Question about where/when to pay earnest money

[Scott Michael]

I have a question about how earnest money works. I've asked where to send the earnest money when I sign a purchase and sale contract with a seller. It's been answered that the money should go to a title or escrow company (I am in CA). But if I haven't shopped the deal yet and don't have a buyer isn't it too soon to open escrow? How do you pay the earnest money without opening escrow? Thanks everyone!