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Find Friends in El Sobrante

Where two strangers meet over coffee

Welcome to the El Sobrante community! Here you can discover and connect with people in your area who share your interests and values.

El Sobrante is part of our San Francisco Bay Area service area, where we help bring local communities together.

Kerbal

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Kerbal's photo

Recently started exploring photography and sketching thoes photos as a form of mindfulness/focus

Where are you at in your life stage?
Early/soon-to-be-mid 20s, and moved to the city a little under a year ago after graduation. A good number of my close friends stayed in the area as well, great for an initial base of social life but also causing me to find myself not exploring socially as much as I could. I've been trying to figure out how to define life for myself post-graduation - the routines that keep me sane, and how to break those up to keep things interesting.
How's your life?
Pretty good. I enjoy my work and am pretty satisfied with my social life even as I learn to explore more socially and find my footing in the city.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Lifting, drawing, reading, cooking when I have the time, and existing around others
What is most important to you right now?
Developing and defining my social life further
Anything you recently found interesting?
I started sketching somewhat consistently a few weeks back, without any real knowledge/practice previously. Didn't realize that I'd end up with a fairly consistent style after just a few days of doing it, despite it not being something i know how to describe still

JackofFewTrades

He / Him

Menlo Park, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m a man in my early 30s. My girlfriend and I live in the South Bay, and I work up in San Francisco for work/living (and am eager to meet/connect with people in either!).
I had a pretty active social life prior to COVID, and kept up with my closest friends during the pandemic, but I really lost some momentum on the broader social side of things. I’d like to change this! Some things I really like: deep conversations and talking about big ideas, completely meaningless conversations, goofing around/being at play, learning and trying new things, being outdoors, board games, seeing shows/movies/performances.
How's your life?
It’s alright! I have a lot to be thankful for, although I’ve been known to feel a bit lost and/or lonely some days. I’m not currently finding a lot of fulfillment in my career at a big tech company, although I’m really engaged in my hobbies at the moment (creative writing, improv), and I’m trying to figure out how to make it all work.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Hobbies—I’m really interested in storytelling, and it’s something I want to get better at and have been thinking a lot. I love a great story (in movies, books, plays, whatever) and am trying to learn how to create some myself. I try to consume a lot of stories (I read a lot and try to watch at least a movie/week), and as far as creation goes I’m starting with short stories and a bit of improv for now, but who knows where this will go.
Exercise also goes a really long way for me—I’ve been a casual runner for a long time (I love trail running!), and recently started doing some barbell training. I’m an amateur at both and plan on keeping it that way, but they do wonders for my stress/mental health.
What is most important to you right now?
Finding more purpose/direction in my life, and making/deepening friendships.
Anything you recently found interesting?
1. Birkenstock Sandals apparently used to sell a skincare line (!!!), but discontinued it
2. Jack Handey will write you funny/nice notes if you buy books from his website (or at least, he did for me)
Hygge
Sent a coffee request!
Kood
I'm really interested in story telling as well! I'd love to hear about your experiences and process, since I don't know anyone else who is interested in story telling🥲 Sent a request!

Branchlimbs

She / Her

Mountain View, CA

Branchlimbs's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m almost halfway through my 30s, child free so far, and recently recognizing the need to build, foster, provide, and maintain a support network outside of blood relatives.
How's your life?
My life is starting to smooth out now, after a lifetime of bumps and potholes. Lost both of my parents in the last 5 years - it has profoundly impacted my life, both the weight of the loss, and the weightlessness of the newfound freedom from toxic negativity.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My dogs, and my partner. Taking a deep breath, coming back to the present moment with various grounding exercises. If time permits, taking 5-15 minutes to journal, starting with 1, 3, or 5 things I'm grateful for right now.
What is most important to you right now?
Nurturing my relationships, keeping my loved ones close, establishing professional stability to alleviate my anxiety about the future, learning about personal finances.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Learning to cook different things, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, doing balance exercises and paying attention to my body and what it needs
Solman
If you would like to meet for coffee, let me know. Cheers!
Solman
BTW, we also have 3 dogs. All rescued and part of the family.

