Background Image

Find Friends in Saratoga

Where two strangers meet over coffee

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

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

TheConstantGardener

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

TheConstantGardener's photo

A moment captured at base camp during my attempt to summit Shasta via Hotlum Glacier route

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m in my mid 30s, married. Recently quit my job to take a career break. Exploring things that I always put off due to lack of time - beginning with learning piano.
How's your life?
I don’t have much of a routine as of yet, earlier it was mostly dictated by my job, now I am rebuilding it. Generally weekends are quite chill where I try to spend time with my husband. Mornings are typically slower, more active during later part of the day with coffee runs, walks in the neighborhood, cooking.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature walks, music, art, a clean home.
What is most important to you right now?
My health and finding a community of friends - I wanna build a daily routine that I can consistently follow, with habits that truly fulfill me (exercising, walking, meditation and journaling) and get me ready for the day. I have realized it’s really hard to develop long lasting adult friendships- most of my old friends have been separated by time or distance and I am looking to make new ones.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Afro soul music - so cool, always uplifts my mood and makes me wanna move. Some of my most played tracks are Antidote by Nao, Essence by Wizkid, Commas and Rush by Ayra Star, Corny by Rema.
TheConstantGardener
@S4revelu2 Oh cool! Thanks for sharing, will check it out :)
Reply to TheConstantGardener
S4revelu2
@TheConstantGardener you're welcomeee :)))
Reply to S4revelu2

wordsreally

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

wordsreally's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Recently got laid off from work so my days are currently free and unstructured as I plan my next move.
I spend a lot of my days drinking tea, vegging out on my couch with book in hand, eating delicious things, taking photos of beautiful things, and being obsessed with an orange cat on the internet named Jorts.
How's your life?
Surviving the chaos, you know how it is! Me and my plants.
What helps you keep your sanity?
I got back into gardening after a long hiatus, and I am officially in my grandma/cottage core era. I can't believe how much I miss it. Playing with dirt and soil feels so primal that it teleports me straight back to my childhood.
What is most important to you right now?
It's definitely not a career, or family, but real connections. I want to cultivate deep and fulfilling relationships, but unfortunately this has been difficult to achieve for the same reasons why it's hard to make friends post college.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Anything I recently found interesting?
Around the Corner! Love the concept.
pluginmuse
I love Jorts! Have any cats of your own?
Reply to pluginmuse
Hygge
I'm currently learning how to grow my vegetable garden (basically anything besides cactus). Would love to connect.
Reply to Hygge

Brainybird

She / Her

Redwood City, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I am a 48 year old mother of a 10 year old amazing boy. His father and I are divorced but I feel blessed we have a very healthy co-parenting relationship, always putting our son first. We even sometimes celebrate the holidays together!
How's your life?
I have a successful career in Biotech and appreciate what I do as I have many opportunities to learn and grow. But I work remotely from home and it gets lonely. Some friends have moved out of state and others are just too busy with the usual things in life to get together.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature and being outside, yoga, eating healthy, reading (I'm in a book club) . I love walking outside through different neighborhoods and appreciating the styles of homes/landscapes especially now that everything is in full bloom! I love trying different ethnic restaurants from Thai, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, etc.
What is most important to you right now?
I miss having friends to connect with. I would love to connect with others who live in the Menlo Park/Redwood City/Palo Alto/San Mateo area.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Prior to age 6 children are truly unable to understand the world from another person's point of view. A preschooler can be emotionally sympathetic but he cannot really stand in another's shoes. The ability to do this will not be fully present until around age 16.
S4revelu2
awwwhh, thats wonderfull yall spend the holidays together and work everything out for your child 🥹
Reply to S4revelu2

deuxcroissants

She / Her

Oakland, CA

deuxcroissants's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Mid-30s, pretty settled in my career, and have a fantastic community of friends and family in and outside of the Bay. I'm single, searching for a long-term partner, and am looking to expand my circle/community (in all ways!).
How's your life?
Zooming out, it's pretty good! Sometimes I feel like a kid still, just with more money and responsibilities. I never thought I'd laugh this much as an adult!
I'm quite happy with my day to day life, but when I'm 80 and reflecting on my life, I want to feel fulfilled and content and like I squeezed a lot of love, meaning, gratitude, purpose, and memories into it. So I'm always looking for ways to add more of those things!
What helps you keep your sanity?
Being outside, hiking, cycling, beach volleyball; croissants, berries, pizza, sushi, dark roast coffee; tall mountains + glacial lakes; traveling; finding great bakeries in small little towns; a heavy dose of laughing with friends and family balanced with a few minutes of introvert time per day
What is most important to you right now?
Spending meaningful time with family and friends while developing new connections and relationships, including finding a long-term partner.
Seeing the outdoors and exploring new places.
Understanding myself and understanding others. Continuous self-reflection and growth.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I still can't wrap my head around how large the number 52! is (the number of unique ways you can shuffle a deck of cards)
deuxcroissants
@Amaranthine: travel-wise, Alaska! Loved how vast and massive it feels. And the glaciers! Local: Oakland's newest croissant place, Forma!
Reply to deuxcroissants
Hygge
Sent a request. Would love to check out any good bakery - found a few in Berkeley recently :)
Reply to Hygge

