He could be a character straight out of a Mark Twain novel, but John Benus thinks of himself as just a regular guy with a passion for hiking Mount Tam, enjoying wine with newfound friends, and sharing tales of the outdoors. Sound good to you? Luckily, you can join John on his bimonthly Saturday Sunset Hike and Dine. The night starts around 6 p.m., when John and other hikers gather at the parking lot across from the Mountain Home Inn. Carpooling details are sorted out, then it's off to a secret starting point (hint: it's high on Mount Tam). From there, you hike along unsigned trails with IMAX-sized views of San Francisco, Stinson Beach, and Bolinas. Along the way, John shares nuggets you might otherwise miss: fragrant bay leaf trees, the rusted remnants of a getaway car used in bootlegging schemes in the 1930s, stonecrop succulents, and much more. After a few miles, the wine and snacks are brought out just in time for the sunset. John always knows the right spot for setting down the blankets and relaxing. Chat with your fellow hikers, then follow John on the easy stroll back to the secret starting point. Tamilicious!
The next Saturday Sunset Hike and Dine is this Saturday, Aug. 15. RSVP on the website or call John at 415-331-0100. It's $15 per person. No dogs.