Walking Adventure Group

For seniors who want to walk and prefer to walk in company, there’s the Downtown Walking Adventure Group, a program of the Santa Cruz Downtown Senior Center.

The goal of WAG, which started in September 2015, is to get active seniors together and explore as many places as possible, with rangers, docents and others sharing their knowledge of the habitats on the walk.

The group meets Thursdays 9:30-11:30 a.m, with walks ranging from 2-3 miles. Destinations have included Rio del Mar State Beach, Wilder Ranch bluffs, Capitola Village, Moran Lake Beach, Glenwood Open Space Preserve and Watsonville Slough, to name a few.

Ka Bezerra, who took over as walk leader in February from Kelly Mercer-Lebov, says she aims to vary the locations, from beach to mountain to urban “so everyone can get a taste.” Participants range from new retirees to active people in their 80s.

The pace varies, depending on how many people come, Bezerra said, noting a group of nine, for example, moves smoothly, while a group of 20, by virtue of its size is slower.

Another goal is to avoid falls, which could result in breaking a foot, hip or elbow, and require months of rehabilitation. So inclement weather –wet conditions or rain – has cancelled walks at Chaminade and Quail Hollow. Covid exposure also is cause for cancellation.

A new walking group, Smell the Roses, was recently introduced for people who prefer a slower stroll. This group meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, walking for an hour, enjoying the outdoors, then turning around to walk back.

Destinations have included the Natural History Museum in Santa Cruz to the Boardwalk, Rio Del Mar State Beach path to the Cement Ship, and Arana Gulch to the Harbor.

The walks are offered at no charge. To get information, see the City of Santa Cruz Recreation Activity Guide or email walkingadventuregroup@gmail.com 