South Bay 50+ Social Hikers

Sat, Oct 25 · 09:00 PDT

St. Joseph's Hill (from Vasona) w/Pacific Catch and Dancing Zombies :A Threefer

Vasona Lake County Park, 333 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA, US

That's right, A three part event all for one low low price: $0, but these prices won't last so sign up now!
Part 1. The Hike: We'll start from Vasona Park in Los Gatos and climb to the top of St Joseph Hill and back. Great views from the top. Mostly shaded with cool temps forecasted. There are restrooms at the trailhead. $6 parking (or free if you park a few blocks away on University Ave) or, carpool :
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/wk8a7y

Trail (link valid only for 10/25/25): St Joseph's
A total of 7.5 miles (4 flat) and 1000' of elevation gain. This will rank as one of our easier hikes, after all, no point killing anyone off, we can leave that to the zombies.
Part 2. Lunch (1pm reservation): Pacific Catch in the Pruneyard (1875 S Bascom Ave Ste 550 Campbell, CA 95008) is just a short 9 minute drive away. Lots of great choices that have swam, crawled, or walked to your lunch plate. Check out their menu. If we linger long enough, we'll be just in time for the main event:
Part 3. Dancing Zombies! A performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" will start at 3 pm sharp, in the Pruneyard featuring members of our very own SB50+Social Hikers (all of whom will appear to have suffered horrific deaths, and yet, just won't stop dancing ! ) You've gotta see this! Non-hikers welcome too, just gather in the courtyard by Luna restaurant.

DONT FORGET TO MULTIPLY YOUR BILL BY 1.3 (FOR TAX AND TIP) AND TRY TO BRING CASH.
The IOPQ will be : What has been your all time best (or worst) Halloween Costume?
ATTENDANCE: If you are signed up for a hike, or on the waitlist, please remove yourself to the "not going " list as soon as you become unsure about attending, so another wait lister can have adequate notice that they are going. Also, it is not okay to just show up to a hike you are not listed as "going" to. Hikers who violate these policies will have that information noted on their permanent record, and their parents may be notified.
DO NOT ATTEND if you're experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, have a compromised immune system, or if you've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.
LIABILITY WAIVER By joining this group for any event, you hereby release its organizers, hosts, and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein.
Disclaimer: The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group does not certify the expertise of its event organizers or hike leaders - We are volunteers. All hike distances, routes and elevation gains are approximations and can vary from time to time. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, poles, hat, sunscreen, first aid, food, gear, electrolytes, and water. You should consult your physician if you have any medical conditions that might limit your ability to engage in this type of activity.

Sat, Oct 25 · 18:30 PDT

Come Try Contra Dancing at the Halloween Dance (costumes optional)

First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, US

Special Halloween Contra Dance!!! Wear your (dance-able) costumes!! (Of course, costumes are not required, but they ARE admired!)

Susan Petrick will call to live music of Rodney Miller (fiddle), Paul Kotapish (guitar), Daniel Steinberg (piano), and Ezra Steinberg (percussion).
Day: Saturday, Oct 25, 2025.

Time: 7 to 10 PM with a free beginners’ lesson at 6:30 PM.
Venue: Second floor, First United Methodist Church Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
Cost: Pay what you can. Recommend $15 for BACDS members, $20 for non-members, $10 for students. Purchase in person or online (https://paloaltocontradance.org/calendar/).
Values: Hosting inclusive dances is a priority. Bringing a partner is not necessary, and dancers are encouraged to switch partners after each dance. Dances are called in a gender-free format, and emphasis is on safe and respectful dancing.

What is Contra Dancing?

Contra dancing is a partner dance that features live music and long lines of dancers. An evening features multiple contra dances and usually a couple of waltzes. Contra dancing is a fantastic introduction to dancing because the basic steps are based on walking and are taught at the start of every dance and called throughout each dance. It is also a fun dance for experienced dancers because the dances are rather flexible, allowing people to add flourishes (like twirling or skipping) around the basic walking steps.

Is Contra dancing for me?

YES! We welcome people old and young, of all genders, races, nationalities, and other identities, and strive to create an inclusive dance floor. Notably, our dances are called/announced using gender-free terms.

Can I come without a partner?

YES! Dances have a mix of people who come with partners and those that don’t. Typically, everyone switches partners through the course of the evening to meet new people and experience the dance and energies of different people.

But I’m hesitant to try something new! How can I ease in?

Every dance hosts a 30-minute free beginner’s lesson covering the different ways of walking (Contra dance moves). Come check it out! If you like it, stay on. Otherwise, you’ll be in downtown Palo Alto with lots of good food, music, and desserts on a Saturday evening. Classic win-win situation.

Okay! What do I need to go dancing?

a. Wear comfortable, supportive, clean non-marking shoes.
b. Wear comfortable clothes, because the dance room can get warm. If you’d like, wear a flowy garment so the twirls are more fun.
c. We are no longer requiring participants to wear a mask. You may bring an N95 or KN95 mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.
d. Bring cash to pay for the dance or pre-purchase online at https://paloaltocontradance.org/calendar/
e. Bring a water bottle. We do have a water fountain at the venue.

Wed, Oct 29 · 09:30 PDT

Forest of Nisene Marks with Sevi's, vaccinated only

Peet's Aptos, 50 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA, US

This hike will be about 7.2 miles with approx 800' elevation gain in the lovely Forest Of Nisene Marks. Let's meet at Peet's (50 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, CA 95003) and we'll start the hike from there. This is the route we will follow: Alttrails map

After the hike, its a short drive (or walk even) across the street to Sevi's for our 1:00 reservations. Sevi's has a lovely outdoor seating area complete with koi pond and is conveniently located right next to the freeway for easy access on our way home. Address: 7500 Old Dominion Ct, Aptos, CA 95003. Please plan to bring cash & remember to bring enough to cover your food & drink cost multiplied by 1.3.
As always, Carpooling is always fun. Please ignore the date in the name of the carpool, I'm too lazy to make a new one & the name is not editable! Click here to offer to drive or sign up to ride:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/irqpfh

The IOPQ this week is: What's your favorite board game?

ATTENDANCE: If you are signed up for a hike, or on the waitlist, please remove yourself to the "not going " list as soon as you become unsure about attending, so another wait lister can have adequate notice that they are going. Also, it is not okay to just show up to a hike you are not listed as "going" to. Hikers who violate these policies will have that information noted on their permanent record, and their parents may be notified.
DO NOT ATTEND if you're experiencing any cold or flu symptoms, have a compromised immune system, or if you've been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.
LIABILITY WAIVER By joining this group for any event, you hereby release its organizers, hosts, and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for illness, injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice, or information contained herein.
Disclaimer: The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group and its event organizer and members from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Over 50 Social Hiking Group does not certify the expertise of its event organizer - I am a volunteer. All hike distances, routes and elevation gains are approximations and can vary from time to time. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, poles, hat, sunscreen, first aid, food, gear, electrolytes, and water. You should consult your physician if you have any medical conditions that might limit your ability to engage in this type of activity.