
What we’re about
Unplug. Unwind. Connect.
Rediscover the joy of real connection through shared experiences and authentic friendships.
So Cal Explorers Meetup is the antidote to a hyper-digital, disconnected world. We gather for fun, relaxed outings to explore the most iconic, historic, quirky, and lesser-known corners of Southern California—together. Whether it's a walking tour, hike, museum visit, or movie night, our adventures are all about learning, exploring, and enjoying each other's company.
We're not a dating group. We're not a networking group. We're simply a welcoming space for adults to connect, laugh, and build friendships—without pressure, expectations, or hidden agendas.
Our crew is mostly progressive, slightly irreverent 40- to 60-somethings with a love for counter-culture and curiosity. But all open-minded adults (18+) are welcome!
Join us for hiking, historic tours, movies, museum visits, kayaking, presentations, live music, good food, great conversation, and spontaneous fun.
So Cal Explorers is where awkward small talk turns into epic friendships. Come along—we’re saving you a seat.
Upcoming events
9

KUROSAWA'S "IKIRU" (1952)
The Frida Cinema, 305 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA, USCross-posted with LA & OC Weirdo Music & Art Forum
haven't seen it but it is a highly rated film from one of my favorite directors. We have seen several of his films. Frida is doing a series of his films over the coming months.
Date: Monday, December 22, 7:30
Venue: Frida Cinema
305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 285-9422
Dinner 6:00 Taqueria Guadalajara next door
305 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tickets: $13.00 https://thefridacinema.org/movies/ikiru/
Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 98% positive rating
Trailer: https://youtu.be/geKhyNerWM8?si=6h73K8j_W-OLZIMv
Director: Akira Kurosawa Run Time: 143 min. Release Year: 1952 Language: Japanese
Starring: Bokuzen Hidari, Haruo Tanaka, Miki Odagiri, Nobuo Kaneko, Takashi Shimura
One of the greatest achievements by Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru shows the director at his most compassionate—affirming life through an exploration of death. We are are closing out the December portion of our retrospective on the legendary director’sw work with a brand 4K restoration of it thanks to our friends at Janus Films!
Takashi Shimura beautifully portrays Kanji Watanabe, an aging bureaucrat with stomach cancer who is impelled to find meaning in his final days. Presented in a radically conceived twopart structure and shot with a perceptive, humanistic clarity of vision, Ikiru is a multifaceted look at what it means to be alive3 attendees
FARM SANCTUARY TOUR
Farm Sanctuary, 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, Acton, CA, USJoin us for a farm visit to FARM SANCTUARY for a one hour guided tour and interaction with the animals.
WHEN: Saturday, December 27 at 11:00 AM. Meet at the farm at 10:45 AM
WHERE: 5200 Escondido Canyon Road, Acton, CA 93510
HOW: Buy Tickets Here for December 27 @ 11 AM $25 + fees per person
OPTIONAL: 12:45ish Post-tour lunch in Acton or nearby TBD
When you visit Farm Sanctuary’s Southern California Sanctuary, you’ll know right away that it is a special place. Our Sanctuaries are home to rescued cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and other farm animals — and each has a special story. Their stories of struggle and survival, against all odds, give us insight into the realities farm animals face in the modern food system and also introduce us to inspiring individuals through their heartwarming tales. Animals who began their lives abused and neglected now spend their days digging in the dirt, basking in the sun, and napping in the straw. Each animal is given the freedom and attention needed not only to recover but to thrive.17 attendees
HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM
The Hollywood Museum, 1660 N. Highland Ave (at Hollywood Blvd), Hollywood, CA, USPLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS
Join us for a fun day being tourists in our own backyard visiting the Hollywood Museum on Saturday, January 3.
Hollywood Museum (In the legendary Max Factor building)
1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.)
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Purchase your tickets here
$15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65+
They are good for any time to be used within 30 days. Because of this, we could possibly wait in line to enter.
Optional dinner afterwards
From the Museum's website:
PLEASE BRING A COPY OF THE TRANSACTION RECEIPT AND PRESENT IT AT THE FRONT DESK FOR ADMISSION.
NO ADDITIONAL TICKET OR RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED.
- Tickets sold online will be honored at Museum upon presentation during the museum’s hours of operation.
- Tickets may also be purchased directly at the museum’s box office. Ticketholder may visit museum, as space allows (possible wait), during the museum’s hours of operation.
- Please bring a copy of the transaction receipt and present it at the front desk for admission.
- Your purchased tickets are good for 30 days from the date of purchase.
- All tickets sales are final. No Refunds.
- Exhibits subject to change
- All tickets sales are final. No Refunds.
- ALL EXHIBITS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM IS ADA ACCESSIBLE.
PARKING: Available parking is located adjacent to The Hollywood Museum. All museum visitors will receive a reduced parking rate validation while attending the museum.
Some of the exhibits on this day will be:
Hollywood Goes to War
Fran Drescher: From TV Nanny to Union Boss
Legends of Laughter: The Marx Brothers (this is what I especially want to see)
Iconic Rides: A Drive through Time
Happy Trails: Celebrating the Legacy of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Joseff of Hollywood
This Joint is Jumpin'
Halloween: Dungeon of Doom
80 Years of Batman, The Bionic Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, and Catwoman
Jean Harlow: Hollywood's First Blond Bombshell
Marilyn: Hollywood Icon
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
and more!16 attendees
KUROSAWA'S "SEVEN SAMURAI" (1954)
The Frida Cinema, 305 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA, USNOTE THE DATE CHANGE
Cross-posted with LA & OC Weirdo Music & Art Forum
Date: Monday, January 5, 7:30
Venue: Frida Cinema
305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 285-9422
Dinner 5:45 TBD
Tickets: $13.00 https://thefridacinema.org/movies/seven-samurai/
Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 100% positive rating
Trailer: https://youtu.be/fRUsjrkGs_A?si=CpDqNutYh3SAiv8u
Director: Akira Kurosawa Run Time: 143 min. Release Year: 1954 Language: Japanese
Starring: Minoru Chiaki, Seiji Miyaguchi, Takashi Shimura, Toshirō Mifune, Yoshio Inaba
See the new 4K restoration (thanks to our friends at Janus Films) of legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai on the big screen as we kick off the new year with the legendary Japanese director’s magnum opus!
Set in 16th-century Japan, the film stars Toshiro Mifune in his iconic role as the wild and charismatic Kikuchiyo, and Takashi Shimura as the wise and experienced leader Kambei. The samurai, each with their unique skills and backgrounds, band together to train the villagers in self-defense, forming new bonds as the impending danger draws nearer.
Nominated for two Academy Awards, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, and Best Costume Design, and winner of the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Seven Samurai remains a benchmark of world cinema, celebrated for its profound impact on the action genre, and its enduring narrative of courage and community.8 attendees
Past events
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