Cachin' the Bay 2025 Block Party
When: Saturday, June 28, 2025, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: History Park, San Jose, CA 95112
Who: All geocachers – young, old, veterans, first-timers, families, locals, out-of-towners, and international cachers!
Why: We are taking the 25 year history aspect seriously -both globally and locally.
We will:
- have a recreation of the Original Stash GCF & its contents with audio narration of the creation with Dave Ulmer's voice
- have a beautiful recreation of Mingo
- have AL locations that show off the original icons used in the earliest days of Geocaching
- showcase how the Bay Area made major contributions to Geocaching including:
- The Jasmer Challenge
- The Fizzy Grid (GC11E8N DT 81)
- First DeLorme Challenge (GCHANH)
- Marky and Joani invent the Blinkie (GCMBV0)
- Certitude created in the Bay Area
- First use of What 3 Words by Kanchan https://coord.info/GC4N5VE
- Apple and Google created iOS and Android OS devices allowing smart phones to geocache
- Locally there are several very loved caches that have gone away. Three of them, Red Rocket (GC3YWA6 431 Faves, 35mm Cannon (GC4YG14 237 Faves), and Nuts (GC41D4C 563 Faves) have been rescued from oblivion and the originals will be at our Block Party
- We are planning to have 20 gadget caches
- The adjacent disc golf course will host 5 cache types and overall 9 icon types can be found in the general area of the event. Dedicated "busy day" cachers can get up to 12 or 13 icon types using caches from the broader area
- And much more...
This year, we are offering 4 registration options.
- Startup - FREE
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Venture Capitalist Sold Out
Tech Mogul Sold OutStrategic Partnership Sold Out
Visit the Registration page for benefits of each tier.
The Geocachers of the Bay Area welcomes you to Silicon Valley to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Geocaching
We are excited to invite geocachers from around the world to join us for a day of geocaching fun at the beautiful History Park, in the heart of Silicon Valley. This is the same wonderful location as our Cachin’ the Bay Mega-Event in 2023 event!
Celebrating 25 Years of Geocaching History at History Park San Jose
About the venue: History Park is located at the south end of Kelley Park at the corner of Senter Road and Phelan Avenue. Through 32 original and reproduction homes, businesses, and landmarks, History Park reveals Santa Clara Valley’s past. Complete with paved streets, running trolleys, and an old-fashioned ice cream shop, this 14-acre site offers the charm and ambiance of times gone by.
-Announcements-
This is Probably Our Last Transmission Before the Block Party.
We just have a couple of things to share.
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Online Auction Reminder
The auction ends at NOON on Friday, June 27. You can pick up your bid winnings at the Auction Pick Up table in the Hub on Saturday.
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Parking
There is a chance that the parking ticket machine in the main lot on Phelan will still be broken on Saturday. If it is covered in black plastic, then think of it as a gift to you from the city of San Jose. Parking will be free.
Travel safely everyone! See you Saturday!
June 19 Updates
Better sit down and buckle up! Today’s announcements are packed with important information.
Speaker Sessions
The schedule is out for the Cachin' the Bay 2025 Sessions. We have two exciting sessions this year. Because of strict room capacity limits in the Firehouse, we have a limited number of seats available. Please review the available slots and sign up.
Reviewer Panel with TOTTcho
Come meet our local reviewer! Bring your questions and learn about all the amazing things our reviewers do to support Bay Area geocaching.
Making Great Puzzle Caches with Fizzymagic
A guide to making mystery caches that are fun and challenging. Fizzymagic's highly opinionated views on caching puzzles and mystery caches. Appropriate for beginning to advanced puzzlers.
Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions
We’re introducing a new activity at Cachin’ the Bay this year – “Birds-of-a-feather” sessions! These are sessions hosted by Block Party attendees on topics of interest to the geocaching community. These sessions will be conducted on a more informal basis than the speaker sessions in the Empire Fire House. These sessions do not require registration – if you’re interested, just show up!
Any Block Party attendee can host a Birds-of-a-feather session. Just let us know in advance what topic you would like to host, pick a time and location, and we’ll add it to the master schedule.
Sessions Already Scheduled
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SESSION TITLE
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HOST
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TIME
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LOCATION
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Cache Containers:
An Open Discussion on
Types & Sources,
Weather Durability,
and DIY Containers
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cachebefound
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12:00 - 1:00
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Empire Fire House
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Puzzle Solving Breakouts
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fizzymagic
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12:30 - 1:30
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Picnic tables
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Hiking in the Bay Area
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Cats4us
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1:30 - 2:30
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Empire Fire House
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Advance registration is not required for any Birds-of-a-feather session.
FOR MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING HOW TO HOST A SESSION, VISIT THE
BIRDS OF A FEATHER SESSIONS BLOG ON THE GBA WEBSITE.
Pre-registered sessions will be included in the master Block Party schedule.
Pre-Ordered Lunch
We're excited to offer Pre-Ordered Lunches from a fantastic local spot, The Summit Store, for the Block Party!
Each bagged lunch includes a whole sandwich and a bag of chips. You can choose from three tasty options. All prices include tax, and will be delivered to the Block Party for pickup starting at 11:00 AM.
Don't miss out! June 25th is the last day to order lunch!
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Veggie Delight
- Santa Cruzan
- The New Yorker
WE WILL ONLY BE SERVING PRE-ORDERED LUNCHES. PRE-ORDER YOUR LUNCH HERE or at the Store.
