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South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group

4.9•3045 ratings

Los Gatos, CA, US

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About us

THIS GROUP IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS. Our hikes are for adults only and no dogs please (thank you for your understanding). The South Bay Ramblers is a Bay Area hiking group that was formed in the South Bay with the goal of gathering people together to have fun, while getting plenty of exercise and making new friends. The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group has been in existence since 2005 and we have been offering community hikes at least twice monthly since that time.
Our hikes generally cover six to ten miles and can be fairly strenuous. Our group has many wonderful organizers who are avid hikers who post regular hikes on our schedule. RSVPs open 15 days prior to the scheduled hike. We welcome and encourage all our members to help us lead hikes for the group.
Our hikes frequent the local Santa Clara County Parks, Open Space Preserves and Santa Cruz Mountains. Occasionally, we venture to Marin or the East Bay and sometimes organize other fun outings such as kayaking, day trips to places like Pinnacles, Ano Nuevo State Park, Redwood Zip Lines and other local attractions.

Please read our Hiking Disclaimer before joining the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group. By joining this group, you agree to all the terms and conditions of this waiver. We also recommend you explore our About page to discover a little more about how we run our group.

Upcoming events

6

CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK
Sat, Oct 3 · 8:30 AM PDT
15451 Skyline Blvd, Saratoga, CA, US
Distance: Approx. 8 miles
Elevation Gain: Approx. 1,000 feet

Park at the Robert C. Kirkwood entrance, restrooms available. The address is 15451 Skyline Blvd. The entrance fee is $10, payable at auto pay stations which accept cash (no change) or credit cards.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: On this hike we'll make an approximately 8 mile loop stating at the Saratoga Gap Trail from the main park headquarters. From there we'll continue on another 0.8 miles to Castle Rock Falls which is approximately 80 feet high and fed by the headwaters of Kings Creek. We'll then continue on the Saratoga Gap Trail passing through beautiful chaparral and superb views along the way. This hike INCLUDES the short rock scrambling section (not that hard). After the campsite snack stop, we'll connect to the Loghry Woods Trail which will connect us to Highway 35 where we'll cross over into Sanborn Park. We'll end the hike with a walk along the Skyline Trail in Sanborn Park which will take us back to the Castle Rock Parking lot.

DIRECTIONS: from downtown Saratoga, take highway 9 up to the intersection/stop sign with highway 35 (Skyline). Turn left, and the new parking lot is approximately 2 miles on the right

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers 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 Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.
20 attendees
Presidio San Francisco
Sat, Oct 10 · 9:00 AM PDT
Crissy Field, 1199 East Beach, San Francisco, CA, US
Distance: 8-9 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 800 feet

Meet: Crissy Beach parking lot bathrooms with the outdoor showers near the west end of the parking lot. Free Parking at Crissy Beach (also maps as East Beach)

Description: From Crissy Field we’ll walk over to the Presidio and take a circuitous route of dirt trails, paved paths and sidewalks through the Presidio. The Presidio is part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. We'll see the Palace of Fine Arts, Yoda, the Woodline, the Spire and some great views if it's a clear day.

Carpool: You can arrange carpooling in the comments

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers 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 Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.
1 attendee
Alum Rock to Boccardo Trail Open Space
Sat, Oct 17 · 8:30 AM PDT
Alum Rock Park, 15350 Penitencia Creek Road, San Jose, CA, US
Hike Description:

We will start the hike by accessing the North Rim Trail from the mineral Springs Parking lot in the park which is at the far west boundary of the park, all the way at the end of the road. We will proceed along the north side of the canyon where we will get a panorama view of the Santa Clara Valley and San Francisco Bay from the Eagle Rock Overlook. We will then connect to the Boccardo Trail from the Todd Quick Trail. At the top of the Todd Quick Trail (1- to 1.5-miles) there will be a gate that will lead to the Boccardo Trail. We will hike for one and half miles to the prominent knoll which is 1896 feet in elevation and offers a spectacular view of the valley. The descent back down will be via the Boccardo Trail where we will connect back to the Todd Quick Trail and then to the North Rim Trail which will lead us back to the parking lot.

Length and Elevation: This hike is approximately 3 hours long and 7 miles in length. Elevation 1896 feet to to the prominent knoll.

Driving Directions to the Trailhead: Meet at 8:30 a.m. From Highway 680 exit on Berryessa Road. Go east 1.2 miles. Turn right on Piedmont Road. Go 0.45 miles to Penitencia Creek Road. Turn left on Penitencia Creek Road. Continue 1.0 miles on Penitencia Creek Road to the entrance of Alum Rock Park.. PARKING: $6.00.

Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers 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 Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.
1 attendee
Land of Medicine Buddha
Sat, Oct 24 · 8:30 AM PDT
Land of Medicine Buddha, 5800 Prescott Rd, Soquel, CA, US
Difficulty: moderate
Parking: DO NOT drive to the map link location. We carpool from a church parking lot at https://goo.gl/maps/NGkFT2M9YGdfiX7p9. Instructions below.

Let's revisit Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, one of our favorite hikes. We'll cover the 6 mile loop (1000 feet climb) and also explore a spur into Nisene Marks (extra 0.5 mile). Be warned: there is a stretch of the trail where there may be a lot of poison oak.
Carpooling is recommended, at least try to meet in the church parking lot in Soquel (see Directions below). We will leave the church parking lot at 8:20, so leave home early!

Cost: Land of Medicine Buddha asks $20 per car - they deserve the money. Donation at the gift shop at the end.

Hike Description: We start at the bottom and go clockwise, ending at a meditation walk, a stupa and a temple.
Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Max Climb: 600 feet over 1.5 miles, total elevation gain close to 1000.

Driving Directions: should take less than 45 minutes from Los Gatos.

Due to restricted parking at LMB, we will meet at the church parking lot at Main St. and Parrish Lane in the village of Soquel and carpool from there: https://goo.gl/maps/NGkFT2M9YGdfiX7p9. If you arrive after 8:20, we have left, so please drive on to Land of Medicine Buddha - use map link from this Meetup event.

From the church: 0.7 mile north on Main St. right turn onto Glen Haven Rd. 0.4 mile then slight right onto Prescott Rd. Park at the bridge just before LMB entrance if you can, otherwise drive up hill to parking lot.

DISCLAIMER: South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group assumes ABSOLUTELY NO responsibility, including but not limited to injury or loss of any kind/form due to the use of information, or participating in activities found on this group/site. Please keep in mind that YOU ALWAYS HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK and that YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. If you are not sure about the nature of a specific hike, contact the hike leader via the private message feature on this website. By becoming a member of the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group and when you RSVP for this hike you are confirming your agreement to the rules and responsibilities of this group located here: https://www.meetup.com/SouthBayRamblersHikingGroup/
1 attendee

Past events

819

Organizers

Lori T and 8 others

Lori T. and 1 other are Super Organizers

Members

870

Related topics

Social and Cultural Outings