I don't live in the US and don't know the answer to your question, however I just read the following about how to serve papers in California:
"A process server will usually make between three and five attempts. If your spouse is difficult to find or is hiding and evading service, then you may have to ask a court to allow you to serve your spouse by publication—which is where you post a notice of the divorce in a local newspaper."
The same website also suggests serving the person at a gym, or similar public space, if they frequent known places and are being evasive.