Watts

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
31M I love mountain biking camping cars and coffee! I also like supporting friends who start their own projects and businesses. These days i've been more focused on www.upcyclebikes.co a peer to peer bike sharing platform that I started with some friends. We focus on high end bikes and act as an affiliate marketer for new bikes sales.
How's your life?
It’s going well getting married in September trying to balance starting my own company and working a 9-5
What helps you keep your sanity?
I enjoy mountain biking meeting new people discovering what other people are into
What is most important to you right now?
being strategic about spending my time networking and staying healthy (mentally and physically)
Anything you recently found interesting?
Learning how to fundraise and recently got into vintage watches as a hobby
CaturraCoating1
Vintage watches!!!! <3 also a fellow new and vintage watch enthusiast/mindful collector :) sent you a coffee request if you're interested:)

CaptainEyePoker

He / Him

Burlingame, CA

CaptainEyePoker's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Early 30s, married, good career in medicine, steadily advancing forward on a pretty traditional life path. Now attempting to navigate work life balance so that life feels a little less grind and a little more fulfilling.
How's your life?
Comfortable; I recently move back to the bay (grew up here) and have been reconnecting with old friends and family. Home life is great, and my swap to less work days has me engaging with more hobbies on my spare time that I've wanted to pursue all my life.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Family, my dog, my work (oddly enough), and my many hobbies
What is most important to you right now?
Getting fit and staying that way: I just signed up to do part time with the USAF and need to make sure I don't fail the physicals.
Expanding my social circle: looking for folks lively enough to enjoy some nightlife with, but also still need to get home at a responsible hour because we got crap to do in the morning.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Started flight lessons at the beginning of the year and started learning a ton about private and commercial aviation.

Coachella

She / Her

Oakland, CA

Coachella's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m a 26 year old originally from SoCal living in the Bay. I am enrolled in online grad school full time with a full time job as well, hoping to transition into another field a bit. I have very little free time but want to maximize time for my hobbies and meeting new genuine people as my most of my close friends live far or are moving away!
How's your life?
Life is unpredictable. There are good, bad, sad, stressful, etc. Currently somewhat lonely, looking for more adventure and friends to enjoy it with. Transition periods are always overwhelming, but I make the most of my days :)
What helps you keep your sanity?
I recently have been into Pilates & Yoga which helps keep me grounded. I am a home body, but I do crave a change of routine often. I enjoy playing on my switch, going to concerts, movies, dancing, painting (though I’m not so good), and reading. I like trying new things and I am open to different activities.
What is most important to you right now?
First, finishing grad school and reaching my career goals. I also want to be more physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
Anything you recently found interesting?
How hard it is to make friends as an adult! lol
TheMoose1234
Hey we are kinda opposites...I moved from the Bay back to SoCal! Were are you going to grad school?
pandahuman
Hi! I too was in SoCal for a bit and have been meaning to start yoga. It would be fun to connect :)

Rvses

He / Him

San Jose, CA

Rvses's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Late 20s!
I recently got affected by back-to-back tech job layoffs in the past 2 years, along with loss of a friend to cancer. The pandemic took a large toll out of who I was so I have been spending the last however long trying to go back to "normal" (whatever normal is in this time). One thing though - I am trying to say 'yes' to more things.
How's your life?
Mentally, the best it has been in a while. I am taking some time off from drinking, "recreational fun" and eating junk which has made things a lot better. Regular exercise has been important but also taking some breaks is also important.
I spent winter of this year heavily socializing but looking forward to traveling more as well as getting a stable job so I can accomplish more of my long and short term goals.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Both a mixture of alone time & time with friends and family. I burn out from one or the other but having a balance is very important.
I blow off steam by myself by going to the gym a few times a week, being a really big foodie (say no to chain restaurants!), playing games & watching my curated interests on Youtube. When I'm around friends we are usually eating (HAHA), going to concerts, and enjoying what the bay has to offer.
What is most important to you right now?
Stability, Peace & Routine
Anything you recently found interesting?
Life is a lot better when you are not constantly stressing and managing your stress well. Worrying about the future & past does nothing to help you in the present.
Hygge
More power to you!
Scipius02
Omg the life stage section speaks to me. I’m new here and have been wanting to expand my Beli with new restaurants. Feel like a coffee?