Wikipedia says the central valley is 18,000 sq mi., which is bigger than many of the northeastern states.
I would suggest focusing on one city or one section of a city.
I have run a hiking Meetup for many years. 90% of the people who come are from within a 15 mile radius.
I think one of the main things that counts is showing up every week like clockwork. The other thing that is very helpful is offering precise directions. People are often not good at reading maps.
Northern Central Valley division consists of about 25 cities, which is still a large region.
You're right. It would be best to focus on one city. That is where the trouble lies. Lathrop is a small city, and many people commute to work. Stockton and Modesto are the nearest more prominent cities.
It would be great to avoid 30 min - 1-hour drives, so I'm trying to cater to locals. So I guess the real question is, does anyone have experience growing a chess meetup in a small town?
Y'all are inspiring me to start a local OTB group too <3
We met in a local library in a small town for years. We got 15 to 20 players every week. You might visit your local library. They may have already had a group before the pandemic that could be started up again. They can help you post flyers, get local news listings, etc.
How are you on extra chess sets, clocks and things like that? Many people (especially beginners) don't bring their own. USCF sales offers you a discount if you tell them it is for hosting a chess club. Prices have varied over the years I'm sure, but the Tournament Director at my club got a bunch of chess sets from USCF like 30 years ago at less than $10 per set. I recognize prices are different now than they used to, but I'm sure you are still able to get a bulk discount by letting them know you are hosting OTB chess in your area. Sometimes there are also donations as well.
Just letting you know, so you don't have to invest full-price for things which could be discounted 
It looks like I have a good amount of gear to host informal chess meetups: 3 Tournament size complete sets, 3 sets of chess pieces, 1 'No Stress Chess' game, 2 small portable magnetic games, 2 round sets (2-4 players), and 1 timer (apps on cell ph too).
With the group I currently meet up with, as long as the host brings 2 sets, we have more than enough boards because regulars also bring sets.
If I shift to organizing a formal chess club, I will definitely look into the bulk discount. Thank you for the helpful info! 🙂
That would be great to have an adult chess club or group in the central valley. I have thought about starting one, but I just don't have the time to really organize. I even bought 4 tournament sets and 4 clocks, but I never got the ball rolling for the group. Keep me updated. I would love to come to an adult social chess club. It is really unfortunate that the only chess clubs I found for adult participation was with tournaments. I'm not looking to really pay to play, but to have a social group where we can come together and play OTB chess.
When I was considering starting a club, I was thinking once a month and put some simple flyers up at a local coffee shop that stated the event, place and time. Allow people to come and join in some chess. Places like Starbucks and coffee shops are great locations. It is even how the you tube channel, "Coffee Chess," got started. You have tables, can grab a coffee and play some chess. I even found a social club for chess at the Livermore IHOP. That club does not exist anymore, unfortunately. Manteca has a few coffee shops, but I believe Modesto may have more and a 20 to 30 minute drive is more reasonable than having to drive to the Bay Area just to pay for a one day chess tournament.
Let me know if you get this started, be cool to see a social adult chess club in this area.
@npiano209 Based on what you've said, I wonder if you'd like to look into a co-organizer opportunity through the Chess.com Global Community on Meetup.com. The commitment only requires 1 event every two months.
I've started the Lathrop Chess Meetup, and the first meetup is planned for Sat. April 15th. I'll message you with the details.
If you want teens, you should probably avoid meeting in a bar.
In my city, a group of people starting getting together at a local fast food place more than twenty years ago. During the COVID shut-down, the owner refinished some tables so they now have chess boards.
Hi
Great idea
@Ziryab
Yes, I agree. Teens should have space, like at a rec center or mall. Teens can meet through Scholastic Chess too, which is excellent.
There is quite a bit in my area for teens, tweens, and kids, so my chess meetup mainly focuses on bringing together adult chess players.
I love that the owner now has chess tables for that group! That was such a kind gesture.
@Ziryab
Yes, I agree. Teens should have space, like at a rec center or mall. Teens can meet through Scholastic Chess too, which is excellent.
There is quite a bit in my area for teens, tweens, and kids, so my chess meetup mainly focuses on bringing together adult chess players.
I love that the owner now has chess tables for that group! That was such a kind gesture.
You might be able to see them at this link: https://www.facebook.com/119592698054858/photos/pb.100057295366560.-2207520000./4751631848184230/?type=3
It's nice that the owner appreciates the patronage of chess players. The main instigator of meeting there died a few years ago and the restaurant hosted the memorial service.
Northern Central Valley in CA needs more chess groups for adults.
Also, it could use informal chess groups for kids, teens, and tweens.
In my search for a nearby meetup, I've found nothing for adults and only Scholastic Chess Clubs. There are random posts from parents looking for chess players near their children's ages and unanswered comments from adults asking if chess groups are active.
This seems to be a challenging region for a chess group to succeed, so suggestions are welcome.