San Francisco Dinner:

"California Coastal Trail Expedition"

Thu., Oct. 20, social hour 6 pm, dinner 7, show 8 - City Forest Lodge, 254 Laguna Honda Boulevard, San Francisco (across from Laguna Honda Hospital and downhill from Forest Hill Station; take Muni's K, L, M, or 43). Come early for street parking (no sidewalk parking please).

Imagine 1,200-mile-long trail along the California coast from Oregon to Mexico. It will link local coastal trails, beaches, city paths, rural back roads, and trails through wild areas, giving a place to walk or hike off the highway, often through beautiful places where the wildness is protected. Some urban trails are also bike and equestrian trails, and these will be incorporated into a braided California Coastal Trail.

This is the vision of Coastwalk, a small non-profit organization based in Sebastopol. Coastwalk has worked about 22 years to bring the trail to fruition. It has joined together hundreds of volunteers throughout the state to advocate for the trail and educate people about the possibilities of a protected and open coastline. Coastwalk leads 4 - 7-day summer hiking and camping trips in each of the 15 coastal counties, for people to have a fun adventure while learning about places they may never have experienced.

Linda Hanes, current president of the Coastwalk Board, was one of nine who spent 16 weeks in 2003 hiking the entire coast, as much as possible along the projected route, both for fun and to achieve publicity for the trail.

Hear Linda Hanes talk about her adventures on the coast trip and share her pictures and information about the trail as it exists now.

Reservations are required (no attendance for program only). Mail check for $13.50 made out to "Sierra Club, S.F. Bay Chapter" to Barb Bourns at:

274A Connecticut St.
San Francisco, CA 94107.

Checks must be received by Mon., Oct. 17. Bring your own wine or soft drinks. Glasses and ice available. Let us know if you are a vegetarian. Questions? Call Barb before 9 pm at (415)431-6054.

To learn more about Coastwalk and the trail, go to www.californiacoastaltrail.info and www.coastwalk.org