What kind of events do you go to. How do find them? Meetup.com?
It's unfortunate that Google moved. Their location in Santa Monica was great. I'm sure it was too small though. I think it will take a long time before the Venice and Santa Monica bubbles merge.
Meetup is pretty good, and just trying to connect with people as much as possible is very helpful. I'd often find a group just by talking to others.
while everywhere else you can get to know people by accident at coffee shops, supermarket lines, etc, that will never happen at LA.
that said, i still get 150k job offer for venice every week. so i have no idea what those people saying you will starve if your startup bust are talking about.
I've met many people at js.la, laruby, and events at General Assembly and CoLoft.