About us
CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com
Group focused on hot springs, public and commercial, secret and not-so-secret, day trips, overnights, road trips, backpacking, spa retreats, anything to do with enjoying hot water..:-)
We will also be doing swimming hikes in the summer, backpacking trips in the warmer months, and snow-oriented trips in the winter. So anything to do with water whether it's hot, cold, or frozen..;-)
Featured event
Great Migration Photo Safari & Zanzibar Extension - Journey of a Lifetime!
We all have seen Lion King in one form or another . . . It's now time to go to the source.
Our meetup is off to Africa for The Great Migration Photo Safari! We did this amazing trip in the summer of 2024 and everybody had a blast! (see photos in the link below)
Encounter the exotic wildlife of the Serengeti! Marvel at the lions, zebras, elephants and so many majestic animals we have only seen in the zoo or in movies.
On Serengeti's vast, treeless plains tens of thousands of hoofed animals are constantly on the move in search of fresh grassland. This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to experience the best game viewing in Africa!
Like every trip we do with Meetup, this one is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.
The itinerary is:
July 5 Arrival Kilimanjaro Intl Airport and transfer to Arusha
July 6 Arusha to Tarangire National Park
July 7 Ngorongoro Crater full day game drive
July 8 Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park (Central Seronera area)
July 9 Serengeti (Central)
July 10 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
July 11 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
July 12 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) to Lake Natron
July 13 Lake Natron to Arusha
July 14 Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport
All of these locations don't mean much to you at the moment, but after the trip you will remember them forever as some of the best places you have ever visited!
How much does this cost?
African Migration Safari $4998 per person, double occupancy.
Single supplement $750. I.e. price for a solo accommodation $5748
We offer roommate matching for those, wishing to share and save.
***Airfare is not included.***
RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $350 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
Land Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals every day
- All park fees to Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- All concession fees to Tarangire and Serengeti.
- Crater service fees.
- Professional driver guide
- Open roof land cruiser vehicles
- Drinking water during the safari
We offer an Optional Extension 5-day to Zanzibar:
Price per person, Double occupancy $870.
Solo room - $1285
**Airfare from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) to Zanzibar is not included**
To sign up for Zanzibar, pay the $200 deposit through this secure link
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST
Have more questions?
Click here to message Anna
Click here to message Marc
AND/OR
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom
Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet other attendees.
To see pictures from our Photo Safari adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE
We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister group we post our local free, local/reginal camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here for our other events:
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOT 200318-10
Upcoming events
9
So you want to be an organizer? Find out how to post your own event on the group
·OnlineOnlineWhy not host some events. Great way to meet people!!!
Got an idea for an event or an event you want to do?
NOW is your chance!!!!
It's a new year coming up. AND you want it to be different than the last.
Do you find events and think: "Gee, . . . I like this event but want it closer, or on a different day, or just a little earlier or later."If you post the event you pick the time, and place and date that in convenient to you. As well as pick the content/topic/focus of the event.
What a win!!!
This meetup is a giant collaboration. In that vein we welcome new organizers.
These are basic rules all organizers must abide by and work within. Mostly they are all about showing a respect for the members.
Best Practices or the rules simplified.
- No Emailing and no using the "discussion" box
- No outside links
- All events are Hosted. There are no "no host" events.
- List any money costs in the first 2 or 3 lines.
- Special note about Repeat Events.
- Special note about city or area in title
Not too many rules. Not too complicated. They all have to do with respect for the membership.
1.) No Emailing AND No Discussion Box
The one BIG BIG rule I have is NOBODY messages the general membership via the email feature. Post the event and let Meetup send out all the notices. The discussion box is just another way for you to send spam. So that is closed, and only for the use and management by and of the (main) organizer only.2.) No Outside links:
No links to other meetups. No links to other social media (no instagram, no eventbrite, no twitter, no facebook etc).
For instance: Do not just put a Facebook link. Instead copy all the wording from FB and put the words. Plain and simple; Link's are lazy. So don't be lazy!!!
You want members to click the RSVP. So you don't give any other option that may lead them away from the event page.
*** If you "need" outside links of any sort: Contact the lead organizer and just make sure ok. It usually is. Just ask first.3.) Meetup does not allow "No Host" events. You or the listed Event Host will be there and present. You will welcome and make sure people can find you or the meetup area. And that people will be able to actually be able to meet others from meetup. If members in attendance report you are not attending your events you will not be allowed to continue to post events. If you want to post an "informational" event then go and post it on Craigslist.
4.) List money costs in the first few lines.
This has to do with email notices. The email version of the event sends the first few lines of the writeup. If it's free, . . .say it's free. If it costs . . . say it early so people have the info.
If it is free it is best to include the word "Free" in the title.5.) Events can repeat no more than every three weeks, unless you get permission ahead of time.
When making a repeating event DO NOT USE the auto-scheduling feature. After your event occurs log on and list it again.
The Auto-pilot is a problem as people forget they listed. They don't show up and people do. The complaints end up being filed against the group and not the organizer that bailed.
