About us
Are you new to the Bay Area? Do you want to make new friends? Do you want to go hiking but don't want to do it by yourself? Are you curious about the breweries?
This group is for anyone interested in socializing and staying active in a relaxed and welcoming environment. We enjoy meeting new people so feel free to check out our events! Come say hi and see where that takes you :)
IMPORTANT RULES:
- Please RSVP before showing up and update it accordingly if you can no longer make it to the event.
- Please be respectful. We do not tolerate offensive behavior and ban people who harass other members of the group.
- The organizers are not responsible for any injuries or damage that may happen to you while attending any of our events, especially when doing anything outdoors such as hiking. You are responsible for your own safety at all times.
Welcome to the group and we look forward to meeting you in person!
Upcoming events
30
Spooky Hike Almaden Quicksilver: 7.5mi, 1.5kFtElevGain, Moderate Difficulty
Almaden Quicksilver Hacienda Entrance, 21785 Almaden Rd, San Jose, CA 95120, USA, San Jose, CA, USLet's hike Almaden Quicksilver! We'll be navigating around the haunted ruins of the New Almaden Quicksilver mine complex. Check out these links to learn more about how mercury from this mine was an integral part of the California gold rush (link), the communities involved in its operation and its impacts today (link).
And for those wanting to learn more about the spooky urban legends of Hicks Road, check out this Instragram reel or this blog post.
RSVP Cancellations
Attendees are asked to cancel by 12pm PST (noon) Saturday (10/10) to allow enough time for folk on the wait list to prepare for the hike. Attendees who cancel after that will be marked as "no-show".Hiking Route
Check out the route on AllTrails or Komoot. You can view the overall Castle Rock Park map PDF. The hiking paths we take will add up to roughly 7.5 miles in length with around 1,500 feet of total elevation gain. Depending on how the group feels, we may grab food in town after the hike.First time Hiking? Check out this guide to prepare and see the additional links below for more tips.
Trailhead Parking
We will be parking in the Almaden Quicksilver Hacienda Entrance lot (Google Maps, Apple Maps). Parking is free and there should be plenty of open spots.Bathroom Availability
There will be bathrooms at the parking lot (Apple Maps, Google Maps) but no bathrooms during the hike.Equipment & Hydration
Wear appropriate hiking shoes, (the right shoes/boots for your hike) comfortable clothing for the exertion and sun protection for the weather (sun-protective clothing and sunscreen lotion.Bring adequate water stay hydrated (how much water to bring) and snacks/lunch to stay fueled during the hike.
I encourage everyone to download the PDF map to their phone and sync the GPS routes to their smart device(s) ahead of the hike.
Wildlife Safety
Hiking involves a chance of encountering ticks, cougars, snakes, spiders and other wildlife on the trails. Here is a guide from REI for how to interact during various wild animal encounters (snake, cougar, etc.).For mountain lion (aka cougar, puma, catamount) encounters, follow these tips tips from the US Fish and Wildlife service.
For rattle snakes, follow these recommendations from the US CDC.
Regarding ticks, please read this helpful guide from REI and consider the option that works best for you. If you do find a tick on yourself, here is a helpful video and info guide from the US CDC on carefully removing it.
Weather
Hike will be cancelled if there is heavy rain, extreme heat or other unsafe weather conditions.Disclaimer & Assumption of Risk
By joining this event, you acknowledge that hiking and outdoor recreation involve inherent risks, including but not limited to slips, falls, wildlife encounters, changing weather, trail hazards, water crossings, dehydration, illness, vehicle accidents, and delayed access to medical assistance.Participants should remain alert for ticks, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, poison oak, uneven terrain, and other outdoor hazards common to Bay Area trails.
Participation is voluntary. Each participant is responsible for determining their own fitness, health, preparedness, equipment, hydration, navigation, and personal safety needs. Participants are responsible for carrying any personal medications or emergency supplies they may require.
Event organizers and hosts are volunteers, not professional guides, medical providers, or rescue personnel. Routes, pace, distance, weather, trail conditions, and group plans may change at any time.
