What we’re about
We periodically welcome new members, when we begin to have no or small wait lists for scheduled hikes. Please send in a join request and you will likely become a member in 2-6 months. Our hikes are for adults only and no dogs please (thank you for your understanding). The South Bay Ramblers is a Bay Area hiking group that was formed in the South Bay with the goal of gathering people together to have fun, while getting plenty of exercise and making new friends. The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group has been in existence since 2005 and we have been offering community hikes at least twice monthly since that time.
Our hikes generally cover six to ten miles and can be fairly strenuous. Our group has many wonderful organizers who are avid hikers who post regular hikes on our schedule. RSVPs open 15 days prior to the scheduled hike. We welcome and encourage all our members to help us lead hikes for the group.
Our hikes frequent the local Santa Clara County Parks, Open Space Preserves and Santa Cruz Mountains. Occasionally, we venture to Marin or the East Bay and sometimes organize other fun outings such as kayaking, day trips to places like Pinnacles, Ano Nuevo State Park, Redwood Zip Lines and other local attractions.
Please read our Hiking Disclaimer before joining the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group. By joining this group, you agree to all the terms and conditions of this waiver. We also recommend you explore our About page to discover a little more about how we run our group.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Land of Medicine BuddhaLand of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, CA
Difficulty: moderate
Let's revisit Land of Medicine Buddha in Soquel, one of our favorite hikes. We'll cover the 6 mile loop (800 feet climb) and also explore a spur into Nisene Marks (extra 0.5 mile). Be warned: there is a stretch of the trail where there may be a lot of poison oak.
Carpooling is recommended, at least try to meet in the church parking lot in Soquel (see Directions below). We will leave the church parking lot at 8:20, so leave home early!Cost: Land of Medicine Buddha requests a donation, recommend $5 to $10. Donation at the gift shop at the end.
Hike Description: We start at the bottom and go clockwise, ending at a meditation walk, a stupa and a temple.
Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Max Climb: 600 feet over 1.5 milesDriving Directions: should take less than 45 minutes from Los Gatos.
Due to restricted parking at LMB, we will meet at the church parking lot at Main St. and Parrish Lane in the village of Soquel and carpool from there: https://goo.gl/maps/NGkFT2M9YGdfiX7p9. If you arrive after 8:20, we have left, so please drive on to Land of Medicine Buddha - use map link from this Meetup event.
From the church: 0.7 mile north on Main St. right turn onto Glen Haven Rd. 0.4 mile then slight right onto Prescott Rd. Park at the bridge just before LMB entrance if you can, otherwise drive up hill to parking lot.
DISCLAIMER: South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group assumes ABSOLUTELY NO responsibility, including but not limited to injury or loss of any kind/form due to the use of information, or participating in activities found on this group/site. Please keep in mind that YOU ALWAYS HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK and that YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. If you are not sure about the nature of a specific hike, contact the hike leader via the private message feature on this website. By becoming a member of the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Meetup Group and when you RSVP for this hike you are confirming your agreement to the rules and responsibilities of this group located here: https://www.meetup.com/SouthBayRamblersHikingGroup/
- Wilder Ranch UplandsWilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA
We have not done this hike since December 2022.
Wilder Ranch is a beautiful, mostly open park just a few miles north of Santa Cruz. Wilder Ranch showcases one of the world's finest examples of marine terraces, a terrain caused by episodic uplifts (here from earthquakes) and by rapid fluctuations in sea level (due to ice ages). The terraced terrain gives us sweeping ocean views on the way down. We also spend a little bit of time in redwoods.
Hike: the hike will be about 9 miles, with an ascent of only about 800 feet (the difficulty is moderate). Ticks are abundant here. Be smart and be prepared to tuck your pants into your socks.
Trails: from the parking lot we walk to the visitor center, through the tunnel, then up Englemann's Loop, to Old Cabin trail, to Eucalyptus Loop and stop at the picnic tables. Then Eucalyptus to Wilder Ridge Loop to Zane Grey Cutoff, back to Wilder Ridge Loop and finally back to the tunnel. We can admire the old ranch on our way back to our cars.
Directions: Expect the drive to take 40 minutes from Los Gatos, but do check with your favorite mapping program. Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz. Take the Hwy 1, Half Moon Bay exit. From this point it is about 5 miles to Wilder and slow going for 3 miles (in town). Ascend the hill and turn right onto Mission St. Follow Mission until you reach the edge of town, continue on about 2 miles and make left turn into park.
Cost: Park fee is $10 or State Park pass.
Disclaimer: The South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers are not responsible for your safety. Outdoor activities are inherently dangerous. By signing up for these events, you agree to release the South Bay Ramblers Hiking Group and its event organizers from any responsibility, liability, or claim in law or in equity. If you don't agree to these terms, DO NOT join this meetup event. The South Bay Ramblers does not certify the expertise of its event organizers - we are all volunteers. You are responsible for yourself. Please come prepared with appropriate hiking shoes, gear and water.