If you use the "repeat" feature it will be edited and the future ones edited off.6.) List the city or area in the title. You get better turnout and less flakes.
There are some general guidelines to making great events
General Guidelines:- Great wording
- Great Pix
- 4 weeks notice is best
Cost of posting events?
We do not charge for access to the group. We only ask that the event is good decent social and creates community.TO BE AN ORGANIZER ON THIS GROUP YOU NEED TO DO THREE THINGS:
#1 RSVP to this event.
#2 SEND A DIRECT MESSAGE TO THE LEAD ADMIN ON THE GROUP WHO CAN CHANGE YOUR STATUS TO BE ABLE TO POST AN EVENT. Click this link to send a Direct Message:
https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881INCLUDE IN YOUR MESSAGE:
- If you are an Event Organizer, Asst Organizer, Co-Organizer or Organizer of any meetup groups . . . List those. Links to the group is preferred so I can see what your events look like there.
- AND some links to current or past events.
- If you do organize things . . . but not on meetup . . . list links to those instead.
- If you have not organized anything before . . . Include links to samples of what you want to do or what you are thinking of.
#3 FILL OUT OUR GOOGLE FORM Click this link to fill out the form
https://forms.gle/d1yNnhUiNP6CzyCw7Question: Why do I have to do all three thing?
Answer: For us to have you post to the group we need to know (approximately) you wish to post. AND . . . we also need to trust you . . . AND . . . We want to get an idea of what kind of organizer you will be.These three things combined help us to do that. Do just one, or the other or not all three . . . Sorry . . . that's our rule. Do step One, Two and Three. On your group you can make your own rules. On ours . . . please respect ours.
Still got questions? Click this link to send a Direct Message:
https://secure.meetup.com/messages/?new_convo=true&member_id=273063881Organizing events is the best way to meet people.
We pay for the group and you don't have to. You post events and get attendees and have great social fun.
What a win!!!
note: the date of this event keeps moving to a date in the future so the event stays active and editable. And your RSVP stay active.
We will do a Zoom on that date and time and you can ask your questions in person or ask how do I organize things.
See you at the zoom . . . OR . . . forget about the zoom and send a DM/Direct Message
It's your choice.
Of course the best choice is to be able to post events and create good decent social.
So what are you waiting for?
13 attendees
Featured International Meetup Trips for 2025 & 2026
·OnlineOnlineThis Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.
Video Link: https://meet.google.com/irp-rnyi-fgb No software or download needed. Just open in a browser.
The date gets moved right before the event occurs. This way all the links posted to events keep working.
We have some truly EPIC Overseas events ahead. And Epic Adventure leads to Copious Questions.
To solve that . . . Let's Talk! Join us for a Q & A Zoom where you can ask all your Q's and get all your A's.
SCHEDULE
6:00 to 7:30pm PST is Q & A about our Overseas Events.
Such as Costa Rica, Japan Fall Colors, Angkor Wat, Everest Base Camp, Meetup On The Orient Express, Machu Picchu, Spain and Portugal...7:30 to 9pm PST Is about camping stuff. Newbie Q's. Gear. Food. Camping Tips.
Including Q & A and about specific local trips/events.Click Here for the The Local Events and Beginner Camping ZOOM event
To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM and/or RSVP to this event. We will email direct on the day of, to remind you.
What to talk about? Most of the convo will be on the following:
Sep 12, 2025 Bali & Singapore Journey (filled)
Oct 12, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with Wadi Rum (filled)
Oct 19, 2025: Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile (filled)
Nov 27, 2025 Catalina & Ensenada -- Thanksgiving Weekend Cruise
Feb 20, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI and Dubai
Mar 29, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 5, 2026 Costa Rica Eco Adventure
Jun 18, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits
Jun 27, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari! Africa’s Best Wildlife Show
Jul 05, 2026 Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Aug 03, 2026 Alaska Inside Passage & Glacier Cruise from San Francisco
Sep 09, 2026 France Culinary Explorer! Food
Sep 20, 2026 Meetup on the Orient Express
Dec 04, 2026 Vietnam & Cambodia (with Angkor Wat)
Mar 06, 2027 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2027 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek:To receive detailed itinerary on ANY of our events . . . CLICK HERE to fill out our google form.
Our events are all very safe, fun, curated, and organized.
Questions about Hotels, Flights, Meals, Museums, Power Plugs, Converters, Money Conversion or whatever!!
All the folks currently signed on to our events are invited to come and ask all the Q's and get all the deets they want to. They will also get them in writing too, but we know a lot of folks rather a face and voice compared to an email. It's that whole human interaction thing!
**To join the zoom FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM **We will email direct on the day of to remind you.
12 attendees
Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND w/ Valley Floor Activities - 4 days/3 nights...
Location not specified yetWe have done Yosemite before on the group.
And each and every time it fills up early with lotos of people with big sadness they can not go.
Plain and simple . . . our events have limited size. So when it fill . . . it fills.
Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go.
There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.
