CLOSED: Hike 5 Windy Hill Wildflower Walk

Wednesday April 9, 2025 from 08:00 AM to 02:30 PM

Windy Hill Preserve is named for its breezy grass-covered hilltop and protects more than 1400 acres of grassland ridges and forests of redwood, fir and oak. In the Spring months, this preserve has a variety of wildflowers. We will begin our hike at the top of Skyline Ridge and descend into shady woodlands where we will see views of the bay as we descend. Everyone will receive their own wildflower guide and learn helpful flower identification tips. As we travel, we will search for and identify Spring serpentine wildflowers and add them to our checklist. After the walk, we stop for a picnic lunch. This special program is hosted in partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Images by Stan Shebs and Calibas, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 4.0
Location: Meeting location is Cupertino CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included


Waitlist only: Hike 6 Threatened Species of Coyote Ridge

Wednesday April 16, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Today, we are fortunate to have an expert-led tour of Coyote Ridge Preserve’s Habitat Protection Area that features serpentine grasslands vital for the growth of rare plants and other wildlife. Along our walk, we will look for and learn about the threatened Bay checkerspot butterfly, the Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, California red-legged frogs, tiger salamanders, tule elk, Western burrowing owls and more. This special walk is made possible by Open Space Authority. Bay checkerspot and wildflower images by Cait Hutnik and Tule Elk image by David Mauk.

Level of Difficulty: : Moderate
Number of Miles: : 3.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included


Day Trip 4 Animal Farm and Jail House Rock Day Trip

Tuesday April 22, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

On this all day adventure, we start with a specially guided tour of the Coastside History Museum and Jail to learn about Half Moon Bay's farming, surfing, railroad history and listen to jailhouse crime stories! After tasty comfort food for lunch, we visit an animal farm whose mission is to provide emotional support for those struggling with grief, illnesses and other challenges. Here we can touch and cuddle with the animals. For more details and to register, please use this link www.bayareaolderadults.org/BAO-April2025-day-trip

Location: Meeting location is Cupertino, CA 95014
Additional Benefits: Fee includes transportation, lunch, activities, gratuities and two tour leaders.


CLOSED: Hike 7 Exclusive Private Preserve Wildflower Extravaganza

Wednesday April 23, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Join us for an exclusive tour of a private preserve that is home to protected and endangered wildlife. On our journey, we pass through serpentine grassland dancing with wildflower colors and the threatened dudleya. We explore three spring-fed ponds that provide water for wildlife such as birds, damselflies, dragonflies and the threatened western pond turtle. Our expert guide will teach us about the variety of wildflowers, birds, the threatened species and more! This special walk is made possible by Open Space Authority. Dudleya image by Cait Hutnik and damselfly image by Gregor Ritter from Pixabay.

Level of Difficulty: : Easy-to-moderate
Number of Miles: : 2.0
Location: Meeting location is Saratoga CA 95070
Additional Benefits: Transportation and picnic lunch are included