Great Outdoors upcoming events

PS - Speaker Series - NARCAN Training: Protect your community from OPIOID-related overdoses (Tue, May 26, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Speaker Series:

The facts about the Opioid Crisis and Ways to Protect your Community from Opioid-related Overdoses!

FREE: Receive a 2 - Year Certification.

FREE: Receive your own NARCAN and Fentanyl testing strips.

GOPS is honored to welcome St. John's Community Health Programs to present this NARCAN Training at our May 2026 members meeting.

The Opioid Crisis is in the Coachella Valley, and in our community.

Through education can we become better equipped to protect ourselves and each other from this epidemic.

GOPS welcomes you to join us for this important and informative training.

The training will be free, fun and you will gain very valuable knowledge.

This presentation will be held before our monthly Core Group meeting located at:

The LGBTQ Community Center: 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr., Room 3, Floor 3, Palm Springs 92262

Light refreshments will be provided before the presentation.

For questions about the event, contact Jeff C at Outreach-PS@greatoutdoors.org

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE ROOM, WE MUST LIMIT THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES TO 30 PERSONS.

IF THE EVENT IS FULL, PLEASE REGISTER ON THE WAITLIST. IN MOST CASES THERE ARE CANCELLATIONS PRIOR TO THE EVENT AND WE CAN USUALLY ACCOMMODATE EVERYONE.

PS - Monthly Membership Meeting - In-Person and Zoom (Tue, May 26, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 01:30:00 GMT

GOPS Monthly Core Group Meetings are usually held on the fourth Tuesday of each month starting at 6:30 pm, subject to change due to holidays and conflicting events. Meetings can be attended online via Zoom each month. Meetings are held simultaneously in-person in January, March, May, July, September and November 2026. In-person meetings are held at the Center, 3rd floor Meeting Room 3, 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA.

Check the event registration details for the date and the particulars of the meeting.

GOPS members can attend by registering for the meeting. For best results in attending via Zoom, plan to use a computer or tablet equipped with a camera and microphone. Information on how to enter the Zoom meeting will be provided to registrants in their Confirmation and Reminder emails.

SBVC - 2026 Conference Planning Meeting (Wed, June 03, 2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Hello Everyone,

Our GO-SBVC chapter will be hosting the annual Great Outdoors All Conference Campout this October 16–18 at Lake Cachuma, and we’re looking for members who would like to help plan and coordinate the event.

We’re forming a Planning Committee and invite anyone interested in being involved to join us for our first meeting:

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Brian Miller’s downtown Santa Barbara office 6th floor conference room

We’ll discuss ideas, logistics, activities, hospitality, and ways members can help make this a fun and successful conference for all five chapters.

Pizza will likely be provided, so please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Your voice, ideas, and participation are greatly appreciated, and we’d love to have you involved.

Thank you,
Chris Curry
GO-SBVC President
805.280.2016
ccurry2000@yahoo.com

LA- Hike, Solstice Canyon, Malibu (Sun, June 21, 2026)

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Solstice Canyon for the Summer Solstice

Late Afternoon Hike & Dinner at Malibu Seafood

Let's park and gather in front of this building.

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026

Time: 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Dinner to follow)

Location: Solstice Canyon, Malibu, CA

Distance: ~3.3 miles

Elevation Gain: ~1,000 feet

Difficulty: Moderate with breaks

Trip Leader: Russell Hammerl

Hike Description

Joina beautiful late-afternoon hike in Malibu to celebrate the summer solstice! We will beat the midday heat by starting at 4:00 PM, enjoying the canyon shade, ocean breezes, and Golden Hour views of the Pacific.

Our ~3-mile route will explore the rich history and diverse scenery of Solstice Canyon. We will start on the paved Solstice Canyon Trail, taking a gentle stroll alongside a shaded riparian creek under the canopy of live oaks and sycamores. Along the way, we will pass the historic stone ruins of the Keller House (built over a century ago) and continue to the Tropical Terrace ruins—the footprints of a mid-century mansion designed by renowned architect Paul Revere Williams, complete with a multi-tiered perennial waterfall.

We will return via the scenic Rising Sun Trail back down to the trailhead just as the sun begins its low dip toward the horizon.

