Best Dating Sites
Looking for a dating site you can trust? Search no more.
No matter how many times I watch “The Holiday,” Jack Black’s character always melts my heart. Some girls may be Jude Law fans. Not me. I’m all about the quiet charm and unassuming kindness of a guy who’d give me a big dollop of whipped cream on my smoothie.
When he meets Kate Winslet’s character on her doorstep, a strong wind blows them together, and he makes a prophetic comment. “Legend has it, when the Santa Anas blows, all bets are off,” he says. “Anything can happen.”
The Santa Ana winds are known for being unpredictable, and they’ve garnered a romantic reputation because we’d all like to think that our bad fortune can turn to good fortune at a moment’s notice. At the slightest breeze. It’s not that simple, of course, and if you want to make something happen with someone special, you don’t have to wait for the winds of change. You can get out there in Santa Ana and meet new people yourself! We recommend singles take advantage of the following resources to spice up their love lives.
1
Santa Ana Dating Sites
This is a no-brainer. Online dating is the fastest and most effective way to meet singles in your area. I know it can be nerve-wracking to set up a profile and send messages and basically make yourself available to the judgment of strangers, but the upside far outweighs the downside, in our opinion. Maybe you’ve tried online dating before and gotten no results. But maybe you haven’t tried our top-rated niche dating sites, which have a reputation for success.
Best Singles Site
Match.com is the best dating site for singles who are young, old, black, white — you name it. Since its launch in 1995, Match has welcomed millions of people of all demographics. The site’s simple yet effective layout makes it easy to bond with singles who share similar interests and relationship 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
Santa Ana is the headquarters of many major companies, including Xerox, Behr Paint, Open Doors, and T-Mobile. These businesses attract well-educated and skilled employees, many of whom just so happen to be single as well. If you want to date within Santa Ana’s professional community, we recommend signing up to EliteSingles. This high-caliber dating site caters to relationship-minded singles with steady careers and impressive backgrounds.
★★★★★
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
Once you reach a certain age, the typical dating site or app just doesn’t work for you anymore. Your dates are too young, too flaky, and too inexperienced to be worth your while. Fortunately, OurTime offers a solution for senior daters interested in finding long-term companionship. This senior dating site provides simple tools to help singles over 50 network with one another.
★★★★★
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
Black people make up a slim minority in Santa Ana — less than 2% of the total population identifies as black — so finding a date in this community can be quite a challenge. BlackPeopleMeet can help with that. This niche dating network includes thousands of African-American and biracial singles in the US.
★★★★★
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
Not everyone is interested in a happily-ever-after fairy-tale ending with one true love. Some daters just want a short-term happy ending with a one-night stand. Sex-oriented singles can use Adult Friend Finder to search for willing companions in Santa Ana. This hookup site boasts having the world’s largest sex and swinger community.
★★★★★
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
Over 329,000 people live in Santa Ana, which is the 57th most populous city in the US. That’s a lot of potential date prospects to sort through, and they may not live in close proximity to you. That’s where a dating app comes in. Dating apps use location-based algorithms to recommend the profiles of compatible dates in your area. You can use the following apps to meet singles on the West Coast.
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
Santa Ana Singles Bars
Singles can get burnt out with online dating if they’ve been swiping without getting any good dates or good conversations out of it. Profiles can start to blur together, and chats can start to feel repetitive. That’s when it’s time to take a break from technology and try meeting people in person. You can go to a local bar to get your groove back and flirt with people who can actually laugh out loud instead of loling. Santa Ana has an active bar scene, and we’ve selected a few of our favorites for singles on the prowl for a date.
1
Mission Bar
Any bar with a pool table and craft beer is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Founded by two beer-loving friends, Mission Bar keeps things simple and sticks with what works. Its tap list includes 25+ beers and ales. You can keep things light with a creamy American-style ale or go to the dark side with a rich Irish stout. These quality craft brews are affordably priced because the owners believe "great beers are meant to be shared among friends, not to bankrupt those drinking them."
2
Barrel Room
Since 2015, the Barrel Room has wowed patrons and become a fast favorite among Santa Ana singles. The bar looks like someone's living room. You can hunker down on a comfy leather armchair or pull up a seat at the sleek white countertop. The lounge area often fosters friendly conversations among strangers, and the Barrel Room's eclectic menu of small plates is a great conversation starter. Wine lovers feel at home at this low-key, quality-driven bar, which hosts social events like painting nights and Saturday jam sessions. You can stop in and share a bacon-wrapped date with your date at the Barrel Room.
3
Playground
Playground is not only one of the most revered culinary spots in town; its bar is a dating playground that serves unique drinks with a smile. The local gastropub tantalizes the taste buds with fresh ingredients, rich flavor combinations, and top-shelf drinks. Award-winning chef Jason Quinn founded the bar and restaurant to liven up Santa Ana's downtown scene. Playground hosts high-end dinner parties where the chefs tempt locals with the seasonal dishes they're most proud of. Talk about a great way to meet people!
4
Fling Cocktail Lounge
Love listening to live music while you enjoy a craft cocktail? Then the Fling Cocktail Lounge is the place for you. This dive bar may not look like much, but its drinking selection is on point and affordably priced. You can often find the Fling's owner hanging out among the crowd, making conversation and ensuring everyone is having a great time. From the vintage decor to the live performances every night, the Fling Cocktail Lounge is a one-of-a-kind, fun-times-guaranteed place to spend a weekend or weekday evening.
