Villages Hiking Club, San Jose, CA

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General Membership Meeting

Whales of Alaska

Jerry Gililland will take us on a Whales of Alaska visual tour derived from a PRINCESS CRUISE ship sailing from SF to Glacier Bay Alaska. Included are sea diver captured photos of the many sizes and species of whales.

Female whales giving birth and protecting their offspring from predators such as Orca whales.
Female whales displaying affection to their calf as they follow their mothers for years.
Groups of Humpbacks feeding, and being led by the females to protect the pod.
Humpbacks gathering in a circle to fend off Orcas attacks and rituals acknowledging the loss of a family member.
Sperm whales attacking sharks.
Killer whales and dolphins in pod groups training their young to hunt.
Whale encounters with boaters.

Jerry is familiar to many Villagers as he has exhibited his photographs at the Villages Camera Club and multiple Villages art shows.

The Hiking Club meeting will be held on Monday, September 28th at 7:00 PM at the Foothill Center. The program will follow a short business meeting and a break for socializing with snacks and beverages. The meeting is free and all Villagers are welcome to attend.

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Hiking Schedule

Click on the link to get the updated hiking schedule for the next month.

Alamitos Creek August 19, 2026

Eight Villages hikers set out today on a 4+ mile hike along Alamitos Creek and to Lake Almaden and back to the Camden Ave. parking lot. The weather started out comfortable but it warmed up considerably as we got closer to noon. We all had lunch at the Country Inn on Camden. It was delicious.

Golf Course Walk August 24, 2026

Bodega Bay July 31, 2026

Five of us, Ali, Bob, Jucy John P. and John Z., headed to Bodega Bay for a 4-mile pre-hike, exploring the peninsula, Campbell Cove, along rugged cliffs. the coastal scenery was spectacular, with stunning views of the North Pacific Ocean stretching beneath and endless blue sky. The water was an amazing azure blue with big waves smashing the dark rocks. Although it was a sunny summer day, the strong coastal wind made it surprisingly chilly. We even joked that we might get frostbite on the rims of our ears!

The crips ocean air, dramatic cliffs, and brilliant blue water made this a beautiful and memorable pre-hike along the Bodega Bay cost.

Grant Ranch County Park Hike – July 16, 2026

Fifteen intrepid hikers headed for the backcountry of Grant Ranch County Park on July 16th. We all met at the Smith Creek CDF Fire Station at the base of Mt. Hamilton, then proceeded up the Foothill Trail and south on the Manzanita Trail for a 3-mile round trip. The weather cooperated, and we had a comfortable stroll through oak woodlands and grass meadows. From our halfway point, we could see the backside ridge top of the various Villages Hillside trails and Transmission towers.

The second part of the hike was along Smith Creek, a bucolic shaded trail of 1.5 miles round trip. We all returned to The Villages safe and sound before 2 pm.

Golf Course Walk – July 13, 2026

Hill Hike – July 11, 2026

Half Moon Bay July 10, 2026

Thirteen Ramblers enjoyed a beautiful 6-mile coastal hike at Half Moon Bay on July 10th. Although much of California was experiencing summer heat, we were treated to a pleasantly cool day along the coast.

The trail was especially scenic, with large areas covered in blooming evening primroses and scattered California poppies adding splashes of color to the landscape.

Along the way, we met Hanne, a former club member, who shared a couple of local sayings about Half Moon Bay weather: “no-Sky July” and “Foggiest August”–reminders of the unique coastal climate that keeps the area cool during the summer months.

About halfway through our hike, we stopped for a simple and tasty lunch at The Barn, enjoyed a short rest, and then completed the second half of our journey refreshed and energized.

Thank you to everyone who joined for another enjoyable Rambler adventure along the beautiful Half Moon Bay coast! Weny, Michele, John, Theresa, Phil, Mary, Ali, Matt, Joan, Wendy, Hanne, Pam, Mimi, John Zhang.

Golf Course Walk July 6, 2026

First Villages golf course walk after the 250th USA Celebration, July 6, 2026…15 Villagers enjoyed the walk and awesome weather!!!

Leader: Guy Hoover, Sweep: Chery Allmen, Photographer: Helen Ware.

Happy Hollow Zoo – June 25, 2026

On June 25, Kathy Tanaka led a group of Villages through Happy Hollow Zoo for Senior Safari where they saw an anteater and other animals and rode the carousel. They also toured the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden and learned some history of the gardens.

Hill Hike – June 20, 2026

Eighteen hikers started the Hill Hike on a beautiful cool morning. Four decided to go to the top. Starting down on the switchbacks, those four were (L-R) Joan, Julian, Marisue and Gordon, with San Jose in the background.