12 Ways to Build and Find Your Community in Los Angeles

Community? In Los Angeles? Yes. It exists, and if you look for it, you’ll be happy to know it’s a lot easier to find than you would think! We’re biased of course. Our algorithm is constantly feeding us with new groups forming, events designed to make connections, free local resources, and an abundant of people who are also CRAVING connection just as much as you.So here are a few ways you can find, and build community in LA.

Enjoy public programming

• Be honest - when was the last time you went to a library? Even if you don’t read, LA’s libraries have great community programs like knitting circles, movie screenings, yoga, and even clay sculpting all for FREE! And don’t get us started on recreation centers - low-cost fitness, cooking, gardening, sports, and more. Your participation helps your library and rec center get funding all while you meet new people!

Join a community garden

• Green thumb or not, playing in dirt is good for your body and brain, and most of us aren’t lucky enough to have a big yard to play in. Whether you want your own plot to tend or want to volunteer every so often, your local community garden is the place to go. No community garden close to you? Start one with your neighbors using guidance from the LA Community Garden Council!

Join or form a team

• Nothing bonds people together like a shared goal, especially when that goal is to win (we mean, to have fun!). Join a community sports league (ahem, like ours), a weekly trivia group, or even an adult dance troupe - whatever sounds fun to you! Science says seeing the same people regularly is an excellent way to form lasting relationships and we agree.

Support local business

• It’s more than a slogan - shopping small directly supports your neighbors (and keeps your hard-earned dollars out of mega-corporations’ pocket). Plus, you just might get to know your neighborhood entrepreneurs, and depending on the business, you might be meeting regulars who will in turn become friends. But the convenience of fast delivery?! Many local grocers will deliver to you from their website (bye, Instacart) and check out Gallop for 3-hour delivery from local stores for gifts, apparel, and more.

Exchange goods locally

• Whoever said “You can’t get something for nothing” didn’t know about Buy Nothing groups, little free libraries, little free pantries, or free little art galleries. Whether you're giving, taking, or both, participating in neighborly giveaways and trades is a great way to build community. You can even find maps online for the little frees - libraries, pantries, and art galleries. nd if you'd rather swap skills than stuff, we have our own Skill Swap service where you can trade your expertise for someone else's (you can find this on our website).

Participate in mutual aid

• “Mutual aid” is not just a way to donate your money (although that’s great too). There are plenty of mutual aid platforms and networks that you can participate in without any money at all! One idea is to join or start a “time bank” like Our Time Bank on the Westside where you and your neighbors help each other out by earning and paying hours instead of money. 

Meet your neighbors

• Quick, name 5 people on your block! If you can’t, it’s time to make a change. Strike up a conversation, drop off some extra oranges on a doorstep, collect mail for a traveler, and have someone watching out for you too. Some ideas to get started are dropping off greeting cards introducing yourself (for the introvert) or hosting a little block party (for the extrovert). And we all know the Nextdoor app, right?

Learn about local politics

• If you’re sick and tired of politics (we feel you), local politics may just be the palette cleanse you need! Follow your mayor and your city on socials to casually familiarize yourself with what’s going on locally. Join a local party that shares your values or one of LA City’s 99 Neighborhood Councils and remember that politics is really about envisioning the community we want to live in and advocating for it.

Build a routine

• Humans love routine, so you’re bound to see the same people during yours but let’s think beyond your commute. Take a daily morning walk, go to the weekly farmer’s market, join a book club, or grab a fancy coffee on Sundays at the same local spot. You can even host a regular low-pressure gathering (e.g., Tuesday evenings are cookie exchanges in your front yard). We promise, the more consistent you are, the stronger your connections will be.

Volunteer

• Volunteering is for everyone, and doesn’t have to be something you find on VolunteerMatch. Decide what you’re enthusiastic about and make your choices based on that. Know how to sew? Mend clothes at a repair cafe. Love looking at the stars? Join the Sidewalk Astronomers to bring the galaxy down to Earth for your neighbors. Poet and ya know it? Inspire and be inspired at an 826LA kids’ writing lab.

Follow Event Organizers Who Prioritize Making Connections

• There are SO many amazing organizers and local businesses who are consistently organizing events to bring people together. Obviously a quick plug for us (The Next Fun Thing) who hosts a variety of different types of events to bring people together, but there are also groups like Gratitude Groups (focuses on mental wellness), We Explore Earth (outdoorsy activities), Los Angeles Friends (monthly meetups for you to find connections), and SuperBloom Collective (sober beach parties + workout popups), reality bar hosts multiple watch pirates a week reality fans . Those are some examples, but there are so many more for a variety of interests!

Find Venues that Orgainze Events (frequently)

• Across Los Angeles, there are so many venues creating fun (and often free) ways for people to connect. Benny Boy Brewing, for example, hosts multiple community events every week, from Pokémon meetups and speed dating to Sketch Night and Lectures on Tap. The Penmar draws hundreds of people to its weekly concerts on the lawn, sports bars become instant communities during big games, and many coffee shops host everything from latte art workshops to cowkorking events. Once you start paying attention, you'll realize there are opportunities to meet people everywhere.

‍