What we’re about
Enjoy dining out, cocktails, wine-tasting, yoga classes, hiking, trying out new restaurants, weekend travel, international travel, making new friends, technology, adventure and more? Join the Walnut Creek Cultural and Adventure Group, all are welcome regardless of background, age and status...many of the events are geared towards professional single and solo east bay residents who would like to get out and have fun, meeting new friends and connections in the area!
RSVP stuff you need to know:
• Please RSVP responsibly ...no-shows and late cancellations (less than 24-hrs or as indicated on event's page) to events, especially where reservations are involved, will most likely result in automatic removal from this meetup group. Your fellow meetup friends and venues are counting on full-party showing up (restaurants greatly frown on no-shows! ...so do those who were on the waitlist, wanting to attend) ...and, hey, as the awesome members agree, we want cool and responsible members in our group. 😎
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Wonders of Chile & PatagoniaHotel Almacruz, Santiago
April 18th - April 25th, 2025
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( http://www.photoflytravel.com/ ) have invited us to another amazing adventure in Chile & Patagonia! This will be the SIXTH time and considering the program and world-class accommodations, it is easy to understand why.
The sublime landscapes of Patagonia will leave you in awe, the majesty of nature here may inspire you in untold ways. Exploring these astonishing wilds will be enhanced further thanks to our award-winning luxury accommodations only a few minutes drive from Torres del Paine National Park. Known for towering mountains, vast forests, gigantic glacial lakes, and spectacular scenery in every direction, every trip is a remarkable experience full of discovery. Activities, hikes, and walks are available for every skill level, and nearly perfect photo opportunities around every corner. Before arriving here, we'll show you around the capitol city of Santiago to rest and relax before heading south - enjoy some of the finest Chilean wines in a colorful, energetic city.
Email joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Sign up at: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/chile-group-tour-santiago-patagonia/
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- 7 Night/8 Day (2 Nights Santiago, 5 Nights Patagonia)
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Santiago
- Centrally located and welcoming Santiago accommodations
- Breakfast included
- Privately guided city tour exploring the highlights, such as Cerro San Cristobal, Cerro Santa Lucia, Plaza de Armas, La Moneda (Presidential Offices), and more!
*Free time in Santiago to explore the city & photograph the sites
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Patagonia
- Patagonia Camp (https://patagoniacamp.com/en/) is one of the first luxury camps in South America. It is an original and distinctive glamping concept where every detail has been carefully thought of so that our guests may thoroughly enjoy the magnificent and wild nature of mythical Patagonia, combining comfort, convenience, and the warm hospitality that Chileans are known for.
- All-inclusive meals & adventures while at Patagonia Camp and open bar.
- One of a kind luxury yurt style accommodations. Patagonia Camp was recognized by Conde Nast in the Top 20 Reader's Choice Award for all of South America!
- Each day we will have the opportunity to embark on amazing walks and hikes around this wonderland landscape of sharp edged mountains and glacier lakes. See below for a few of the adventures that we’ll be able to choose from each day - all are optional, included, and cater to different fitness levels including beginners!. To see the full list of hikes, learn more about the Torres del Paine National Park we'll be exploring, and to see more pictures of the unbelievable luxury yurts, email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com to request an itinerary.
Base of the Towers Trek: A rewarding & deservedly famous trek to the base of the iconic mountain towers of Torres Del Paine. Panoramic views of lakes and valleys greet us along the way until we navigate the ancient lenga tree forest.
Los Cuernos Trek: This trek is perfect to experience the beauty of the park’s two iconic mountains: Las Torres and Los Cuernos del Paine. The hike starts alongside beautiful rivers and lakes with ever-present native flora and fauna.
Mirador Condor Hike: The hike to the Cóndor viewpoint is another privileged trek in terms of views. The trail begins at Lake Pehoé which will fascinate our eyes and cameras with its distinctive turquoise color. You will climb for about an hour through the Sierra del Toro; along the way you can appreciate some of the local vegetation such as nothofagus trees, the area’s micro-wildlife and the beautiful soaring condors.
