In 2024, Aidan Ryan posted on Reddit that he was looking for someone in San Diego to play chess with in person. Mark Laturno replied, and they started playing weekly at local bars.
As the weeks went on, Laturno said more people wanted to play chess with them and soon the small group turned into a weekly social meetup community called Beers by the Bay Chess & Social.
“People come for the chess, but they stay for the friendships,” Laturno said. “Every week, strangers walk in and end up laughing over a game with someone they just met. It’s simple, social and it feels real.”
In San Diego County, there are a range of various social clubs centered around creative activities such as making music, playing board games and crafting.
Madelyne Wagner started a book club called Reading Not Required in June of 2021 after she said she searched for book clubs in San Diego, but “a lot of them had not resumed meeting again” after the COVID-19 lockdown ended.
“The idea was for it to be a social event centered around a shared love of books while also being low stakes because my own personal goal was to make new friends,” Wagner said.
For those looking for a new group of friends or a social club organized by activities, here are eight meetup groups to consider.
Books
Reading Not Required is a women’s book club that gathers at The Ould Sod in Normal Heights on the last Tuesday of each month. The club picks a new book each month, but guests do not need to finish the book to join the group. Wagner said the goal of the club is to make new friends in a casual environment with books acting as the icebreaker. Reading Not Required receives about 40 people on average each month and gathers in groups of six to eight people on the back patio. instagram.com/readingnotrequired
Biking
The Awarewolfs meet whenever there is a full moon. This bike club promotes itself as people riding in a pack rather than a mass collective that takes over the streets. The club started in 2010. It is open to all and recommends road bikes, ten-speeds, fixed-gear bikes and mountain bikes. Riders are asked to wear a helmet, have bike lights, call out cars to fellow riders, stay in one lane and obey the rules of the road. The Awarewolfs gather at 7 p.m. and are scheduled to meet March 2, April 1, May 1 and 30, June 29, July 28, Aug. 27, Sept. 25, Oct. 25, Nov. 23 and Dec. 23. theawarewolfs.com
A group of people gather at the f Beers the Bay Chess & Social for a night of chess and other board games in Pacific Beach. (Beers by the Bay Chess & Social)
Board games
Beers by the Bay Chess & Social is a weekly meetup group, which also hosts monthly beginner classes. It has evolved into a meetup group with beer and good conversation. People also play other games such as Uno and Jenga. Plus, the club is starting a women’s-only beginners chess class on Feb. 1. Events are regularly held at Wonderland in Ocean Beach and Tavern at the Beach in Pacific Beach. Memberships are $8 per month or $80 per year. chessandsocial.com
Crafting
San Diego Craft Collective is a nonprofit organization focusing on building community through crafting classes and workshops. It offers a free community craft night on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. The meetup is intended to be a space for crafters of all skill levels to mingle and bring a project to work on. The night is meant for those 16 years and older. The San Diego Craft Collective also provides scholarships and fellowships to individuals who need financial support to pay for its workshops and classes. Some of the crafts include woodworking, sewing, fused glass-making and ceramic creation. Workshops are open to adults and teens. For the most updated events calendar, go to sandiegocraft.org.
A floral arrangement made at a San Diego Floral Association workshop. (San Diego Floral Association)
Music
Bloom Music Collective started three years ago when singer, songwriter and founder Isabella Erardi was not finding enough venues in which to perform her original music. Bloom’s goal is to curate events so that local musicians have a space to perform original music, showcase their talents and find community with other musicians. Past events have been held at OB Beans Coffee Roasters, Liberty Station and Erardi’s living home. instagram.com/bloomusicollective
Angela Andrieux, who is the club president and instructor for the day, demonstrates to Darkroomers Photographic Club members how to measure and cut mat boards for photo prints during a matting workshop at Photographic Arts Building in San Diego on Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Angela Andrieux, who is the club president and instructor for the day, shows a finished matted photo as she demonstrates to Darkroomers Photographic Club members how to measure and cut mat boards for photo prints during a matting workshop at Photographic Arts Building in San Diego on Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Angela Andrieux, who is the club president and instructor for the day, demonstrates to Darkroomers Photographic Club members how to measure and cut mat boards for photo prints during a matting workshop at Photographic Arts Building in San Diego on Saturday, February 14, 2026. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Photography
Darkroomers has been an active photography club since 1941. It mainly hosts discussions, guest speakers, workshops and meetups focused on print photography. Some of the upcoming workshops and meetings include photography hiking, matting and mounting photographs and tips on how to enter photography contests. The Darkroomers meet on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of each month in the Photographic Arts Building at Balboa Park. Membership for this group costs $55 per year, which includes entry to all the events and programming. Nonmembers are welcome to most Darkroomers’ events. darkroomers.com
Running
Sunday Runday Club is for those early risers who enjoy running. This group meets every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. People are invited to run or jog at their own pace. There are multiple groups, with the routes averaging three miles. The Sunday Runday Club meets at a different location: First Sunday at Mixed Grounds in North Park, second Sunday at Parque Mission Bay, third Sunday at Parakeet Cafe in Coronado and fourth Sunday at Draft South Mission in Belmont Park. All runners and skill levels are welcome. instagram.com/sundayrundayclub
Sports
Volo Sports provides a variety of intramural sports that the public can join. There are leagues in over 12 different sports, available year-round, including tennis, softball, soccer, flag football and bowling. Sports leagues are offered across several communities such as City Heights, Del Mar, Pacific Beach and Mira Mesa. Plus, Volo offers yoga and spin classes. The public can join leagues and classes individually or by groups, based on availability and are offered on most days of the week. Prices vary per sport and class. volosports.com