SnuggleRX82

She / Her

San Jose, CA

SnuggleRX82's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Not where I wanna be. Not where I ever imagined, both in good and not-so-good ways. I’ve just hit midlife (yikes!) and still not married (no partner either) and no kids. I’ve never desired having kids but have always wanted to be married. Unfortunately fate/karma had/has other plans for me, it seems. So here I am! Seeking a new chapter of MEANINGFUL friendships!
How's your life?
All in all, I’m lucky in a lot of ways. It’s easy to complain about things not going my way, esp seeing everyone around me having what I want. But I have a roof over my head, can afford the necessities (food, clothes), and some luxuries. I have a job that allows me to afford my life, to which, I am grateful, even though there are parts of the job that aren’t ideal. I have more text friends than actual friends I meet up with regularly. I hope to start a new chapter here, making new connections in an unexpected way!
What helps you keep your sanity?
A good hearty catch up with friends over either a home cooked meal or a nice restaurant, followed by a glass of wine.
What is most important to you right now?
Most imp to me is finding something, anything that keeps me living. Not in the physical sense but emotionally/internally. I want to find that zest for life through friendships. I may never find a partner but friendships are a necessity. I want to find people who enjoy different activities; things that I like and things I’ve never tried and want to. I do love learning as well so all the better if I can learn from newfound friendships and equally share my knowledge as well!
Anything you recently found interesting?
I wouldn’t say this is interesting but I recently have been into library book sales and am trying to read more. Granted, I still can only read fiction, as I use them to mentally escape reality, I’ve grabbed the occasional non-fiction!
plumeriapassion
Hi! I would love to meet you!
Reply to plumeriapassion
MochisMom
Hi there, I like your photo and the color scheme. ☺️ Would be interested to meet for coffee sometime!
Reply to MochisMom

Borgleman

He / Him

Mountain View, CA

Borgleman's photo

The resident troublemaker

Where are you at in your life stage?
I'm 30ish and I've been working as a mechanical engineer for ~5 years. I am married and we have a small Russian tortoise. In terms of life stage, I've felt that I've been in a transitional phase since college, and am finally beginning to feel more established. I get a lot out of meeting new people but have found it tricky to establish in a community since the pandemic, so I am excited to meet some new folks through Around the Corner!
How's your life?
Things are going alright. Work is not bad and I am pretty happy with my core group of people. I have not been able to get outdoors as much as I would like. It has been challenging for my wife and I to balance taking our of our pets with return-to-office, and our dog has been needing lots of medical care. But otherwise, things are going well and I have good activities to keep the psych up.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My main activity is rock climbing which I have been doing since 2011, both outside and in the gym. I multipitch and sport climb but am a boulderer at heart. I'm happy to go climbing with new people, and if we click well, I definitely don't mind "playing guide." Every day out (with no injuries) is a good day!
I also play guitar as well as work on my own guitars. I've done a kit build and do all my own fret work/replacement, so not quite enough to say I build guitars.
Finally, I don't play many video games, but I have been playing Super Smash Bros on the Switch, for the last couple years, honestly putting in more hours than I would like!
What is most important to you right now?
In terms of personal growth, I am looking to expand my social circle and make new friends! I am also somewhat trying to evaluate my current career path and get myself to push growth or change when needed. I am trying to be more deliberate with my climbing routine and reach goals for this season, next year, etc. In terms of my day-to-day, the high priority has been making sure the pets are doing well, maintaining the home, and spending quality time with my wife, family, and friends.
Anything you recently found interesting?
The bananas you find at the grocery store are a variety called the Cavendish. Previously, the mainstream banana was a larger, tastier variety called the Gros Michel. The artificial banana flavor is apparently based on the Gros Michel's flavor. The Cavendish was regarded as a "junk banana" but replaced the Gros Michel in the 1920s when the Gros Michel was largely wiped out by disease. You can still find Gros Michel bananas in tropical areas or order them for a high price, but make sure you use a trusted banana dealer, as unscrupulous sellers will try to pass off hybrids as the real thing.
nicholas
That's really interesting history about bananas! Thanks for sharing. Rock climbing and Super Smash Bros. are my jam, but I prefer Melee :). If I were in the Bay Area, I would be a good person to connect with. Cheers, mate.
Reply to nicholas
Borgleman
Thanks, appreciate it!
Reply to Borgleman

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!
Reply to Hygge
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?
Reply to Scipius02