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Santa Rosa, CA
Michaelsa said he lived in San Francisco for six years because he’d heard it was the best place to be if you’re young and single. But the 30-year-old soon found himself bogged down by the traffic, burnt out by the nightlife, and longing for the wine country up north in Sonoma County.
“All I’ve found in the city are guys who love the city,” Michaelsa wrote. “I think I’ll have a better chance of meeting someone who appreciates a quieter life if I leave the city and actually go to the place where other country lovers are likely to be.”
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, and it offers singles like Michaelsa a more relaxed and less overcrowded place to find love. From Copperfield to Stonegate, Santa Rosa is full of quiet neighborhoods, but it also has an active social scene. It shouldn’t be too difficult to meet a laid-back date in Santa Rosa if you follow our advice and use the following dating resources.
With over 39.6 million residents, California is the most populous state in the U.S. It’s also the third largest state by total area. That’s a lot of ground to cover and people to talk to when looking for a date, and it can be overwhelming to swim in such a large, diverse dating pool. Fortunately, dating sites can help singles narrow down their options to the most viable and compatible people in their area.
First up, Match ranks at the top of our list of favorite dating sites because it has stood the test of time and proven itself a trustworthy ally to singles everywhere. Since 1995, this general dating site has welcomed singles who want to build a relationship based on common values and interests. The personality-driven match algorithm recommends dating profiles that meet your standards and have relationship potential.
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 »
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User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
39.7 Million* | Try Match FREE |
EliteSingles is the dating site of choice for sophisticated singles who have thrived in their careers and now seek to conquer the dating scene. This highly selective dating network appeals to doctors, lawyers, developers, and entrepreneurs who want to settle down with someone they view as an equal. Over 80% of EliteSingles members are college-educated, and over 90% have said they’re looking for a serious relationship.
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 »
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User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
All Singles* |
44%*
56%*
|
2 Million* | Browse Profiles Free |
Powered by the People Media network, OurTime is a senior-friendly dating site where men and women can find a fresh start at love. The platform caters to a mature crowd of daters, and it doesn’t have a lot of complex features standing in the way of a deep online connection. You can create a profile within minutes and browse the dating network by using straightforward search filters for age, location, appearance, religion, and other demographics.
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 »
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User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
Mature Singles (50+)* |
48%*
52%*
|
8.9 Million* | Over 50? Try It FREE |
Historically, Santa Clara hasn’t had a very prominent African-American population. According to the 2010 census, only 4,079 residents, or 2.4% of the population, identify as black. If you want to expand your dating pool to include more diverse singles, you should join BlackPeopleMeet, which boasts having the world’s largest network of African-American singles. This niche dating site serves singles throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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 »
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User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
Black Singles* |
47%*
53%*
|
5.7 Million* | FREE Trial for New Users |
Adult Friend Finder offers a stimulating dating environment where singles and swingers can arrange no-strings-attached hookups. This X-rated sex site is built to please with 24/7 chat rooms and video broadcasts available to members and non-members alike. If you’re feeling frisky, you can find someone to flirt with on AFF.
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...”
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User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) |
Today's Deal
|
All Singles* |
65%*
35%*
|
25.5 Million* | 3 Months @ $19.95/Mo |
Dating apps offer a streamlined online dating experience where you never miss a new match or an incoming message because it all goes straight to your smartphone. You can keep up with conversations in real time as you go about your day, and that makes it easier to form a real connection. Since around 2012, dating apps have been the coolest trend in the dating scene, so hop on the bandwagon and download the following popular dating apps.
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
49%*
51%*
|
13.5 Million* | Free Download |
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
43%*
57%*
|
290,000* | Free Download |
User Base | Gender Ratio | Popularity (Visits/Mo.) | App Cost |
---|---|---|---|
All Singles* |
48%*
52%*
|
3.8 Million* | Free Download |
Santa Rosa is in the middle of California’s Wine Country, so it’s safe to say it has quite a few good bars stocked with bottles of reds and whites. Whether you’re hanging out at a British tavern or playing pool at a dive, the fun, casual atmosphere facilitates conversation and camaraderie among locals and out-of-towners. Singles can head to a neighborhood bar to meet someone new, enjoy a decadent meal, and make some memories over a round of drinks.
Juncture Taproom & Lounge tops our list of the best bars in Santa Rosa because of its terrific beer selection, side-splitting comedy nights, and friendly atmosphere. This tap room is a central meeting point for beer lovers in town. The bartenders are personable and can always recommend a good brew based on your tastes. The kitchen serves sandwiches, wings, and other snacks to keep people satisfied as they watch a game or have a conversation at the bar. There is plenty of space to mingle at Juncture Taproom so grab a table and enjoy.
You may not expect to find an old-fashioned British pub in Santa Rosa, but Toad In the Hole defies expectations. This tavern makes a mean Yorkshire pudding and homemade bangers. If you're in the mood for a hearty plate of fish and chips, this is the place for you. Toad in the Hole features live music and game day watch parties on occasion, but it's more well-known as a casual spot to dine, drink, and have a laugh.
