I am really interested in hearing some advice on this, because I plan on moving to a larger city next year, and would greatly appreciate some ideas in advance...
So, speak up, sisters.

I've lived in LA for almost 6 years and I know how challenging it can be to meet quality people here. Unlike most cities LA is so spread out and you spend a lot of your time in your car which is very different than most other larger cities where people are out and about walking around. I'd love to say that it was easy making friends here but I'm not going to lie... It wasn't. I, too, wanted to move back home because I felt really alone. I came from a small town and had an amazing small group of friends all through high school and college. I decided to give it another year and got involved in things I was interested in. I started taking UCLA Extension classes to meet people, going to networking events, and reaching out to people I knew who knew people here just to expand my network. The biggest thing I did was become a YES person. Instead of declining invitations to do things... I started to say yes. Eventually I met people that I really clicked with and I can honestly tell you I have made some of the best friends ever. I think that friendships are really like relationships and just like with dating you don't fall in love right away (most of the time)... friendships take work too. Hang in there! It takes time but it'll get better :)

Get involved at your College. You are already at the center of a great networking place so get out and try some new things. I agree it is challenging meeting quality people here in LA, but just put yourself on a limb and go to meetings or events that interest you. I also agree that Meetup.com caters to an older crowd than ourselves but you have a school which probably hosts or is a liaison for many similar groups to those on meetup.
Feel free to contact me. I have had similar problems in LA.

Ahhh I agree! I live in LA and no one here is like me... everyone I meet here are either into drugs or party way too hard. You can meet some friends in college or work I guess? but I have been living here for 8 years and I haven't had any friends yet that I could call my bffs.

I lived in LA for almost 8 years and it probably wasn't until around 5 or 6 years in did I really start to make "real" friends. LA, as a city, is very self-centered and so people tend to, without realizing it, get very involved in themselves. I had to learn that people were never going to call me to do things - they just never thought about it. But I had to be proactive and call them. I know, it sounds weird but it worked. And when they don't call you cannot take is personally. And saying Yes to people when they ask you to do something really does help. Just don't go do anything you're not totally comfortable with doing. Also dont' discount people who are older than you because age really isn't a factor there. I have friends much older than me and some much younger than me. It is difficult and was one of the toughest times of my life but it did work out.

I also made many friends when I got a job where people there were more from all over rather than living in LA for a long time. It's difficult to join into groups of friends. Going to school and meeting people is also a great idea. You will have at least one thing in common with them. Or try joining some sort of group like a book club. I know it sounds a bit dorky but you will meet people.

I would also say learn to appreciate you're own company. There will be times you really want to go do something and cannot find a friend to go with you so u have to learn to be able to go by yourself. You'd be surprised how many people in LA actually do many activities alone. It's very common. Plus your first year out there is the hardest. Give it time and don't give up!

Get involved at colleges! They usually always have some type of play or movie screening. Also, LA is FULL of museums and art galleries. Why not try going to see a new exhibit? You might be able to meet other people interested in the same type of art as you. Try to look in a local newspaper (think LA equivalent of the OC Weekly) and see what events/concerts are in your area. You could even try branching out into cities just outside of LA so if you do find quality people it's only a half hour drive to see them or whatever.