We will divide by interest for different hikes.
The "Easy" route:
- Yosemite Falls (the easy walk)
- Tunnel View
- Glacier Point
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Mirror Lake
- The Meadows
- The River
- Ahwahnee Hotel
Planned Medium Hike:
- Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail
Planned Difficult Hikes
- Yosemite Falls
- 4 Mile Trail
- Pohono Trail
To attend this event:
- RSVP on this event
- CLICK HERE for the payment link.
- Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form (this is also what the carpool info gets built from)
Notes:
- You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.
- After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal
- You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card.
- If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time.
- You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment.
- Event is limited in size. When filled the payment link will be disabled.
- If you not ready to commit yet . . .
- Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop")
Includes:
- Site (on private land) for a three day weekend
- All Firewood & propane heaters provided.
- Flush restrooms (that are clean)
- (free)(hot) Showers available
- Restaurants and Grocery adjacent
- Pool and Jacuzzi available.
- Super Civilized Camping.
- Perfect for the beginner and first timers.
- Many come solo.
- Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends.
Tell me about food and everything else . . .
The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe.
AND
Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it.
What gear do I need?
The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have.
Special note: this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans.
Can I park my car next to my tent?
Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area.
Carpools?
- Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. (it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)
- Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM (this way it is reliable info)
- Carpool info goes out all at once (not as you sign on)
- Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.
- Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability.
Refunds?
If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund.
If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run.
Questions? CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message
OTHER INFO:
- Carpool info
- Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR
- Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD
- General Policies
This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. ONLY Paid attendees are actually going to be attending.
CLICK HERE to join in on the other fun events planned.
Notice: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint.
We welcome all, and that includes you!
2 attendees
Costa Rica Eco Adventure: Waterfalls, Snorkeling, Zip lines, Rafting, Volcanoes!
San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, CA, US¡¡¡ Pura Vida !!!
Come alone, leave with friends!
This is what Meetup is all about. Being able to join and do what you wanted to do . . just not alone.We are going to Costa Rica for 9 nights/10 days of exploration and tropical adventures. . . . Best Meetup ever!!
To see how fun it is . . . Here are photos from when we did go before https://photos.app.goo.gl/cswRyeNZp1r6WW9t9
Costa Rica is a playground for the adventurous and an eco-tourist's dream! It is an unspoiled tropical paradise.
- Beautiful beaches
- Rainforest biodiversity
- Misty volcanoes
- Roaring rivers
- Lush jungles
- Exotic flora and fauna
- And more!!
And we are going there to enjoy it, learn about it and make memories of a lifetime!
This event is a true Meetup. We are creating it from scratch, and bringing like-minded people together on this adventure. Along the way making lifelong memories and friendships.
Together . . . let’s make a Meetup to remember!
- Hike around the base of the Arenal Volcano
- Selvatura Zip Line Canopy Tour
- Guided visit to Finca Luna Nueva Farm
- Caño Negro Refuge Tour/Visit
- Rio Frio Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour
- Hanging Bridges Walking Tour
- Ecotermales Hot Springs
- Monteverde Night Walk Tour
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour (daytime)
- River Floating Tour
- Tamarindo Beach
- Sunset Sailing
- Snorkeling Tour
- And more!
For a detailed Day By Day itinerary Click Here to fill out our info request form
Land Tour cost $3350 per person, double occupancy (we match roommates for those traveling solo, and most of us are doing just that).
If you want your own room: Solo occupancy additional $950
The only way to secure your spot for this meetup is a $300 deposit that is refundable up to 90 days before departure.
Click here for secure deposit linkWhen you make a deposit be sure to fill out this ATTENDEES FORM.
As we mentioned, . . . the cost is $3350. This is for the "Land" portion only. Airfare is not included. This gives you the flexibility to have a flight with timing that works best for you. Or to use points/miles.
I can also help arranging your airfare. To receive an offer, CLICK HERE and send me a message.What is Included in this trip:
- 9 Nights hotel accommodation
- 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners.
- Meet & Greet at the airport.
- Pick-up from airport to our hotel, and hotel to airport at the end of the trip
- Transportation throughout the trip
- Private naturalist English speaking tour guide
- All entrance fees and tours mentioned in the itinerary day-by-day description
- Daily water bottles for the group
- Hotel and Added Value Tax
Does not include:
x International Airfare
x Meals other than specified
x Optional Tours
x All items of personal nature (telephone calls, Laundry, room service, etc.)
x Tipping for tour guides and driversWant more info?
Click Here to fill out our info request formOR
RSVP to the event with your email to receive additional info.
OR
CLICK HERE to send me a message
Whatever is easiest for you!
Still have questions?
We do a Q & A Zoom once a month.
CLICK HERE for our Q & A Zoom. RSVP on that event to get a reminder for the zoom.Click here for the MAIN location of this event on Meetup RSVP there to post any discussion and to get notice of any comments and discussions. As well as any updates and reminders
We believe in good decent social.
SOT 2000318-10
3 attendees
Past events
380
