Japanese Tea Garden April 1, 2026

On April Fools day, 13 rambler hikers, Carol, Hansel, Joel, Kathy, Judy, John, Mimi, Maria, Manona, Michele, Steve, Tim and Wendy, went to the Japanese Tea Garden for a cherry blossoms hike. The Garden is not big, but compacted with delicate, manicured flowers, bushes, tiny trees, small hills, streams and bright red pavilions of Japan style. Joel, Michele, John and Mim even climbed a steep arch bridge meant for teenagers. The cherry flowers are so-so, not even as dramatic as that in our Villages. After garden visits, we climbed up hill to hike around Blue Heron like then climbed even higher to see a waterfall but we got a bone dry one. Oh yes, we got drenched by come-and-go SFO rain shower, but that did not kill our spirits, we all had a good time. We went to Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant near by for a warm lunch. Every loved the food there! The hike was led by Mimi and John.

Martial Cottle Park March 18, 2026

Eight Villagers set out this morning for a 3.5 mile (+/-) hike around a warm Martial Cottle Park. There was no cloud cover on such a warm mid-March day but we did it fairly early and all survived. Although the Visitor Center is normally closed on Wednesdays, a kind person who works there as a volunteer allowed all of us in to look around at the exhibits. This hike not recommended during the typical hot summer months!!! For more information on the park, click on the link below.
Posted on Categories 2026

Golf Course Walk March 16, 2026

19 Villagers walked the LAST 2026 Winter Season hike around the beautiful golf course. Saw several coyote animal statues warning us to be alert to those alive awaiting “harm’s way”! Cheryl Allen, photographer.

Posted on Categories 2026

Hill Hike March 14, 2026

On a cool clear morning, 27 people started out on the hill hike, and 11 made it to the top.

Posted on Categories 2026

Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, March 11, 2026

Hiking club members joined Jim Koski’s four mile March 11 hike at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos. We hiked on the Loma Prieta Grade Trail and the Aptos Creek fire road, a fairly level narrow-guage railroad grade used in the late 1800s to haul redwood logs and cut lumber 7 miles to the Southern Pacific track in Aptos. We saw some of the old railroad ties and obvious cuts through hillsides. Afterwards we enjoyed lunch at Carpo’s Restaurant in Soquel.

Posted on Categories 2026

Golf Course Walk March 9, 2026

2nd Monday, March 2026 Golf Walk…lovely leaders and awesome weather and views!! Cheryl Allmen, photographer.

Posted on Categories 2026

Hill Hike March 7, 2026

On a clear, crisp morning, 25 hikers showed up for the Saturday, March 7, 2026 Hill Hike, with 8 making it to the top. Those 8 perfectly posed hikers were (L to R) Mary, Steve, Joan, Jim, Mira, Gigi and Lisa, with Gordon behind the camera.

Posted on Categories 2026, News

Coyote Hills Regional Park Hike February 25, 2026

Nine Villages hikers headed to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont to get in a 3.5 mile hike today. The weather was overcast but mild with no rain so the views were quite good. As luck would have it, we encountered a Zeppelin aircraft cruising overhead as we reached the western side of the park. Many theories were exchanged about the clandestine mission but in the end it turned out it was just a test flight. (See note and pic below).  Following the hike, five of the nine headed to the nearby Fairwood Cafe for a delicious Chinese lunch followed by an ice cream treat next door.

Posted on Categories 2026