By attending, you agree to assume all risks associated with participation and release the event organizers and hosts from liability for injuries, damages, losses, or claims arising from participation in the event, except where prohibited by law or caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Participants are responsible for their own transportation, personal property, and interactions with other attendees. Participants may choose to leave the group, continue ahead, or turn back at their own discretion and responsibility.
16 attendees
Discover SF -- Italian Heritage Parade & Fleet Week Fest
The Buena Vista Cafe, 2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA, San Francisco, CA, USWhatsApp:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EBGfVvK1G6wJMM3vujfMT7
----------Two events, one afternoon -- Italian Heritage Parade & Fleet Week.
- Have you thought of walking with the Italian heritage parade all the way from Fisherman wharf to North Beach?
- Have you thought of observing the Blue Angels flying over the bay from the green hilltop of Coit tower?
- Have you thought of descending onto the Pier 27 Fleet Fest through the famous steep Greenwich Steps, which we only ascended the last part of it in the North Beach Festival?
Here is our signature multi stop, civic and natural landmarks walk through the city, a full half day's Itinerary.
One Sunday, two celebrations. The 158th Italian Heritage Parade, the oldest in the U.S., marches through North Beach while the Blue Angels fly over the Bay for Fleet Week. We'll walk the parade together, explore North Beach in small groups, then gather at the foot of Coit Tower to watch the air show.
https://sfitalianheritage.org/
https://fleetweeksf.org/The plan
☕ 11:45–12:15: Gather at Buena Vista Cafe (2765 Hyde St at Beach). Name tags, quick intros, group assignments, and grab a coffee to go.
🚶 12:15: Walk to the start line at Jefferson & Powell, about 10 minutes along the waterfront.
🎺 12:30: Step-off. We walk with the parade down Columbus Ave through North Beach, past bands, floats, Queen Isabella's court, and restaurants seating people at the curb.
⛪ ~1:45: Washington Square. The parade ends in front of Saints Peter and Paul Church, next to the Concorso Italiano car show and the church's annual Bazaar.
👥 Small groups. We split into groups of 5–8, each with a TownFlame captain. Your group chooses its own hour: the Bazaar, the car show, espresso on Columbus, a slice of pizza, or City Lights bookstore.
✈️ ~2:45: Final gathering at Pioneer Park, the lawn at the foot of Coit Tower. We watch the Blue Angels close out the air show over the Bay.
⚓ ~4:00: Optional tail. Walk down the Filbert Steps, through the hillside gardens, to Fleet Fest at Pier 27 for military bands, food trucks, and a waterfront finish. It's open until 5.🙋 Active Participation roles open
- Culture Guide. You have Italian or Italian-American roots, or you know the traditions. Share stories about the parade, the food, and North Beach history.
- Locality Guide. You know North Beach, Telegraph Hill, or the waterfront. Point out what's worth seeing and help your group choose its hour.
- Squad Lead. Shepherd a small group of 5–8 after the split and bring them to Coit Tower.
- Sweep. Walk at the back so nobody gets lost in the crowds.
Every role is paired, so no one does it alone.
Getting there
Take Caltrain to 4th & King, then Muni. The Powell-Hyde cable car ends a few steps from the café, and the F-line streetcar runs along the Wharf. This is one of the busiest days of the year on the waterfront, so transit is strongly recommended over driving. Please plan your own route and arrive on time.We leave the café at 12:15 sharp. Running late? Wait at Leavenworth & Columbus, one block from the café. The parade passes there on its way into North Beach, and you can join us as we come by.
Good to know
Everything is free: the parade, the air show, and Fleet Fest. The day covers about 2.5 miles, including a climb up Telegraph Hill, so wear good shoes. Bring layers for the waterfront wind and something for sun on the hilltop. Name tags are required at TownFlame events.After the walk: if your group clicks, tell your captain. Groups that want to keep going can form a squad and plan their next outing together.
Join TownFlame, Make Life Happen.
Liability Waiver: Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.
13 attendees
Past events
480
