About us
CLICK HERE to see our main meetup events calendar http://www.socialfundation.com
NorCal World School offers to anyone and everyone who wants to learn, have fun and meet new people.
The world is our classroom. Let's go on a field trip!!
Past Events been in music and dance, martial arts and yoga, meditation and philosophy, dating and relationships, acting and improvisation, networking and social media, foreign languages, computer use, job hunting, startups - and many other topics as well.
The World School is focused on sharing activities and teaching skills which are fun, healthy and useful.
Currently in person events are located in the Bay Area. Our events are often styled as potlucks, classes, workshops and public talks. We go on field trips, so we can explore new areas and discover new things, and we like to gather in parks and public areas. Indoors we gather in community centers and community meeting rooms, or we might be found in cafes, private homes and in public classrooms.
All classes and events at our locations are open to all. Everyone is always welcome to attend.
We only have one rule at the: Be Excellent to Each Other
So come and enjoy yourself, start training your body and your mind, meet new people - or teach and share what you know.
You are always welcome.
Featured event
Meetup on the Orient Express. Paris Venice Prague Vienna Budapest Istanbul..
The Orient Express. . . you heard about it many times. The romance, the mystery, the adventure! Of course - the opulence too!
While the original Orient Express train is now part of history, our journey revives its spirit—crossing Europe from Paris to Istanbul, echoing the legendary route that once defined luxury rail travel.
This experience brings back the magic of the rails—without the inflated cost of old-world extravagance. Instead, we focus on service, comfort, and contemporary refinement, blending iconic train travel with thoughtfully curated experiences.
We retrace the route of the original Orient Express using a mix of modern night trains, high-speed day trains, and select short flights, creating a seamless and unforgettable journey.
Our route takes us to:
Paris → Venice → Vienna → Prague → Budapest → Istanbul
Included:
- Train transportation between 4 cities.
- 2 nights on an actual night train with sleeping compartment
- Air transportation Paris / Venice and Budapest / Istanbul
- 11 nights in First Class hotels with best central locations
- Daily breakfast + select lunches and dinners
- All transfers (hotels, train stations, airports)
- Guided tours in every city
- Entrances to many museums.
- And more thoughtful touches throughout the journey
We travel as a group, and also have the flexibility of hop-on, hop-off tours and museum passes with "skip the line" so you can enjoy complete independence. The trip is designed for curious, like-minded travelers who value both freedom and shared experiences.
It is all included in the price!
You are free to do your own thing, cater to your special interests, visit other sights and locations in the cities, while still being guided and helped with all the arrangements. A balance of independence when you want it and being included in all group activities when you prefer it.
The idea is: come alone, meet new like-minded people and make lifelong memories . . . without being stuck with the "one size fits all" tour formula.
Here is a basic thumbnail:
· Paris – 3 nights
Evening flight to Venice
· Venice – 1 night
Night train to Vienna
· Vienna – 1 night
Evening train to Prague
· Prague – 2 nights
Night train to Budapest
· Budapest – 1 night
Evening flight to Istanbul
· Istanbul – 3 nights.
Sleeper Cabins on the trains and First Class centrally located hotels in each city.
What was The Orient Express?
It was long-distance passenger train service that began in 1883 with the original endpoints being Paris to Istanbul. The original name became synonymous with intrigue and was a showcase of luxury with comfort at a time when traveling was still rough and dangerous.
In Istanbul the Pera Palace Hotel, built in 1892, was the accommodation at the terminus. And we are staying in it!
The original Orient Express ceased operation in 1977 and we are not using the original old train. It no longer exists.
EVERY aspect of this trip is epic.
- Visit picturesque and storied cities.
- Enjoy trains and experience the enchantment of the rails.
- In the end you will have visited 6 countries: France, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey!
The tour starts in Paris on Sep 20 and ends in Istanbul on Oct 03.
$5490 total cost per person, double occupancy.
$7090 total cost for solo occupancy.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE. This allows for your flexibility and convenience. We are happy to give you an airfare quote.
