Making mom friends as an adult is basically dating, except everyone's tired and someone's eating sand. These are the OC groups that are actually active right now: walks, run clubs, playdates and a couple of free standbys. Weekend ones are marked, because most of these meet on weekday mornings and not all of us can.
Every group checked on its own page · Nov 2, 2026Straight from Thursday's newsletter. Most groups also meet during the week.
A weekly Saturday run (an easy 1 to 3 miles) that ends with coffee and other moms who get it. Strollers welcome, back-of-the-pack welcome, nobody is timing you.
The longer Sunday option (4+ miles) for the moms who want more distance and more time to talk it out. Same warm, no-judgment crew.
A hands-in-the-dirt family volunteer morning restoring the Los Cerritos Wetlands, organized by the Aquarium of the Pacific. A real way to do something good together and get the kids outside. Aquarium of the Pacific | Sign up
This weekend's mom meetups go out in the newsletter every Thursday. Get it here.
Grassroots groups run by local moms. Dates live on their Instagram, so follow the one closest to you.
A "tired moms run/coffee club," their words. Short early runs on Saturdays, longer ones on Sundays, coffee either way. Strollers welcome, and they sign up for family-friendly 5Ks together.
Started in OC and now everywhere. Each city chapter hosts walks, coffee and playdates a couple of times a month, usually weekday mornings. Newport Beach has a Saturday family playdate on Nov 21, and Fullerton has done Sunday meetups.
Coffee-and-playground walks, plus fancier ticketed mornings (mommy and me movement at a resort, founder happy hours). Next walk on the calendar: Thursday Nov 5, 10 AM.
The big one (15K followers). Mommy and me meetups with themes, like a Halloween Boo Bash and Disney meetups. Bigger crowd, more produced, good if you want an event to show up to instead of a walk.
"Messy hair, coffee stains, and zero filters." Mom walks and play dates like coffee strolls and pump track mornings in San Clemente. If you read this newsletter on purpose, these are probably your people.
"Low key, stress free mom meet ups." Clothing swaps, dance studio mornings, a clay class. Small and friendly, hosted by Christina.
Walks and events for Anaheim Hills moms, from character visits to trick-or-treating at a local retirement home (adorable, and you will cry).
Faith-based moms group: stroller walks, playdates, coffee and prayer. Their "Momsgiving" get-together is coming up this month.
More structure, more regulars, a little commitment.
The old-school option, and it works. Local chapters run by moms, with playgroups, park days and moms' nights out. Meetups are built around daytime, when at-home moms need it most. Ask the national site to connect you with the chapter for your zip code.
Stroller Strides: a real workout in a park with your baby in the stroller, and the same moms every week. It costs money, but the friendships are kind of the point.
Not a "group" exactly, but the same moms show up every week.
Songs, books, bubbles, and usually stay-and-play after. Same day and time every week, which is exactly how mom friends happen. A few branches also do evening PJ storytimes for working parents.
Free family events with crafts and activities, run by a local mom who knows everyone. Not a mom group, but a very easy place to meet one.
For the 3 AM part.
Breastfeeding and chestfeeding support meetings, in person and online. Bring the baby, nobody cares if they scream.
If it's more than tired, you're not the only one and it's not forever. PSI runs online support groups and a helpline that can point you to local help.
Most of these groups post their dates on Instagram, a week out, in a flyer. We read them so you don't have to. The weekend ones go in the newsletter every Thursday.
Groups change hosts, days and fees all the time. Check the group's page before you go. Listing here isn't paid and isn't an endorsement of anything except showing up.