Optional horseback riding & boat trips will be available at additional price (minimum # sign-ups needed)
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Included:
- Privately guided small group tour
- All taxes & entrance fees
- All transfers and ground transportation
- Roommate pairing to save money
- Domestic round-trip airfare from Santiago –> Punta Arenas
Not included:
- International airfare
Specific arrival/departure times will be sent to all guests and we’ll assist in booking the proper flights.
- Email us to see daily itinerary at joinus@photoflytravel.com
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Join Us!
*For our solo travelers, we will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $4,395
Single Supplement: $735Deposit: $600.00
For those looking to enhance their stay even further, there are yurts available with outdoor jacuzzi! Imagine - enjoying the warm soothing waters in the cool air while looking up into the endless night sky as the stars dazzle above. Please contact us for availability!
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/chile-group-tour-santiago-patagonia/
- BODEGA BAY COASTAL 2 PART : BEACHES, CAVES, CLIFF TRAILS, ARCHES, DUNES & MORE !Petaluma Regional Library, Petaluma, CA
## Details ****PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE EVENT POSTINGS GO OUT TO 22 DIFFERENT MEETUP GROUPS ! SO THE ROSTER WILL NOT SHOW ALL WHO ARE COMING !!!!
## Details
Aloha members ! *******Please read all of this info very carefully. The meetup APP sucks, so a lap top is preferred. **** Number # ONE Rule: No shows are strictly Forbidden. I put in almost full time work to create & conduct great events & adventures ; AND MEETUP HAS TRIPLED THE COSTS & FEES TO ALL THE ORGANIZERS ** YUK !!!
OK ! We will meet in Petaluma in the Fairgrounds lot, just in front of the Library.
We will carpool from there. Need to bring: good shoes, sandals optional. ***A jacket, a lunch: ***NOTE: We will stop after the 1st portion & have lunch at the 2nd location. Or you may wish to have a seafood lunch before the 2nd portion with some of us. ***** I will have my car loaded as usual with lot's of additional specialty drinks, snacks, & Vino.
***The 1st portion takes us down a 1.2 mile canyon trail to the South end of Doran beach. Here we can enjoy the beach & explore the several caves & walk thru caves to the other side. **You may get wet , so sandals or bare footsies are ok.
***The 2nd portion after our lunch will be a stop at the infamous :****** "Hole in the Head"***. Next is up top to walk the breathtaking cliff trails , & some climbing to see more CLIFF VIEWS , Caves, an Arch, SANDSTONE CLIFF SCULPTURES & locate (if they are home) a FACINATING colony of burrowing Bumble Bees. (No, they won't sting you) Another trail takes us thru an isolated grove of unique CYPRESS tree formations. Great for photos.
*** NOTE: This is an easy outing & all are very social. If you don't make some friends, my event is a failure ? If you rsvp & attend , this will be my 1559th event .** See how many you have missed.*** Where have you been ?
*** WE usually have an optional after outing dinner option. SEAFOOD ANYONE ? NOTE THAT THE ENDING TIME IS VARIABLE. A DINNER OPTION LENGTHENS THE EVENT.
MY # 925 787 3041 EM: boldbackroads@gmail.com *** Please do not send questions or info with the APP. The Chat Box sometimes works.
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Calling or Texting is best. Meetup donation : ONLY 25$. *** NOTE: DUE TO ALL THE FLAKY BAD NO SHOWS PRE PAY IS REQUIRED. USE VENMO OR ZELLE. OR COME WITH $$ OR AN ANCIENT PAPER CALLED A CHECK YOU CAN USE THIS IF YOU IF YOU JUST SHOW UP ALSO.
***** A CREDIT FOR ANOTHER GREAT EVENT WILL BE GIVEN IF YOU COULDNT MAKE IT !
*** COMING UP: MORE GREAT EVENTS & ADVENTURES !!!****
PS: THE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL SHOWING OF **A BOLD JOURNEY*** WAS ON JULY 21ST. IF YOU WISH TO SEE IT, JUST GO TO: wrpn.tv & scroll down to Documentaries & then to Free films (A BOLD JOURNEY) - Wonders of the Galapagos!Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Puerto Ayora
Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club ( https://www.photoflytravel.com/) an exotic adventure to one of the world's natural wonderlands!
