55+ Bay Area Active & Social Couples

Hi there!
This group is for people 55+ who are in a serious relationship of any denomination and want to get to know other couples via fun activities with the hope of creating life long friendships. Keep reading, please ...

FYI: Our membership numbers should actually be DOUBLED since each member represents a couple.

My name is Nieves. I was born and raised in Spain. In early 2012, I became a member of Meetup looking for a way out of my house and work routine. Meetup literally saved my life.

All I was doing as a single mom in a foreign country was going to college at night time, working as a high school bio/chem teacher, working extra hours, taking care of things at home, shopping for food, repeat, repeat, repeat. Exhausting!

One day, another teacher mentioned Meetup and took me to a Spanish wine tasting meetup in The Alameda (San Jose). Shortly after that, I signed up for a hiking group and that moment changed my life forever.

I want us to get to a place where we feel like we are family.

I have met some of my very best friends, including our wedding witnesses, on my first hike at Uvas Canyon in January 2012.

I met my husband, Craig, via a hiking group I organized and we are now both continuing the legacy for our love to Nature and social events. We want others to know that there is more in Life than working hard, taking care of others, shopping at the grocery store (weekend trip to Costco, anyone?) and watching TV.

Trust me, if you are in the fence about joining and participating in events in this group, DO IT! I understand the "fears" and "concerns" associated with meeting new people. You are not alone. I have gone, and still do, through those same fears and concerns. More so now that I am an organizer and feel the "performing well pressure."

The worst that can happen is that you do not like us (and you will)... But if this group is not for you, there are plenty of other Meetup groups that could save you from boredom, solitude, and too many TV shows. You have nothing to lose :).
By creating this group, we hope to meet like-minded couples with hopes that we will become not just "meetup acquaintances" but real "life friends."
We have met most of our very good friends through meetup and we hope to continue meeting new people that will help us continue to enrich our lives.

I have been an organizer of several groups and an event organizer of other groups since 2011.
I currently organize a group name 55+ Almaden Hiking & Social Group that welcomes both couples and single members.You are most welcome to also join this group if you wish.
We will post events in this group that will not be posted in the 55+ South Bay Social Couples (such as female-only pool parties, arts & crafts, walks, and hikes). However, many of the events we create will be posted both in this group as well as in the 55+ Almaden Hiking & Social Group.

ABOUT CRAIG AND I:
Craig and I both enjoy and love Nature, hiking, kayaking, food, Shakespeare in the Park, Music in the Park, volunteering, boardgames, dancing (we love dancing!), the arts, swimming pool parties, walking, weekend get-aways ... And we are open to suggestions from members. We will also be most grateful if you become an event organizer (We will train you. It is super easy).

We are not much into wine tasting per se but we will welcome anyone willing to become a host to create wine tasting activities and such. However, Craig and I will host some music events at wineries as summer and other holidays approach. Most of these events will include a potluck.

FEES:
Most of our events will be FREE. However, a fee may be charged for events that require reservations (such as restaurants, music events...) to make sure those members signing for the event are committed to attend. Fees are non-refundable.

WHAT WE EXPECT:
We understand that there are lots of meetup groups offering wonderful events. We ask that you be considerate and appreciative of the time and effort it takes for organizers of THIS group to create events and how it affects others when members change their RSVP within 48 hours from the start of the event. This is becoming a serious issue in the "meetup world" and one that organizers have to deal with constantly. It is for this reason that cancellations done within 24 hours from the start of the event will be considered as a "no show."

• RSVP for events you are sure to attend.
• Do not RSVP using our group as a "place holder" while waiting to be accepted in another group.
• Cancel within 48 hours from the start of the event to allow other members in the waitlist to attend OR to allow the organizer to accommodate the event, restaurant reservations, etc.
• Be considerate of others, fun, engaging, active, positive...

Members with three "no shows" will be removed from the group.
Members who consistently change their RSVP to "not attending" will be removed from the group and will also have a low priority when we have parties, etc...
Members who did not attend any event in a year will be removed from the group.

THANK YOU for your interest in this group and we hope you become a long time member and friend!
Craig & Nieves