HYSTA Founders Club - Founders Hiking
The best founder conversations happen outside the boardroom.
HYSTA Founders Club invites you to step away from the screen and into nature for a morning hike in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Whether you're a pre-seed founder looking for your first investor conversation or a seasoned entrepreneur seeking peer support, the trail is where walls come down and real talk begins.
🏔 ABOUT THE TRAIL
We'll be hiking at Sanborn County Park in Saratoga — a lush 3,453-acre mountain park nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, filled with towering redwoods, tanbark oaks, and peaceful creek-side canyons. We'll take the San Andreas to Sanborn Trail Loop, a popular moderate route through some of the park's most scenic terrain.
• Trail: San Andreas to Sanborn Trail Loop
• Distance: ~3.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: ~1,000 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate — some steep sections, suitable for most fitness levels
• Terrain: Mix of wide graded paths and singletrack trails through redwood forest
• Note: The trail is mostly shaded — perfect for a morning hike under the tree canopy
Sanborn County Park features over 22 miles of trails with stunning old-growth redwoods, creek crossings, and mountain views. It's a hidden gem of the South Bay — and the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations.
🕐 SCHEDULE
• 8:30 AM — Check-in & Meetup at the main parking lot (water provided)
• 9:00 AM — Hit the Trail — San Andreas Trail departure, casual networking along the way
• 10:30 AM — Mid-hike Break — rest, photos, and open networking
• 11:30 AM — Return to parking lot, event wraps up
👥 WHO YOU'LL MEET
This is a curated gathering of the HYSTA Founders Club community:
• Founders — early-stage to growth-stage tech entrepreneurs
• Investors — VCs and angels active in the Silicon Valley ecosystem
• HYSTA Board Members & Advisors — seasoned leaders and mentors
• HYSTA Staff & Volunteers — the team behind the community
HYSTA (华源科技协会) has spent 27 years building Silicon Valley's most connected Chinese American tech community — 70,000+ members, 700+ partners, and a track record that speaks for itself. In 2025, 3 of 4 winning startups from our Annual Roadshow closed a new funding round within just 3 months.
Some of the strongest partnerships in our community started with a casual walk. This could be yours.
🎒 WHAT TO BRING
• Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners (the trail has steep, uneven sections — no sandals or casual shoes)
• Water bottle (we'll provide some at check-in)
• Sunscreen & hat — though the trail is mostly shaded, some sections are exposed
• Light layers — mornings in the Santa Cruz Mountains can be cool and misty
• A light snack or energy bar for the trail
• Trekking poles (optional but helpful for steep sections)
• Your best startup story or a question you've been wanting to ask
🅿️ PARKING & ENTRY FEE
⚠️ There is a $6 per vehicle parking/entry fee at Sanborn County Park, payable by cash or credit card at the entrance kiosk. Please have your payment ready when you arrive. The park address is 16055 Sanborn Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070. We recommend arriving by 8:15 AM to check in on time.
💡 Tip: If you have a Santa Clara County Parks Annual Pass, entry is included. You can also check out a free park pass from your local Santa Clara County library!
⚠️ GOOD TO KNOW
• Leashed dogs are allowed on the Sanborn Trail (but NOT on Peterson Memorial Trail)
• The trail has some steep uphill/downhill sections — wear appropriate footwear and bring trekking poles if needed
• The park opens at 8:00 AM — please do not arrive before the gates open
• No registration fee — this is a community event (but the $6 parking fee applies)
• Spots are limited to 30 participants to keep the group intimate
• Cell service can be spotty in the park — download offline maps if needed
📋 WEATHER PREP FOR MARCH 28
Late March mornings in the Santa Cruz Mountains can be cool (50-60°F) and potentially misty. Dress in moisture-wicking layers, and bring a light rain jacket just in case. The trail can be muddy after recent rains — waterproof shoes or trail runners are strongly recommended.
This is a members-only event. Registration is required and subject to host approval.
Questions? Reach out to community@hysta.org
HYSTA Founders Club — Build. Connect. Scale.