On October 10, 2026, fourteen members of our Villages Hiking Club – Jane, Marge, Amy, Duc, Wendy, Rich, Carol, Hansel, Teresa, Tom, Grace, Ali, Mimi and John – gathered along San Francisco’s waterfront for an unforgettable day of aviation excitement at the Fleet Week Air Show.
The skies over San Francisco Bay became a spectacular stage for some remarkable aircraft. We marveled at the incredible speed and power of the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, admired the timeless beauty of the legendary P-51 Mustang, and watched the impressive Boeing 777 demonstration.
The Blue Angels thrilled the crowds with their breathtaking aerobatics, high-speed passes, and astonishingly precise formations. Their aircraft swept across the sky, climbing, diving, rolling, and flying wingtip-to-wingtip with incredible precision. The daring maneuvers and seamless teamwork demonstrated the extraordinary skill, discipline, and coordination of these elite Navy pilots.
Against the stunning backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the city skyline, the roaring engines and spectacular aerial displays created an experience that was both thrilling and unforgettable.
We enjoyed a wonderful waterfront walk from Pier 1 to Pier 39, combining outdoor activity, aviation excitement, and great companionship.
What a fantastic day! From historic warbirds to cutting-edge fighter jets, and especially the breathtaking Blue Angels, Fleet Week gave us a spectacular showcase of aviation excellence. Mimi and John led the hike.
Monday’s last summer 2026 Golf Course Walk…Guy-leader, Pam-photographer & Cheryl-sweep part of the way…and a few 1st timers (who had to leave sooner for appointments) with us hikers!!
Nine Villagers headed out this morning to climb Larkspur Drive, then headed north on Bentley Ridge toward Yerba Buena and, ultimately, arrived at Le Boulanger for coffee and a snack. From there we headed home to complete about a 4-mile hike. (Photo by J. Petrin).
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. Â
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.
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.