Clubs
Want to attract dates without saying a word? Then a nightclub is the place for you. Nightclubs set the mood and inspire romance on the dance floor, and it doesn’t take much to get into the partying spirit. You can sidle up to someone as the music plays and see if the chemistry is strong enough to take things all the way. You never know what’ll happen when you step foot in a nightclub, and that’s part of the magic of it all.
7
Salinas Chat Rooms
Unlike bars, clubs, and events, chat rooms are open 24/7, so you can flirt on your schedule. Many singles enjoy practicing pickup lines in chat rooms because it’s a low-risk and anonymous forum. Chat rooms are adult-only spaces where singles can explore their fantasies, discuss their fetishes, and discover new romantic connections. Many popular singles chat rooms are free to join and organized by location, so nothing will stand between you and a hot date in Salinas.
8
Salinas Personals
A lot of singles use dating sites and dating personals sites interchangeably, but they are actually two different ways to meet people. Dating sites provide matchmaking systems and typically moderate profiles. Dating personals sites do not match users and typically don’t screen content in the ads. Most personals sites don’t even require users to upload photos. It’s like the Wild West of online dating out there. You can say what you please, message who you like, and ride off into the sunset with a new romantic partner.
9
Volunteer Projects Can Lead to Friendship & Romance
You can meet singles pretty much anywhere, but meeting someone kind, thoughtful, and compatible with you may take a little more effort and creativity. You have to spend time doing things you care about if you want to find a date to share your cares and joys. That’s why volunteering is such a great way for singles to connect.
When you volunteer with a nonprofit or community organization, you can do a good deed among good quality people and build relationships that last.
You can join a volunteer project in Salinas to make a positive difference.
The City of Salinas posts volunteer information on its website to help people connect in the area. You can find a volunteer opportunity that meets your schedule, interests, and abilities here.
Whether you’re volunteering at the library, animal shelter, or recreation center, you can make a difference while making friends and create the foundation for a better tomorrow.
Meet Dates Who are Rich in Values in Salinas, California
Discovering romance, intrigue, and fulfillment in California can take time, but the right resources can set you on the right path. Hopefully, our list of places to meet singles in Salinas has given you a few ideas to up your odds of falling for someone special.
Singles have to become the author of their own fates if they want something to happen. It’s up to you to put in the hours and attention to built a rapport. The more time you spend socializing and making conversation, the more likely you are to find a spark that turns into a relationship.
As John Steinbeck once wrote to his son, “If you are in love, that’s a good thing — that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone.”
Advertiser Disclosure
DatingAdvice.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free for users, we receive advertising compensation from the sites listed on this page. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where sites appear on the page (including, for example, the order in which they appear). DatingAdvice.com does not include listings for all dating sites.
Our Editorial Review Policy
Our site is committed to publishing independent, accurate content guided by strict editorial guidelines. Before articles and reviews are published on our site, they undergo a thorough review process performed by a team of independent editors and subject-matter experts to ensure the content’s accuracy, timeliness, and impartiality. Our editorial team is separate and independent of our site’s advertisers, and the opinions they express on our site are their own. To read more about our team members and their editorial backgrounds, please visit our site’s About page.
Discuss This!