5
The Copper Door
Last but not least, we have The Copper Door, an underground bar with a lot of spunk. These rustic digs make singles feel right at home. You can sit by the fireplace and listen to live music over a bourbon-barrel stout or a slice of banana bread. The Copper Door often plays hosts to stand-up comedy nights, burlesque shows, and other eye-catching entertainment, so you'll never have a bored moment here. Whether you're there for Latin Thursdays or Karaoke Tuesdays, you're bound to have a great time at The Copper Door.
4
Santa Ana Speed Dating
Who has time to sit around waiting for the winds to change? Not me! I have too much to do to leave my social life or my love life up to fate. I’d rather speed up the process of building relationships from a snail’s pace, thank you very much. That’s what I love about speed dating. You get your dating fix and meet dozens of attractive and available singles all at once. It’s much more personal than a dating site or app (because you’re sitting right in front of your date), and it’s much more efficient than hanging out at a bar (because everyone you meet is guaranteed to be single). Eventbrite lists local speed dating events on its calendar, so click the link below to find out more.
5
Santa Ana Singles Events
My friend recently went to a Gatsby-themed party without realizing one important thing — only couples go to Gatsby-themed parties. She spent the evening feeling left out from the fun while couples sipped their gin martinis and danced the Charleston together. Singles never want to be the odd one out at a party, and that’s why we recommend heading to a singles event where everyone is single and ready to mingle. Meetup has a variety of singles-friendly groups to choose from — take a look!
6
Santa Ana Singles Clubs
Dancing at a nightclub can get your heart pumping, your blood flowing, and your emotions soaring in the span of a single song. It’s a terrific atmosphere for singles looking for a date. Everyone is letting loose and having fun, so it’s not too hard to join a group of dancers and introduce yourself. You can let your dance moves do the flirting for you as the music plays and dozens of dancers jump, twerk, and sway to the beat. The Velvet lounge with its drag shows and cheap drinks is among Yelp’s top-rated dance clubs in Santa Ana. Read its reviews to learn more.
7
Santa Ana Chat Rooms
If you’re a wordsmith like me, you probably make the best impression when you can type instead of talk. People like us thrive in chat rooms. You don’t have to worry about what you look like or sound like here — all people can judge you on is the words in a text box. Many free chat rooms encourage singles to hang out for a while and shoot the breeze. It’s a low-commitment and low-risk way to meet locals. If you don’t like where the conversation is headed, just exit out of it. You can look around the following chat rooms to find potential friends and date prospects.
8
Santa Ana Personals
A lot of people confuse dating sites with dating personals sites, but they have a few distinctive differences. For one thing, dating personals don’t use complex algorithms to match people. You’re free to do your own searching and use your own judgment about who’s compatible with you. Another difference is that dating personals don’t involve long bios and icebreaker questions. Singles post their age, gender, what they’re looking for, and maybe one or two other key details — and that’s it. Dating personals allow singles to cut straight to the chase and find romance in a few clicks.
9
Meet 949s at Community Events or Festivals
Because Santa Ana is located near beautiful beaches and world-renowned theme parks (Disneyland, anyone?), a lot of tourists stay in the city and crowd the highways. That can be frustrating for singles in search of a local date.
Santa Ana’s festivals and community events give locals a chance to come together and have fun.
However, a community event can help Santa Ana residents network without out-of-towners getting in the way. You can check out the community calendar on the city’s official homepage to find out what’s going on around town. The calendar lists many free, educational seminars as well as charity events and social meetups. You can take your pick and meet people in a casual setting.
In October, Savor Santa Ana invites foodies to discover new dishes and new friends in the downtown area. You can get a $10 tasting ticket and spend a fun-filled evening sampling the best artisanal foods made by local restaurants. Lots of people will be hanging out with a beer in hand and a smile on their faces, so mark your calendar for a chance to get a taste of everything Santa Ana’s social scene has to offer you.
10
Give Back & Build Tight Bonds
Volunteer groups are typically geared more toward making a difference than making friends, but the act of volunteering together often leads to tight friendships and relationships. Volunteers gather out of an altruistic desire to help out, and their shared values and common cause automatically bonds them together.
It doesn’t matter what type of organization you join. Think of an issue that matters to you — pollution, politics, health care, child care — and find a nonprofit that reflects and supports your values. Nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to get their good works done, so they’ll always have something for you to do. While you’re helping out, you’ll meet compassionate individuals who care about the same things you care about.
Whether you’re picking up trash at the park or walking dogs at the shelter, you can do something good for the community and for yourself by volunteering in Santa Ana. Look on VolunteerMatch to find opportunities to get involved.
Stay Breezy & Make New Friends in Santa Ana
In “The Holiday,” both single women are lucky enough to have a love interest show up on their doorsteps out of the blue. That makes an adorable story (or meet-cute as it’s called in the movie), but it’s not exactly realistic. I mean, I’ve gone on plenty of vacations, and Jack Black has yet to invite me to sushi.
I hate to break this to you, but you’re probably not going to meet someone new by sitting at home and moping. You have to get out there and make something happen. The Santa Ana winds aren’t in control of your destiny — you are. You have the power to make choices that will expand your social network and introduce you to worthwhile people in the community. Just go into each new setting with a smile and a good attitude, and you won’t blow it. Good luck!
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