Using a service like match.com is nice IF you live in an urban area. There are a lot of quality younger people out looking for a date, especially where I was in southern California. I had just moved to the area and didn't have guys to hang out with at the time, so online dating was perfect.
A bit of advice:
You have to market and sell yourself. I actually put a profile up of a reasonably attractive girl, just to see what kind of responses it would get. Within a day, my mailbox was swamped. Mostly by meatheads with lines like, "Hey, I thought your profile looked interesting" or "Yur cute." Some just sent the same message to every girl, which ain't gonna work.
You have to stand out and make her first screening.
How?
1) Your first picture has to be top notch (try to get at least one full body shot. Nobody wants a fatty)
2) The title of your e-mail has to let her know that you're what she's looking for,
3) Your e-mail has to be tailored to her
4) profile has to grab her attention.
A good e-mail title would be:
"Dashingly charming 24-yr. old Guy in Newport Beach"
With this title, you've let her know that
1) you're local
2) you're not some 40-year old dude looking for young meat
3) you've got a bit of confidence and are willing to be playful with words
#1 and #2 are, I guarantee you, the most annoying aspects of online dating. I got tons of e-mails from girls that lived a kabillion miles away or who were not in the age bracket I was after.
Also, don't go for the number on the first e-mail. Let her get some time to get acquainted. At least wait until the second, though I sometimes found most girls felt more comfortable on the third.
I might some real quality girls when I dated online. Definitely some cuties, and one I ended up dating for several months.