There's a whole world in there!

Besides Christmastime, summer is my favorite time of the year. It’s sundress, shorts and sandals weather – and as a single gal, it’s a great time to get out and get my swirl on. But where, oh where — many of you have asked — do you go to meet guys these days? Actually, my single ladies, it’s easier than you think.

Malls, markets, bookstores, and bars are still places to meet single guys. I’m still a fan of online dating sits (even though it hasn’t worked for me) and searching Facebook friends of friends can provide an e-six degrees of separation hook-up you may never get offline.

Also consider things you enjoy – or would like to try – and let that be your guide. In my case, training for my first L.A. Marathon meant hours trekking from El Segundo to Redondo Beach and frequent run-ins with like-minded hoofers, one of whom I later dated. For a friend of mine who loves to travel, a singles cruise to Mexico led her down the aisle a year later. (And weddings, by the way, are still great places to meet men.)

Or, you can surf the web for some interesting ideas from a multitude of sites that have articles on the subject. I did, and here are some suggestions that I particularly like:

• Go back to school: Taking a class, any class, will not only allow you to learn something new, but make new friends with similar interests, according to essortment.com. Conversation is always easier if you have something in common.

• Eat out: Busy, single men don’t have time to cook, says stylecaster.com. This is why they need a girlfriend! Just kidding. However, when they are tired and hungry after work, they dine out at restaurants. So if you want to meet a new man, try a new restaurant at least once a week…or become a regular at one of your favorites.

• Hit the gym: Hot guys with toned bodies, need we say more?, says sheknows.com.

• Get a dog: A dog can be woman’s best friend when it comes to meeting men, says askmen.com. But don’t take Fido for just any old walk — bring him to the local dog park for a more social stroll. That way, while the pooch plays with his new pals, you can make a few of your own.

• Host a shindig. Throwing parties is one of the best ways to get yourself into the dating scene, according to ladieshomejournal.com. Have your guests bring a friend, and even if you don’t meet an eligible bachelor at your own shindig, becoming the hostess with the mostest will naturally get you reciprocally invited to barbecues, wine-tastings, poetry readings, etc. where you might meet Mr. Right.

• Fly the friendly skies: The next time you have a flight, look out for cute guys who might also be flying the same plane,” suggests allwomenstalk.com. And who knows, maybe your seat will be next to his!

• Be politically active: The hottest political organization these days is the Save Darfur Coalition, according to cosmopolitan.com. Stars like George Clooney are getting involved in the movement, and the number of members (read: smart, passionate guys) is rapidly increasing. If you feel fired up for the cause too, check out upcoming rallies, vigils, roundtables, and concerts. Or join a political campaign. The best part: many senatorial and gubernatorial campaign teams are male-dominated (and) the atmosphere is intense… which lends itself to a live-for-the-moment attitude that’s conducive to love connections.

• Follow those Northern lights. Alaska is a gold mine…or, rather, a man mine, according to yourtango.com. When all else fails, the rush is still on for oil millionaires, outdoorsmen and generally all-around great guys. Parking yourself on a street corner with a sign that says, “I’m single and looking for trouble” should do the trick.