To attend: $500 deposit. CLICK HERE for a Secure Deposit Link
Your Deposit is Fully refundable to 90 days before the event (less any PayPal fees).
Final payment due 60 days before departure.
CLICK HERE To receive detailed itinerary and inclusions.
CLICK HERE for the main link for this event
RSVP there to get notice on any conversations or discussions.
AND/OR if you have questions?
CLICK HERE to Direct Message to Anna
CLICK HERE to Direct Message to Marc
AND/OR
We do a Zoom Q & A ( CLICK HERE to RSVP on the Q& A zoom).
Come to the zoom, ask any questions and meet other attendees.
Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff.
We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister groups we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
CLICK HERE to see all our other fun and social meetup events.
SOT 200318-10
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
Upcoming events
27
Sound Bath with Erica Nguyen
San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA, USExperience a restorative sound bath using instruments like gongs, singing bowls, and chimes to calm the nervous system, release stress, and promote deep relaxation.
Erica Nguyen is a certified sound practitioner and yoga teacher who shares transformative sound medicine with diverse communities. She is the founder of Sound Healing Project and is passionate about creating inclusive, grounding spaces for rest and reconnection.Registration is required. Sign-ups will begin a month before the program. Please call the Business Science Technology Desk at 415-557-4488 if you need any help with registration.
This event takes place in the Steve Silver Music Center on the fourth floor of the Main Library (100 Larkin Street).
Note: Please arrive at least ten minutes before the start of the program. If you have registered and have not arrived by 12:00 noon, your seat may be given to individuals who were unable to register and are waiting in line. Late entry or reentry may not be permitted once the program has begun in order to maintain a calm and uninterrupted environment.
Yoga mats, blankets, pillows and eye masks are highly recommended. The library can provide a yoga mat in case you need one.Registration is required. Sign-ups will begin a month before the program: https://outlook.office365.com/book/JuneSoundBathwithEricaNguyen@SFGOV1.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled=
MeetUp RSVP does not guarantee registration for SFPL in person programs.
4 attendees
Mt Kilimanjaro Trek ~ One of the 7 Summits. This is bucket list adventure.
SFO AIRPORT, San Francisco International Airport 94128, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USOur Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.
It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.
We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below)Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft
BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft
As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft
To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change.
The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system.
We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes.
As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear.
We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe.
More about our trek/trip.
As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season.Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.
But I don't have the needed gear?!
You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there.Does this include food?
All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us!What is lodging like?
We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters)I am new at this.
That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us.How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?
We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance. We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor.
Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.How much does this cost?
Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600Trip Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals everyday on the trek
- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs.
- Lead Guide, Assistant Guides, Porters and CookRSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUESTTo see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE
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 ZoomThe MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/
(RSVP there for any conversation and comments)This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.
Click Here for our other events:
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
SOT 200318-10
3 attendees
Professional Headshot: Boost Your Online Presence
San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA, USEnhance your online presence with a high-quality headshot taken by a professional photographer at the library. Perfect for LinkedIn, portfolios and other professional profiles, this free program is designed to help community members make a confident impression in today’s digital job market.
***Space limited. Reservations required: sign-up on the registration page (starting June 7)***
MeetUp RSVP does not guarantee registration for SFPL in person programs.
Please arrive a few minutes early for your selected time slot to allow time for check in. Participants are encouraged to dress professionally and come ready to showcase their best selves.
This program takes place in the Steve Silver Music Center - 4th Floor of Main Library (100 Larkin Street)
About the Photographer:
Sarah Deragon is a Bay Area portrait photographer with 14 years of experience specializing in natural, authentic “not-so-corporate” headshots. She has worked with clients including Google and Adobe and focuses on helping individuals and professionals strengthen their online presence. She is also the creator of the “Not So Corporate Headshot” and leads photo walks and photography classes designed to help people feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera.4 attendees
Past events
3831
Group links
Members
20,264