Note: There are very limited dining choices near the event venue.
Passport Tour
The GBA is hosting a “25 Years of Geocaching in the Bay Area” passport tour this year. This is the GBA’s “homegrown” geocaching tour, designed to guide visitors and locals to fun and iconic geocaching locations while celebrating significant figures in the local geocaching community.
Find 25 caches, turn your completed passport and collect your GBA Passport geocoin!
You will have over a week to complete your passport! (June 20-29)
The passport tour will open at 8:00 am on Friday, June 20. It will remain open until the Block Party on Saturday, June 28.
If you need more time, you can also turn in your passport at the Cachin' The Bay 2025 Sunday Community Breakfast (GCAXGH4) on June 29 between 8:00 - 10:00 am (While supplies of the GBA geocoins last!).
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION, VISIT THE GBA PASSPORT BLOG.
Auction
The Cachin' the Bay Online Auction is bursting with incredible treasures, thanks to some fantastic donations! To get you excited, we've set the starting prices really low, so dive in, register, and get ready to bid!
The auction is open now. Bidding opens Friday, June 20th, and runs for a full week. The auction will close on Friday, June 27th at noon. Don't miss your chance to snag some amazing items!
THE AUCTION HOST SITE CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING. FOR DETAILED INFORMATION, SWING BY THE GBA ONLINE AUCTION BLOG.
Auction Item Pick Up
When you win an item or items, you will receive a congratulatory notification and an invoice. Pay online using your credit card, it’s very easy. We recommend paying on Friday so you don’t have to worry about it on Saturday.
Once your payment is complete, you can pick up your items at the Block Party at the Auction Pickup at the Hub. We'll have the list of winners ready to ensure a smooth process.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COLLECTING YOUR WINNINGS, VISIT THE GBA AUCTION PICK UP BLOG POST.
Discover the Bay Area's Most Noteworthy Caches!
The Bay Area is home to some truly special geocaches, and the GBA board has curated an impressive index of these important hides! This valuable list collates caches by age, icon type, favorite points, and even personal GBA favorites.
Whether you're a local or just visiting, this is an absolute must-see resource!
DIVE INTO THE GBA WORTHY CACHES BLOG POST NOW – YOU'LL WISH YOU HAD A MONTH TO EXPLORE THEM ALL!
Ready for the Ultimate Challenge? Tackle a ‘Busy Day’at Cachin' the Bay!
For the uninitiated, a ‘Busy Day’ challenge in geocaching involves finding a set number of different geocache icon types within a single day. While many challenges historically capped at 6-8 types, and even finding 12 (like Sacramento's GC4N23F) is a significant feat, higher numbers became exceptionally rare after geocaching rules evolved.
However, don't despair if you're an intrepid cacher yearning for a truly ‘busy day’!
We've designed an event that empowers you to push your limits. We have crafted plans that could get you to 12, 13, or even an incredible 14 icons in a single day!
HOW? OUR DEDICATED GBA BUSY DAY CHALLENGE BLOG POST BREAKS IT ALL DOWN FOR YOU.
Swap Meet
We’re introducing a new activity at Cachin’ the Bay 2025 – a Geocaching Swap Meet! Do you have a garage full of cool geocaching supplies? Random items that you’ve been planning to make a gadget cache out of for the past ten years? Is your significant other worried you’re becoming a hoarder? Well now is the time to free yourself of geocaching junk and maybe trade it for some geocaching treasures!
SEE EXTENSIVE DETAILS IN OUR GBA SWAP MEET BLOG POST.
OMESCAPE
The GBA teamed up with OmEscape Escape Rooms for a very special geocachers-only activity. The evening before Cachin’ the Bay 2025, we have reserved 3 of their Escape Rooms at a discounted price. Bring caching friends or join a group of new friends, and put your geo- senses to work solving a whole slew of fun, challenging, and mind-twisting puzzles. There are still a few slots available.
Use this link for info and booking.
PennyLane
Our friends at PennyLane Sweets & Treats are ready for us! Follow the Drinks sign, and find the shop in the park, where they offer all sorts of tasty treats and beverages. Try ordering their Cachin' the Boba drink. A special concoction made in honor of our event.
Interested in Volunteering?
The Cachin' the Bay Block Party can't happen without a slew of generous volunteers!
We still have a few 1 hour and 2 hour volunteer opportunities available, including jobs for people with limited mobility.
Check out the Volunteer Positions here.
Schedule
To view the day's schedule, click here.
Map
View the map online using the QR code or the link.
URL: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1AVB- EchL0AFLJSTiNqA5rKZZJj_fVR8&ll=37.31977139911943%2C-121.85872366998764&z=18
Activities and Side Events
June 7
June 20
- Cachin' the Bay Online Auction begins.
Clicking the link will put on an overview page. At the top middle of this screen, where it's easy to miss, click the Auction button.
June 21
June 25
June 26
June 27
- GCB5WQD - Pre-CTB 2025 Donut Event! 9:00 P.M.
Krispy Kreme Donuts. What more needs to be said?
- OMESCAPE Activity
The GBA has teamed up with OMESCAPE Escape Rooms for a very special geocachers-only activity. The evening before Cachin' the Bay 2025, we have reserved 3 Escape Rooms. Bring your friends or join a group of new friends, and put your geo-senses to work solving a whole slew of fun, challenging, and mind-twisting puzzles. Are you up for the challenge?
June 28
June 29