Whiskey Tip's motto is pretty simple: "Meet. Drink. Play." The family-owned neighborhood bar aims to give locals a place where they can relax, have a beer, and just be. Its custom cocktails often turn heads and make a good impression on newcomers. As you can probably tell by the name, the bar is focused on highlighting the flavor of whiskey, and that extends from its unique drinks to its whiskey-infused BBQ. Whether you're singing karaoke or playing pool, you can always find a fun, wild time at Whiskey Tip.
Kozy Kar is a dive bar with memorabilia from the 1980s crowding its walls. The vintage vibes are totally groovy, and many adults enjoy a trip down memory lane here. You can recline on the waterbed or cozy up in the hollowed-out Volkswagon Van. The bar also has classic video games and pinball machines to give locals a special thrill. If you're looking for an unforgettable, colorful spot to chill out, the Kozy Kar should be right up your alley.
Locals know Santa Rosa as the "microbrew capital of the U.S." because of beer-tastic hot spots like Local Barrel. This brewery offers cold drinks, live music, and bar games to get people in a partying mood. This isn't a place where you have to put on airs. The relaxed atmosphere at Local Barrel suits singles who want to have a good conversation and play games without going too far outside their comfort zones.
Located in the Historic Railroad Square, Jackson's Bar and Oven serves wood-fired pizzas made fresh to order. The kitchen staff don't cut corners, making their own bread, mustard, and pickles in-house. This upscale joint also whips up delicious artisanal cocktails, and the bar is famous for its rich selection of local wines. From the very beginning, the owners of Jackson's Bar and Oven put quality first and designed a sophisticated yet casual menu that has something for everyone.
Let’s face it, dating can take up a lot of time. The average online dater spends about 90 minutes a day swiping and chatting, and that doesn’t even include the hours wasted on dead-end coffee dates. Who has that kind of time? If you want to fast forward through the vetting process, we recommend hitting up a local speed dating event. You’ll meet dozens of people IRL in one night and come away with a list of mutual matches to pursue.
Singles events are great if you want to meet new people and ease yourself into new friendships and relationships. You can become a regular at hiking meetups or dinner outings and sweet talk your crush in a laid-back social setting. These events are especially helpful for newcomers to the area because group activities often inspire new social connections, and that means more opportunities to meet someone special. You can search Meetup by keyword to find a singles event that suits you.
Dancing at the club is a fantastic way to let go of your troubles and live in the moment. Sometimes you can even entice a hottie to join you for a dance or two. Santa Rosa’s nightlife offers singles the chance to have fun with zero commitment. An upbeat playlist of popular dance songs can energize the crowd, getting everyone in a flirtatious mood. All you need to do is take someone special into your arms to create intimacy on and off the dance floor.
Chat rooms give singles an anonymous and nonjudgmental space where they can say whatever’s on their minds or in their hearts. These open-ended forums encourage locals to strike up a conversation with someone new and build a relationship one “lol” at a time. You can sign up to a chat room under a nickname or screen name, so you don’t have to worry about anyone you know recognizing you while you shoot the breeze. This is a low-risk and low-investment way to dip a toe into the dating scene and see where the chat takes you.
Dating personals sites are the fast and easy version of dating sites. You don’t have match algorithms or personality questionnaires standing between you and a hot connection. You can message anyone you please without worrying about likes, winks, or favorites. Another thing about dating personals sites is that they publish ads, not profiles, so you don’t have to write a lot of words about yourself. Just state your name, age, location, and what you’re looking for on the site.
When you’re single, you naturally spend a lot of time thinking about yourself. You have to look out for yourself, of course, but it’s also important to take a break from your everyday concerns and do what you can to help others.
Volunteer work can be a good reset button for singles in a funk, and it’s also easy to meet generous people while giving back to the community.
The Volunteer Center of Sonoma County has partnered with hundreds of local nonprofits and businesses that make a difference in a number of ways. Whether you want to assist with a fundraising event or help out at a local soup kitchen, you can find a volunteer program that needs people like you to help.
Over 30% of Sonoma County residents volunteer each year, and you can make inroads with these giving folks by taking part in a volunteer project in Santa Rosa.
If you want to meet people in Santa Rosa, you need to become an active member of the community. Californians typically settle in this quiet town in the wine country to start careers and families, not to play the field. Love can blossom in the low-key bars and clubs downtown, but it can also flourish in online chats and sites. It’s up to you to get out there and make those connections yourself.
Whether you’re mingling at a singles event or on a dating app, you have to go in with a good attitude if you want to get good results. And make sure you pick the right dating ground where you feel the most comfortable and confident.
As one person in the discussion forum told Michaelsa, “Its all about what lifestyle you are interested in. If you are the type who would prefer meeting a woman at a small town farmers market than a lounge or bar in the city, then you’d prefer Sonoma County.”
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