Hike 22 Exclusive Private Preserve History & Nature Hike

Tuesday June 3, 2025 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

The preserve we are visiting protects more than 3500 acres and it connects Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park to Henry Coe State Park. It is an important habitat for vulnerable native wildlife such as the California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders. On our expert-guided walk, we will pass ranch ruins including an historic stone house, barn and old farm equipment. Later on, we walk through woodlands, chaparral and grassy meadows with views of the valley and ponds that harbor butterflies and other insects, birds and amphibians. Along the way we learn about the preserve’s history and the wildlife we encounter. This special walk is made possible by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Learn more about them by visiting www.openspaceauthority.org Photos by John Clecker Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons and Greg Schechter from San Francisco USA CC BY 2.0

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 3.0
Location: San Jose CA 95120
Additional Benefits: Transportation and lunch are included


Day Trip 6 Pajaro Valley Edible Agriculture & History Day Trip

Tuesday June 10, 2025 from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM

Join us for a healthy, entertaining and educational day on a farm where we will eat our way through the berries and vegetables. After an amazing home-cooked lunch that includes vegetables from the farm, we will tour an historic home, garden and genealogy archive. For more details and to register, please use this link www.bayareaolderadults.org/BAO-June2025-day-trip

Location: Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Fee includes transportation, lunch, activities, gratuities and two tour leaders.


Hike 12 Dragonfly & Damselfly Seasonal Walk

Wednesday June 11, 2025 from 08:30 AM to 01:00 PM

Did you know that in the summer and early fall dragonflies and damselflies migrate to warmer weather here in California? These small insects have an incredible ability to fly long distances. On this leisurely, flat walk we will learn about their flying ability, the differences between these two suborders of insects and other, and view some of the species that live here year-round. Afterwards, we enjoy a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water. Image by Charles J. Sharp CC BY-SA 4.0.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070 or Sunnyvale CA 94089
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included


Event 1 Painting the Great Outdoors

Wednesday June 18, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM

This morning, we will relax with a friendly group of people and spend a couple of hours learning en plein air (French for outdoors) watercolor painting at a local park. Potential subjects of your artwork that can be found at the park are historic buildings, landscape, flowers and heritage trees. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be supplied. After a social picnic lunch, we will tour the restored Jose Maria Alviso Adobe (circa 1837) that is in the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only remaining original Monterey Colonial style building in the Bay Area and is now a museum. This special art and history adventure is made possible by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Learn more about them by visiting www.openspaceauthority.org

Location: Cupertino, CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation, lunch, bottled water and painting supplies are included


Hike 13 Thornwood Preserve Exploration

Wednesday June 25, 2025 from 08:30 AM to 02:00 PM

On this two-mile, shady one-way hike in Thornwood Preserve we will stop for a visit to Shilling Lake, and search for wildflowers and other plants. Along the way, we will learn about some of the unique characteristics of Coastal redwoods that enable them to survive in adverse environmental conditions. This hike is flat for the first mile and gradual 400 foot downhill for the second mile. After our walking tour, we will enjoy a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Image by Anne Ferguson.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included