Bay Area Older Adults 50+ spring time hikes 2024

Are you an adult 50+ years old living in the Bay Area? Join us and explore Santa Clara County's open spaces and enjoy lakes, mineral springs, migrating birds, wildflowers and more while learning about Silicon Valley's rich culture, history and wildlife.

Registration required at https://www.bayareaolderadults.org/bao-hikes.

Birding along Uvas Creek

Wednesday February 28, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Uvas Creek Preserve in Gilroy is a 125-acre city park that has Uvas Creek running its center. Mining operations filled in the creek back in the 1970s and restoration of the creek was completed in 1995. Our expert birder and naturalist will lead us on a leisurely walk along the creek that is home to metallic blue tree swallows, white-tailed kites, California thrashers, pineapple weed and turkey tangle frogfruit. We end the afternoon with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is San Jose CA 95120 for van carpoolers or Gilroy 95020 for hike start location.
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included. You can borrow binoculars.

Christmas Trees and Chestnuts Trek

Wednesday March 13, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

This hike takes us on shady and sunny trails of Skyline Ridge Preserve in La Honda with scenic views of the Santa Cruz mountains, the Pacific Ocean and Butano Ridge. Along the way, we will learn about the Christmas tree farm restoration project, the chestnut farm, and the wildlife that flourishes around and in Horseshoe Lake. We stop for a social picnic lunch before heading back. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 4.5
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.

Rancho San Vicente Wildflower Walk

Wednesday March 27, 2024 from 09:30 AM to 03:00 PM

Enjoy a Spring hike at an open space that is famous for its spectacular wildflower display. Our expert guide will teach us about the plants and other wildlife we encounter. Halfway through our hike, we stop at a special spot for a picnic lunch and savor the scenery.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate-to-strenuous
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Rancho San Vicente Preserve, San Jose
Additional Benefits: Picnic lunch is included.

Inspirational Wildflowers of Pulgas Ridge

Wednesday April 10, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Pulgas Ridge Preserve is known for its showy spring wildflowers such as warrior plume, hounds tongue, milkmaids, fetid adders tongue, giant trillium, checker lily and more. On this wildflower journey led by a California naturalist who specializes in wildflowers, we will view a spectacular display of flowers and learn about their intriguing characteristics. We stop for a social picnic lunch before heading home. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 3.0
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.

Santa Teresas Serpentine Wildlife

Wednesday April 17, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM

Join us for a Spring wildflower hike in Santa Teresa County Park. Along the way, we will learn about the wildlife supported by this park's serpentine soils by a California naturalist. We will stop for a social picnic lunch at a reserved picnic area halfway through the hike.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Santa Teresa County Park
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the trailhead and picnic lunch are included.

Vistas and Wildflowers of Rancho San Antonio

Wednesday April 24, 2024 from 09:30 AM to 03:00 PM

This hike takes us along shady trails of a rancho from the early 1800’s. Along the way, we learn about the park’s natural and cultural history, wildflowers and the Permanente Creek flood protection plan. After a gradual climb uphill, we will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the bay, north to San Francisco and east to Mt. Hamilton. We head down to our picnic spot at 150-year old Deer Hollow Farm. After lunch, we spend a little time at the farm to see the newborn piglets, goats and sheep before our leisurely return through large grassy meadows and a 200 year old California Bay Laurel tree. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate-to-strenuous
Number of Miles: : 4.5
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.

California Agriculture Walk

Wednesday May 8, 2024 from 09:30 AM to 01:00 PM

Canoas Creek runs through Martial Cottle Park and supplies water for agriculture and is the southern most American river that has a salmon run (Chinook) as well as other game fish that make it popular with anglers. We will take a leisurely walk around this agriculture park and learn about its place in history. We pass by and visit the UCCE composting education and UC Master Gardener sites as well as the community garden. We end the afternoon with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Valley Water.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is San Jose, CA 95118
Additional Benefits: Transportation and a large hearty sandwich included.

Natural and Cultural History of Mt Umunhum

Wednesday May 22, 2024 from 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM

We start the day at one of the highest peaks in the Santa Cruz mountain range with panoramic views from nearly 3,500 feet, where we will learn about the significance of Mt. Umunhum to the Ohlone community and visit their Ceremonial Circle, and the historic importance of the Radar Tower that was once part of our missile defense system. Next, we journey down the four mile, mostly shady and cool Mt. Umunhum trail through varied habitats. Of course, along the way there are striking views of the valley, ridgelines and neighboring peaks. We end the afternoon with a social picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy-to-moderate
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation to and from the preserve and picnic lunch are included.

Bay Area Older Adults would like to thanks its partners with Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Save the Redwoods League.