California Missions Trail

Born from the ancient footpaths traversing the coast between California’s twenty-one Spanish missions, the California Missions Trail connects historic missions, pueblos, and presidios over an 800-mile long pilgrimage walk. Established between 1769 and 1823, the missions offered refuge and Christian hospitality along the dusty outposts of the Golden State. From their humble, thatch-roofed beginnings to the stately adobes we see today, the missions represent a dynamic and controversial chapter in the history of Spanish colonialism, Catholicism, and the birth of California as we know it today.

For pilgrims seeking an American version of the Camino de Santiago, this unique path certainly offers opportunity for a rich spiritual experience; however the “California Camino” requires more of the walker with limited infrastracture but rewards those who embark richly with some of the most engaging and dramatic scenery of any Camino walk in the United States or worldwide!

A Beginner’s Guide to the California Missions Trail

Born from the ancient footpaths traversing the coast between California’s twenty-one Spanish missions, the California Missions Trail or El Camino Real in California ("The Royal Road") as it is also known connects historic missions, pueblos, and presidios over an 800-mile long pilgrimage walk. Established between 1769 and 1823, the missions offered refuge and Christian hospitality along the dusty outposts of the Golden State. From their humble, thatch-roofed beginnings to the stately adobes we see today, the missions represent a dynamic chapter in the history of Spanish colonialism, Catholicism, and the birth of California as we know it today. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS TRAIL THE 21 CALIFORNIA MISSIONS The 21 missions that comprise the California ...
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California Missions Trail ESSENTIALS

GPS & Google Earth Routes for the California Missions Trail

In researching the California Mission Walk, also known as "El Camino Real" for an upcoming pilgrimage, I quickly found a number of wonderful resources and communities of walkers. However, specific GPS, GPX, and KML files for Google Maps detailing for the California ...
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Key Differences between the California Missions Trail and Camino de Santiago

With more Americans walking the Camino de Santiago and looking for a Camino walk in the United States, the California Missions Trail has begun to draw more pilgrims seeking a pilgrimage walk in America ...
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PACKING LIST: What to Pack to Hike the California Missions Trail

Once the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a change in my plans to hike the Via Francigena through England and France, I set my sights on walking the California Missions Trail in the summer of 2020. With abundant options for lodging, food, and resupply, ...
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HOW TO: Five Tips for Urban Hiking

Nearly all of my pilgrimage trips have included some amount of urban hiking through modern cities, including the Camino de Santiago as you arrive at the Cathedral and the California Mission Trail through the major metro areas of San Diego, Los Angeles, ...
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CALIFORNIA MISSIONS TRAIL PODCASTS

EP1: Interview with Camino Pilgrim & Author Sandy Brown

PODCAST HOMEPAGE: www.sacredstepspodcast.com Cicerone Press Associate Publisher Sandy Brown (www.caminoist.org) joins Author Kevin Donahue (www.sacredstepsbook.com) to discuss their pilgrimage experiences, Sandy's ...
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EP7: COVID Updates for the Camino de Santiago and Other Pilgrimage Routes

Podcast Homepage - sacredstepspodcast.com Author Kevin Donahue (http://www.sacredstepsbook.com) answers the question, "It is safe to walk pilgrimage now?" and shares ...
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EP11: 11: COVID Updates for the Camino de Santiago & Pilgrimage Routes

Podcast Homepage - sacredstepspodcast.com Author Kevin Donahue (http://www.sacredstepsbook.com) answers the question, "It is safe to walk pilgrimage now?" and shares ...
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EP8: Walking the California Missions Trail with Author Christian Clifford

Podcast Homepage - http://sacredstepspodcast.com Author and educator Christian Clifford (https://missions1769.com/) joins author Kevin Donahue (http://www.sacredstepsbook.com) to discuss walking a Camino ...
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EXPERT ARTICLES

Layering Ultralight Clothing for Pilgrimage Backpacking

For those who follow this blog or my podcast (APPLE | GOOGLE | YOUTUBE | WWW), you're familiar with my essential packing list for the ...
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PILGRIM RESOURCES FOR COVID-19

Following the deadly outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, most pilgrimage plans along the Camino de Santiago and Via Francigena were canceled or delayed in 2020 ...
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Key Differences between the California Missions Trail and Camino de Santiago

With more Americans walking the Camino de Santiago and looking for a Camino walk in the United States, the California Missions Trail has begun to ...
Read More

PACKING LIST: First-Aid Kit for Blisters and Foot Care

One of the questions I get from both experienced and newer backpackers alike is: what first aid and foot care items should I carry in ...
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PACKING LIST: What to Pack to Hike the California Missions Trail

Once the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a change in my plans to hike the Via Francigena through England and France, I set my sights on walking ...
Read More

HOW TO: Five Tips for Urban Hiking

Nearly all of my pilgrimage trips have included some amount of urban hiking through modern cities, including the Camino de Santiago as you arrive at ...
Read More

PACKING LIST: Backpacking First-Aid Kit

As a lifelong Scout and Scout Leader, I've probably created and carried more than 30 unique first-aid kits over the years. I say "created" because ...
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A Beginner’s Guide to the California Missions Trail

Born from the ancient footpaths traversing the coast between California’s twenty-one Spanish missions, the California Missions Trail or El Camino Real in California ("The Royal ...
Read More

GPS & Google Earth Routes for the California Missions Trail

In researching the California Mission Walk, also known as "El Camino Real" for an upcoming pilgrimage, I quickly found a number of wonderful resources and ...
Read More