What we’re about
Welcome to our Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Jose hiking and friendship group. Make friends and sweat 💦😅😋😊👍.
We offer an array of outdoor activities, with a focus on moderate to challenging hikes. Our hikes are also a place to learn some of the natural history of our area. Some hikes will go slowly enough to identify and photograph plants and mushrooms, and the occasional newt or bird (or mammal, of course). Other hikes are more focused on getting a good workout in a beautiful environment, in the company of other pleasant people. Most of our hikes are a mix of the two. Please be compassionate and mindful of everyone during our hikes.
We also sponsor a smaller number of indoor activities, be it (optionally) getting together at a pub or restaurant after a hike, or our monthly, roving trivia night. We sometimes refer to these events, affectionately and mirthfully, as "Connect Indoors".
Please join us!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Hike / Wildflower Show [Garland Ranch Park, Carmel Valley]Garland Ranch Visitors Center, Carmel Valley, CA
The wildflowers of Garland Ranch continue to bloom when other areas have turned brown with Summer. Meet us at the annual Garland Ranch Wildflower show on Sunday for a mid-day hike. We will meet there around 10am and take a little time to browse and ask the rangers where the flowers are blooming.
Our hike departs at 10:30am -- look for us just outside of the flower display at 10:25am.
After the hike, we can double check the displays to identify any mysterious species we come across (take a good picture).
This is a rapidly developing event, please check back for details — we will have a couple of hiking options ready but may adjust last minute based on feedback from volunteers at the show, for where the best blooms are to be found.
The hikes we are considering are between 4 and 6 miles, with possible extensions for the hard core (you know who you are!) Let us know in the comments if you are ready for some serious hill climbing, or prefer to tip-toe through the tulips (TBH, there will be hills either way, but they do have some serious hills at Garland!)
Recheck this page before the hike, ~10am, in case of updates!
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
- Summer Solstice 8x8 - First 8 Mile Hike at Fall Creek, FeltonFall Creek unit, Henry Cowell redwoods state park, Felton, CA
Let's celebrate the longest day of the year! Friday, June 20, 2025
In celebration of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, join a group of happy hikers on two hikes, ~8 miles each, in two beautiful State Parks: Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks. Sign up for one or both, separately.First 8 Mile Hike at Fall Creek: We'll start the day at 8:00am with a trail that is a bit more than 8 miles in the beauty of Fall Creek. Our route is a fun but challenging hike with approximately 1500 ft total elevation gain (miles and elevation gain are estimates).
Our route on AllTrails. It's a lazy figure eight kind of route: Fall Creek Trail - Fall Creek South Fork - Cape Horn - Fall Creek - S-Cape - Ridge - Truck - Big Ben - Fall Creek - Fall Creek North Fork - Fall Creek Trail. Covered by the shade of the Redwoods, we get the most sun on Ridge & Truck Trail. We'll enjoy the peaceful sound of water for much of the hike.
Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.
Start and Finish Together: We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.
Parking: No fee for parking and no dogs allowed on these trails.
When we've returned to our starting point, we'll regroup in the parking lot before (hopefully) beating Friday traffic on Hwy 1 South to Nisene Marks for our second 8 mile hike! Sign up for Nisene Marks in a separate event.
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
- Summer Solstice 8x8 - Second 8 Mile Hike at Nisene Marks & Aptos St BBQPeet’s Coffee, Aptos, CA
Let's celebrate the longest day of the year! Friday, June 20, 2025
In celebration of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, join a group of happy hikers on two hikes, ~8 miles each, in two beautiful State Parks: Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell and Nisene Marks. Sign up for one or both, separately.Second 8 Mile Hike at Nisene Marks: Some may start with this hike and meet up with others who began the day at Fall Creek. We'll enjoy this 8 mile trail in the cool shade of the Forest of Nisene Marks and make our way to Maple Falls. After the hike, we will carry on the summer solstice celebration at nearby Aptos St BBQ.
This is the second of two 8-mile hikes. Starting from the Porter parking lot, this trail is around 8 miles, clockwise over Loma Prieta Grade down to Bridge Creek Trail that takes us to Maple Falls. We'll return by way of Bridge Creek Trail after a short break at Maple Falls. Our route on AllTrails. Distance, elevation gain, and time is an estimate. Please be flexible and allow around 4 hours hiking time.
Please note: the trail closer to Maple Falls includes some climbing and scrambling. Gloves come in very useful to make your way over, around and up different types of natural barriers. There are several smallish shallow creek crossings on this section.
Be prepared: Hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet and have excellent tread are a must, along with gloves and clothing that will protect you from the ever-present poison oak. Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and any other items you'll need on a hike of this distance and elevation gain.
Start and Finish Together: following the first hike at Fall Creek, we'll regroup and gather at Peet's Coffee at 1:30PM to consolidate cars and carpool into the park. We hike at a quick pace of 2.5 to 2.8 miles per hour, pausing at all junctions and creek crossings to make sure the group stays together and no one gets left behind.
Parking: Porter parking lot is the furthest lot inside the park and parking may be limited at this time of day. We'll meet at Peet's to carpool into the park, departing by 1:30PM. State Park Pass or $10 per car required.
Dogs are not allowed on these trails.
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for a night at the pub, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
- Franklin Point & Butano State Park: North Coast Explore!Butano State Park, San Francisco, CA
Stay cool this Wednesday by hiking in the ocean breeze. We’ll be exploring Butano in the afternoon and then (extended option) catch the sunset at Franklin Point!
There is also a short walk in wetlands we can explore between Butano and Franklin Point, known to bird watchers. Combined, all three hikes would be about 7 miles & ~900’ elevation.
Join One or Both:
1) Moderate (4.5 miles) but strenuous hike in Butano
2) Sunset / Full Moon Rising! Starts w mellow walk through the Pescadero marshlands (bird habitat), finishing at Franklin Point for the celestial handover.Full Details Coming!
Comment below, or message me, if you have questions.
Schedule (TBD):
4pm - Meet at Butano [Coming] HIKE
6:30pm — Meet at the marsh [“]
7:30pm -- Walk to Franklin Point: Meet at the "North Whitehouse Creek Trail" directly across Highway 1 from the main Costanoa entrance. Here is the route from Hwy 1 Brewing. Note there is another trail labelled Franklin Point, but we will walk the N Whitehouse trail. The parking area is not highly visible from the road, so watch for the big Costanoa sign (see image in photos).Butano Parking: The main lot is convenient, but as a State Park you will want to bring an annual pass or pay a small fee (~$6-10).
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Stay cool this Wednesday by hiking in the ocean breeze. We’ll be exploring Butano in the afternoon and then (extended option) catch the sunset at Franklin Point!
Combined, the three hikes will be about 6 miles & ~500’ elevation.
Legal Disclaimer: The organizers and hosts in this group are not professional guides, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests and property. By signing up for this hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any social activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers and event hosts of this Meetup group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. As always, this is a “Participate at your Own Risk” event.
![Hike / Wildflower Show [Garland Ranch Park, Carmel Valley] cover photo](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/8/4/b/event_528486219.webp "Hike / Wildflower Show [Garland Ranch Park, Carmel Valley]")