May 22nd - May 28th, 2025
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/galapagos-small-group-tours/
Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
The Galapagos is an “up-market” destination but fortunately we’ve been able to create something special at an amazing value! Take a look at the details below and you will see that our small group trip is arguably the best deal out there!
- 7 days
- 3 nights/4 days on Santa Cruz
- 3 nights/4 days on private motor yacht
- 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
- Round-trip domestic flight to/from Galapagos
- All snorkel gear
Part 1: Santa Cruz Island & Nearby Gems
Santa Cruz is the most important island in the Galapagos archipelago with the only substantial port town of Puerto Ayora. From white sand beaches teeming with endemic marine iguana, lush highlands where the giant tortoises still roam, turtle coves, thriving reefs, ancient calderas, and sea birds
- Highlands & Tortoise Reserve: Walk into the forest overgrown with lichens, ferns, and tortoises; the pond at El Chato is surrounded by forest teeming with birdlife
- Charles Darwin Research Station: Founded in 1959, it has a Natural History Interpretation Centre and carries out educational projects in support of the Galapagos National Park Service.
Day Boat Excursions
For our two days staying on Santa Cruz, we’ll head off island on exciting day trips via boat and in search of biological wonders!
- Santa Fe Island - White Sands, Cacti, & Giant Iguanas: White sand beaches surrounded by sea lion colonies lined with endemic cactus forests is just one appeal to this natural wonderland.
- South Plaza Islet - Land of Red & Yellow: An impressive cactus forest where colorful yellow and red land iguanas live will be our introduction to this small landmass.
- North Seymour Island: Formed by a series of underwater volcanic eruptions, this island is the home to large nesting colonies of blue-footed boobies, great frigate birds, and swallow-tailed gulls.
Part II: Private Luxury Yacht Island Hopping
Our next experience is very special. We’ll board our very own private cruising yacht and embark on a journey throughout the eastern Galapagos Islands. Aboard the Coral I or Coral II, we’ll live in the perfect combination of classic beauty and exquisite style. Built in Holland, the ship surpasses all the standards you would expect from a high-class yacht, providing a slightly larger than average cruising vessel while maintaining the friendly atmosphere of a small expedition yacht.
Every cabin features handsome wood decoration, along with air-conditioning, a private bathroom, safe deposit box, telephone, and more. Additionally, the boat has plenty of room to relax with three sundecks (some shaded), a jacuzzi, comfortable dining room, and lounge.
- Dragon Hill: Bright, pink flamingos thrive as we walk by a brackish lagoon to the trail which leads across typical dry zone vegetation. Dragon Hill is an important nesting ground for endemic land iguanas, not to mention incredible views & photograph opportunities of the anchored boats and neighboring islands at the top.
- Bartolome Island: Enroute to the summit, impressive views of the surrounding islands, including the eroded tuff cone Pinnacle Rock make for incredible & iconic panoramic photographs. Next, we’ll make our way down to the beach for snorkeling and a chance to see the famous Galapagos penguins, sea turtles, and white-tipped reef sharks among a great variety of colorful fish.
- Rabida Island: Dark-red sand covers the unique beaches of Rabida, home to thriving sea lions colonies. This island is considered the epicenter of the Galapagos due to the diversity of its volcanic geology.
- Santiago Island & Espumilla Beach: This is an amazing location due to the remains of an eroded shoreline, home to seabirds, fur seals, and playful Galapagos sea lions. The white, sandy Espumilla Beach nearby is in James Bay where mangroves and a small palo santo forest lead to salty-water lagoons home to wading birds like pink flamingos.
- Black Turtle Cove: Back on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island and accessible only by sea, four species of mangrove crowd and form an internal lagoon and turtle sanctuary where sea turtles visit the calm waters.
Don’t forget to email us for the day by day itinerary of these Galapagos small group tour (joinus@photoflytravel.com)
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Join Us!
For our solo travelers, we pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $4,795
Single Supplement: $1,595Deposit: $600.00
Go here to sign up: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/galapagos-small-group-tours/
