What to do for fun when you’re sober? Anything you want! But having safe spaces and planned sober activities in Orange County makes it so much easier to enjoy your new sober life. We’ve curated a list of local sober activities, general sober fun, local support resources, and tips for a night out.
Key Points
- The Alano Club is in Newport Beach and offers community events and access to the alcohol-free clubhouse.
- Online directories like Meetup and The Phoenix share a wide range of sober events, activities, and opportunities for connection.
- Outdoor adventures are endless in Orange County, with farmers’ markets, beaches, city and nature parks, and more.
- Studies show that self-care practices can have a measurable, positive impact on recovery.
- Try yoga, pilates, meditation, nature walks, spa days, volunteering, and more to promote personal well-being and mental health.
Sober-Focused Activities
When you’re living a sober life, what unique experiences can you have in Orange County? We know community life is so important to successful recovery and are committed to being and finding resources that help those in recovery. If you’re looking for sober activities near me, try some of these favorites!
Join The Alano Club
The Alano Club clubhouse is based in Newport Beach and hosts sober events and activities for the local recovery community. Their mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment where people in recovery can meet, connect, gather, attend meetings, enjoy the coffee bar, and love their sobriety.
Check Meetup or The Phoenix For Local Sober Events
Meetup and The Phoenis are open directories that list local events. On Meetup, you can search for sober events near you and find roller skate nights, group hiking adventures, yoga classes, pie socials, supper clubs, sober book clubs, and more.
The Phoenix is a sober-focused movement bringing the sober community together through fitness and social events. There is a wide variety of events throughout Southern California, from coffee socials to spin classes and pickleball tournaments, all sober and safe.
Follow Long Beach Alcohol Free Activities and Adventures
Meet new friends and form new relationships when you join the Long Beach Alcohol Free Activities and Adventures Facebook community. They plan and host in-person events in the local Long Beach area and in nearby communities, including Orange County. Join the Facebook group with over 600 others and find the next activity!
Drop In at One of Orange County’s Zero-Proof Spots: Bar Nuda
Orange County has a few hot spots for alcohol-free fun and zero-proof spirits, perfect for a night out or a family dinner without the awkwardness. At the top of the list is Bar Nuda, a pop-up spot and the first Mexican-inspired bar experience in LA serving only nonalcoholic, functional cocktails. Each drink is handcrafted for relaxation and rejuvenation and is inspired by native Mexican ingredients. Follow on Instagram for the latest pop-ups.
General Sober Fun
Throw a Strike at Linbrook Bowling
Bowling is the kind of ironic, “anyone can do it” type of fun that’s always a good time. Linbrook Bowling has late-night cosmic bowling, official leagues, regular trivia nights, and social events. This is a family-friendly establishment that does serve alcohol, but it’s only offered in a separate, enclosed bar.
Take Up A New Hobby
Does painting, pottery, poetry, or pickball sound fun? What about disc golf, guitar lessons, or tennis? Find a book club, theatre troupe, or church community. Each of these activities comes with a built-in community of people passionate about activities that have nothing to do with drinking or substances.
Host Your Own Fun
Think karaoke night, board game nights, or a themed trivia night. Get the crew together and make your own fun, sans the spirits. Or take it outside for kayaking, river floats, or a beach day at Huntington Beach or Laguna Beach. You only need a few supplies on hand, a few friends, and good energy to turn up the fun.
Outdoor Adventures
Discover Oak Canyon Nature Center
With four miles of hiking trails, Oak Canyon Nature Center is the central oasis that connects three adjoining canyons. This outdoor adventure is ideal for a peaceful walk or hike, outdoor yoga, reflection, or meditation.
Stroll Through Orange Home Grown Farmers Market
Open on Saturday mornings, the Orange Home Grown Farmer’s Market is located at Chapman University in the Becket Building parking lot. It’s a casual and crunchy event to connect with local growers and vendors, enjoy live music, and find fresh, local produce, baked goods, and more.
Plan A Picnic and Cornhole Party At One of Orange County’s Parks
There are dozens upon dozens of city, county, and state parks with beautiful settings, fun for the kids, and landscaped greens for picnics and fun. Check out this map of all local parks and find one near you, or close to your favorite takeout spot.
Get Moving At Santiago Creek Bike Trail
Explore the eight-mile trail system that connects Hart Park with the Santa Ana River. The gorgeous piece of nature offers scenic views and a chance to connect with nature while getting your heart rate up. Santiago Creek is officially a bike trail, but walkers are welcome, too.
Self-Care Activities
Self-care and recovery go hand-in-hand. In fact, studies show that participating in self-care activities is directly beneficial to overall recovery.[1] This is defined as intentional activities that help promote physical, mental, and emotional well‐being.
Self-care extends beyond just sobriety to include holistic health practices and wellness. Consider these self-care activities:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Pilates
- Red light therapy
- Gratitude journaling
- Group fitness
- Reading
- Nature walks
- Touching grass and grounding
- Candle-lit baths
- Spa days
- Foot massage
- Caring for animals
- Volunteering and helping others
- Learning a new skill
- Bettering yourself
Local Support and Recovery Resources
If you’re local and looking for meaningful connections, what are some popular sober meetups or groups in Orange County? Check out this list of vetted and reliable meetings for addiction recovery:
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Find an AA meeting near you
- Join Supportive Sober Housing: Find a sober living community near you
- Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Find an NA meeting near you
- SMART Recovery: Find a SMART Recovery meeting near you
- Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA): Find a CMA meeting near you
- Refuge Recovery: Find A Refuge Recovery meeting near you
- Marijuana Anonymous (MA): Find an MA meeting near you
- Cocaine Anonymous (CA): Find a CA meeting near you
Find Dedicated Support For Recovery
Experiencing community and feeling connected in recovery is critical to your success, especially after you complete formal treatment. Studies show it can have a measurable, positive impact on recovery.[2] But it can be difficult to stay connected to like-minded people and keep the momentum you gained in recovery.
Studies show that effective peer support and community can improve recovery outcomes, and those who had better social support were also the ones who didn’t relapse.[3] Finding a group of peers and providers that are as dedicated to the recovery process as you are can mean the difference between a lonely struggle and a thriving journey.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use disorder or alcohol addiction, connect with an Orange County treatment center for outpatient care, IOP programs, and support groups. Experience immersive, safe, and supported recovery within a sober living community that’s already doing the work.