Socializing with an Empty Nest

Where did the days of quickie breakfasts, packed lunches and random dinners between sports practices, dance classes and fast food go? While dreaming of only 4-5 loads of wash per week compared to 12-15, you are now at those smaller wash days and quiet meals and you may have some time to fill! What do you do with all that time that was once a fantasy? Finding friends isn’t as easy as it was when the kids were in school. If you’re moving on top of it, you’re starting fresh.
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A move through the Caldecott Tunnel to Lamorinda can make your life so busy and filled with exciting fun and creative days! With a little effort of time and research, you can find wonderful activities that lead to new adventures and relationships in the Lamorinda/East Bay communities!

One of the easiest place to find a new group of friends and venture out into your community at the same time is MeetUp. Search by interest or age group (or both). Groups that might speak to a more mature social set include:

Freshnesters
Walnut Creek Area Women’s Book Club - 50’s and Older
Best is Yet to Be
Coming of Age Group for Women 60+

And so forth. Financial groups, book clubs, hiking groups.

Speaking of hiking, the rolling (and sometimes steep!) hills surrounding Lamorinda are popular with hikers. Be sure to check out Orinda Hiking Club to keep that heart pumping.

Socializing is never far from food and drink. If you want to get out and feel the buzz and energy of being out with other people, but don’t want to run into your kids (or their friends) at the bar, popular choices are Vic Stewart’s or Va Di Vi in Walnut Creek. Metro in downtown Lafayette and, on Friday nights, Wine Thieves hosts a tasting (free with a guest for members) that draws a good crowd.

For something a bit more special, Walnut Creek Yacht Club has regular events and a lot of regulars. A really popular seafood place that allows you to ‘join’ their ‘club’ (just sign up) and that allows you to make reservations at a number of special menu nights that are usually nothing short of amazing. More here.  Combine it with a night of theater for the perfect evening.  You couldn’t live in a more exciting performing arts hamlet! The Lesher Center for the Arts, located in beautiful downtown Walnut Creek, is the premier theater venue in Contra Costa County. Multiple stages and high quality productions. You can experience Broadway shows, comedy, dance or lecture series where there is not a bad seat for your viewing.

Finally, for the Shakespeare and lover of the arts, Orinda provides us with California Shakespeare Theater. Not only special in our community but loved throughout the Bay Area. ​​