Ruins of Tropical Terrace. The waterfall is behind the house

What to Bring

Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes or boots with good traction for dirt and rocky single-track paths and perhaps hiking poles.
Water: At least 2 liters of water. Even though we are starting late and most of the trail is heavily shaped, parts of the upper ridge are exposed.
Sun Protection: Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Layers: A light jacket or windbreaker (Malibu canyons can cool down quickly as the sun goes down)
Money: for post-hike dinner.

Post-Hike Dinner: Malibu Seafood

After working up an appetite, we will drive just a couple of miles on the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu Seafood. It’s a classic local staple with outdoor picnic tables and patios overlooking the ocean. It's very casual. They serve incredible fish and chips, clam chowder, grilled seafood, and more. It’s the perfect way to cap off a fantastic day outdoors with old and new friends! (Please note: Dinner is optional, and members are responsible for their own meal costs).

Directions & Parking

Address: Intersection of Corral Canyon Rd & Solstice Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265.

Click here: Google Map, Solstice Canyon

From the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), turn inland onto Corral Canyon Road. Drive less than 0.25 miles and turn left into the park entrance continue all the way and park in the last lot. There shouldn't be problems parking this late in the afternoon but if there is go back to Corral Canyon Rd., park and walk to the end parking area .

Parking Note: The main parking lot is small and fills up fast, but since we have a later start, some spaces may open up. If you park along Corral Canyon Road, make sure your tires are completely outside the white road lines, or you will be subject to ticketing/towing.

"Save a tree" and some gas by carpooling. We have a special link for those that would like to ride together: Carpool

or take public transportation: LA Metro Trip Planner

Cancellation Policy: In the event of extreme weather, high fire danger, or park closures, the hike will be postponed, and an email will be sent to all registered participants.

There are still lots of wildflowers to be seen

1981 - 2026 CALIFORNIA GREAT OUTDOORS, INC.,
a 501(c)(7) not-f © or-profit, all-volunteer LGBTQIA+ and Allies organization dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors. All rights reserved. Privacy policy

SD/OCLB/LA/PS - Great Outdoors Archive Visit @ USC Libraries ONE Archives (Sat, August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 16:45:00 GMT

USC ONE Archives Visit

Saturday Aug 1, 2026 at 10am sharp

Join us to learn about the history of Great Outdoors from when we began in 1978 to today, including our founders and historical chapters across California and beyond!

Day of Schedule:

10:00am USC One Archive Visit

12:00pm Lunch (on own or as group)

11:30am Urban Walk through USC Campus (1.1 miles, ~30min)

12pmn Lunch

Potential Urban Walk Information: This hike from the ONE Archive at USC to lunch. This urban walk is expected to take 30mins at a generous pace.

Parking: USC's ONE Archive has a free private parking lot, so anyone coming directly to the archive will be fine. If you plan to park at the archive, and walk to and back from the exhibition on campus, there shouldn't be a problem with parking. If anyone is planning to park near the exhibition on campus following the archive visit, however, that would likely be rather difficult and expensive.

Cost: Free for Archive visit

Time Commitment: Plan for approx 3-4 hours

Dogs: No animals allowed.

Health Problems/Allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with a trip leader if you wish.

Contact/Question:- If you have any questions not addressed by the information above or on our registration page, please feel free to contact the trip leader: Tyler Roosden (651.497.1611)

SBVC - Flying Club / Primetimers BBQ - SAVE THE DATE (Sat, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Flying Club / Primetimers BBQ

Fire up the grill, let's make some noise,
Burgers, dogs, and happy joys!
Good food, good friends, a perfect day,
Come hang with us, don't delay!

WHEN: Sept 12, 2026 @ TBD

WHERE: Goleta Beach Park

*Registration is not open at this time. More info to follow...*

SBVC - Lake Lopez: AG Harvest Festival - SAVE THE DATE (Thu, September 24, 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Lake Lopez - Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival

The Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival is a local favorite event that features everything from entertainment to food, scarecrow and baking contests, games for the kids, movie night, and so much more! This family-friendly event highlights the best of Arroyo Grande and its neighboring communities.

When: Sept 24 - 27, 2026 @ TBD

*Registration is not open yet at this time. More info to follow...*

SBVC/CORP - 48th All Chapter Conference and Campout - SAVE THE DATE (Fri, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

*** SAVE THE DATE ***

Hello GO!

Please make sure that you mark your calendars for the
48th All Chapter Conference and Campout
Hosted by GO-SBVC

Dates
Friday, October 16 thru Sunday, October 18, 2026
Location
TBA