Why did I start this group? I decided to start this group because I'm looking to meet friends with similar interests who want to take advantage of L.A. with me. I moved to Manhattan Beach from my home state of Iowa in 2002 but spent the past 3 years back in Iowa. The beach and warm weather called me back, so here I am again! Many of my friends are unavailable because they have moved, have new young families that are the priority, or always seem to be in the middle of a crisis. I'm looking for down to earth people (both guys and ladies) who want to hang out and do the same kinds of things I want to do: meet for dinner/drinks in the south bay or around L.A., do anything outdoors from hiking to volleyball to riding bikes to Santa Monica and back, play board games, go bowling, catch some live music, explore L.A., go on weekend trips, camp, learn to surf, go boating, play pool, try anything new, go to see the taping of a show, check out museums, attend a comedy club, or just grab a cup of coffee and chat.

What is the purpose of this group? This group is for people who want to meet others in the same age range of 25-45 that also live in the south bay (or are at least willing to get together in the south bay). I want to be clear that the main purpose of this group is to make friends (thus the name Just Friends). So please do not come here with the main purpose of trying to find your soulmate or a bootycall. Should two people have chemistry and hit it off...great! But please, if you feel a connection with someone who does not reciprocate the sentiment, let it go and don't be creepy! (That goes for both guys and ladies, and not abiding is grounds for dismissal from the group).  I will start by planning events mostly in the south bay, but would eventually love to plan other events around L.A. and weekend getaways.  Before we head to far out of the south bay, I think it'll be best to get to know each other locally.  That way, once we're comfortable with one another, we can share resources like carpooling, being the DD, overnight accomodations, etc. (whatever may apply to the situation).  My hope is that people will get together and find other people they click with, and on their own plan on meeting up at other times, like making weekend plans going to see some live music, for example.

This group is for normal, down-to-earth people who want to meet south bay friends in the same age group (25-45) with similar interests in a comfortable, casual setting. Any color, religion, sexual orientation, marital/kid status, education level, career, race, policital affiliation, shape/size, income (or lack thereof), athletic ability, pet-preference, mode of transportation, singing voice, sports team selection, shoe size, amount of hair on back/head/ears/toes, size of aluminum foil ball collection, etc. is fine. What is mandatory: you should be a friendly person; love life, laughing and smiling; respect other people; drama-free; a non-perv, a non-flake, and you are allotted only one carry-on of baggage...check your other large baggage at the door because we don't have room for that at our get togethers!  What is recommended:  taking a shower and brushing your teeth (or tooth) within a couple of days of meetup events (though not mandatory, it might help you make more new friends).  :)  I can't wait to meet all of you!   Thanks for joining!!!!  --Rachel