Moving to the Bay Area? Here’s Your Guide to Settling In, Exploring, and Making Friends
If you’re reading this, you’re probably planning a move to the Bay Area, or you just arrived. Either way, welcome! You're in the right place.
Every year, thousands of people move here for jobs, school, or a fresh start. And while the Bay is full of opportunity, starting over in a new city can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to making friends.
This guide is here to help you get grounded, explore your new surroundings, and most importantly, find your people.
What Is the Bay Area?
The San Francisco Bay Area is more than just SF. It’s an entire region built around the San Francisco Bay, more commonly known as "the Bay.” The Bay brings everything together, the cities, the bridges, and the neighborhoods. Around here, you're always close to nature, coastal views, and something new to explore.
The Bay Area stretches about 60 miles from San Francisco down to San Jose, covering dozens of cities and hundreds of neighborhoods along the way. Each city has its own vibe:
San Francisco – A walkable, iconic city full of startups, creatives, and culture.
Oakland & Berkeley (East Bay) – Known for diversity, art, activism, and a strong local vibe.
South Bay (San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Milpitas) – Suburban and tech-centric, home to thousands working in Silicon Valley.
Peninsula (Daly City, South San Francisco) – A practical area for commuters, blending suburbia with easy access to San Francisco.
North Bay (Marin, Sausalito) – Ideal for those who love nature, coastal views, and a quieter pace of life.
Tri-Valley (Pleasanton, Walnut Creek) – Suburban living with good schools, shopping centers, and a slower lifestyle compared to the core Bay.
How to Make Friends in the Bay Area
Making friends as an adult in a new city is hard. But here’s what can work in the Bay Area:
Go to local events like Off the Grid, First Fridays, farmers markets, and street fairs.
Join clubs or sports leagues, ultimate frisbee, climbing gyms, rec soccer, and especially pickleball, which has exploded in popularity. Many local courts offer casual pickup games that are extremely beginner-friendly, so you do not need to be good to jump in and meet people.
Work from co-working spaces or community-focused cafes, not just alone at home.
Using connection apps, Kardn helps people who just moved meet others based on shared interests, not just location.
Most people here are either new or moved here once themselves. Everyone remembers how hard it was to start fresh. Take the first step, it goes a lot further than you think.
Tips for Moving to the Bay Area
Say yes to new experiences, even solo ones.
Create a routine, go to the same gym, cafe, or park to build familiarity.
Reach out, people here are friendly but busy. You won’t regret being the one to initiate.
Use tools like Kardn to search for people based on the life you want to build, from hiking buddies to coffee hangouts
Why Kardn?
Kardn is built for people who are new to the Bay Area. Instead of endless swiping or awkward group chats, Kardn helps you meet people based on shared goals, interests, and lifestyle.
Moving to a new city like San Francisco or Oakland can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to. The Bay Area is full of people just like you: new here, looking to explore, and open to making real connections.
Use Kardn to meet friends, explore neighborhoods, and make this city feel like home.