Gratitude in Community

Thanksgiving Weekend · Sweetwood Camp · Half Moon Bay

Sweetwood Group Camp - Halfmoon Bay

Post-Thanksgiving: Friday, Nov. 28 - Sunday, Nov. 30

The Great Leftover Remix

The day after Thanksgiving, we’re bringing leftovers, music, and people together for a remix under the stars. We’ll share great food, good vibes, and real connection - because at the end of the day, community is the real feast.

What to bring: Pack Your Leftovers!

Bring whatever leftovers you'd like to share (and coolers for storage) - sides, desserts, or creative leftover creations. We'll bring the turkey but your contributions will make it a true leftover remix.

Where are we going?

Join us at Sweetwood Camp in Half Moon Bay, a coastal sanctuary just an hour from the Bay Area. This beautiful spot offers everything we love about camping together: spacious grounds under towering cypress trees, gentle walking paths perfect for family exploration, and that magical moment when you drift off to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves.

What to Expect

Sweetwood offers a more rustic experience with porta potties and water spigots. We will set up our communal shower for those who want to use it. The nearby campground (Francis Beach - a few minutes drive or a 5 minute bike ride) has flush toilets and showers for those who want to use them.

The camping area is flat and a great place for kids to explore, play catch, collect sticks and just run around. There’s a really nice walking and biking trail that runs right by the campsite and extends along the coast. This is a great place for your kid to ride their bike! Beach access is down a somewhat steep trail so be aware if you have accessibility needs.

Sign up today!

In it Together: Camping As Community🤝🏾
From the moment you arrive, you're part of our camping family. Whether it's setting up tents, preparing meals, or keeping an eye on the kids, everyone pitches in to support each other. You'll never feel like you're figuring it out alone—there's always someone ready to lend a hand or share their camping wisdom.

Our Mantra: Camp as it Comes

Our guiding principle is "camp as it comes" - saying yes to whatever the weekend brings, whether that's morning mist, kids who won't sleep, or a sunset that takes your breath away. It's all part of your story, and it's all camping.

Our Trip Philosophy

➡️ Belonging: We believe that public lands are for everyone. We center the experiences of folks who have been marginalized from outdoor spaces, creating supportive environments where all feel welcome. Together, we're rewriting the narrative of who belongs in our beautiful natural world.

➡️ Collective Responsibility: We thrive together. From setting up camp to preparing meals, we share responsibilities and wisdom across experiences and generations. Our collaborative approach builds confidence, develops outdoor skills, and creates meaningful connections that extend beyond each trip.

➡️ Restoration & Joy: We embrace nature's power to inspire awe and renewal. Our trips create spaces where families experience the wonder of starlit skies and sunrise moments, find joy in shared discoveries, and develop traditions that nurture wellbeing through the restorative qualities of the outdoors.

➡️ Stewardship & Legacy: We honor our responsibility to protect and preserve these lands for future generations. Through hands-on experiences and cultural connections to place, we inspire a lasting commitment to environmental care that becomes part of each family's outdoor practice.

What do Outdoorithm Collective trips look like?

Here’s a quick peak at our trips and our amazing community.

FAQs

  • No, there is no fee to attend. Outdoorithm Collective is run entirely on donations - please consider supporting this and future trips by making a tax-deductible donation online.

  • A gear list will be provided! You will need to bring your own sleeping pad and sleeping bag, toiletries, clothing (think layers), and drinks and snacks (with a cooler for storage if needed). We may not be able to accommodate all dietary restrictions so please plan accordingly.

  • For this trip, Friday dinner will be a leftover remix - we will bring turnkey; please bring any left over sides and desserts, or other things you want to share. Saturday, we’ll provide breakfast, sandwich spread for lunch, and dinner; Sunday we’ll provide breakfast only.

  • Please reach out to Sally directly at sally@outdoorithmcollective.org

Exploring New Brighton & Santa Cruz

Walking along New Brighton's coastal bluffs and beaches is like stepping into California's natural playground—where ocean breezes carry the salt air and every tide brings new treasures to discover. The dramatic meeting of land and sea creates an ever-changing landscape of sandy shores and forested bluffs that have welcomed visitors for generations.

Popular Areas to Explore:

  • New Brighton Beach Trail (Easy) – A gentle 0.9-mile out-and-back trail that takes you from the campground down to the beautiful sandy coastline. Perfect for families and accessible for all ages.

  • Seacliff State Beach Walk (Easy) – A 3.2-mile stroll along the beach from New Brighton to Seacliff State Beach, where you can see the famous concrete ship. This flat, sandy walk offers stunning bay views and is great for beachcombing. Turn around at any point or go all the way for a 6+ mile walk.

  • Bluff Top Trails (Easy) – Short, scenic paths wind through the cypress and pine forest above the beach, offering peaceful spots to rest in the shade and glimpses of the coastline through the trees.

  • Forest of Nisene Marks State Park – Just 4 miles inland, this spectacular redwood forest offers 30 miles of hiking and biking trails through second-growth redwoods, including the easy Old-Growth Loop Trail and the popular Aptos Creek Fire Road.

  • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Only 7 miles away (11-minute drive), this iconic seaside amusement park features the famous Giant Dipper roller coaster, classic carnival rides, arcade games, and beachfront fun. Perfect for a family day trip during your camping weekend.

  • Monterey Bay Views – From various spots throughout the park, take in the sweeping views of this world-renowned marine sanctuary, where you might spot sea otters, seals, or migrating whales.

However you choose to explore, the outdoors will meet you exactly where you are.