2026 LENTEN WALKING PILGRIMAGE
MARCH 29 - APRIL 3, 2026
Holy Week Walking Pilgrimage
Missions Santa Clara - San Jose - Sonoma - San Rafael - Dolores San Francisco
Come walk and pray the final walking leg of the Camino de California on an epic journey from Mission Santa Clara to San Jose, joining the Diocese of Santa Rosa at Mission Sonoma and San Rafael and celebrating the 250th Jubilee of the dedication of Mission San Francisco de Asis by walking the new Camino de San Francisco Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
To join us, fill out a contact form and indicate your interest. Pilgrim accommodations are provided. We will shuttle pilgrim vehicles and carpool together. You can reach walking guide Jeff Russell at jr@caminodecalifornia.org
ITINERARY
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Optional Overnite Stay
4:30pm Arrive at the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal San Junipero Serra Friary, 1631 62d Ave, Oakland.
5:00pm Holy Hour
6:00pm Dinner
Pilgrim vehicles park overnite at the Friary.
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9:15am Pilgrim carpool from the Oakland Friary, meet at Mission San Jose and drop pilgrim vehicles. Drive 1-2 cars to Mission Santa Clara.
10:00am Sunday Mass Mission Santa Clara
11:00am Pilgrim’s Blessing. Walk 16mi to Mission San Jose.
1.7mi Memorial Cross Park (2nd Location of Mission Santa Clara), Subway Restroom stop across the street, 4.5mi Riverview Public Restrooms, 11.8mi Courtyard Fremont Restrooms
6:00/7:00pm Arrive at Mission San Jose. Pray in the Mission. Local dinner (recommend nearby House of Raha, 4137 Bay St, Fremont). Carpool to pick up vehicles at Mission Santa Clara or drive to the Oakland Friary.
Accommodations: Oakland Friary, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs)
Route Map: https://footpathapp.com/.../2E125F3C-E5B4-4142-94EB...
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7:15am: Drop 1-2 pilgrim vehicles at St Leander Church, 1-2 pilgrim carpool vehicles to Mission San Jose.
8:00am: Mass at Mission San Jose
8:30am: Pilgrim Blessing, Restrooms, Departure
Walking distance: 19.1 miles.This is a long, gritty urban walk on pavement.
7:00pm: Arrive at St. Leander Church. Pilgrim prayer in the church. Local dinner (recommend Tio’s Mediterranean Grill). Carpool to retrieve pilgrim vehicles at Mission San Jose, head to Oakland CFR Friary. Make breakfast, go to bed early.
Accommodations: Oakland Friary, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs)
Route Map: https://footpathapp.com/.../7d333074-b6a9-4622-b75b...
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5:30-6:15am: Drive all pilgrim vehicles to Vallejo Municipal Marina. Pay for parking. CFR Tahoe and driver for the return trip.
6:20-7:15am: CFR drives all pilgrim drivers to the Oakland Ferry Terminal.
6:00-7:15am: Walking pilgrims walk 1.1mi to Coliseum BART to Lake Merritt BART, walk 1mi to the Oakland Ferry Terminal.
7:35-8:00am: Take the Oakland Ferry to SF Terminal Gate E
8:20-9:20am: Take the SF Ferry to Vallejo Municipal Marina
9:30-9:450am: Drive all pilgrim vehicles to the Napa Valley Marina
10:00am: Pilgrimage to Mission Sonoma. 14 miles
The path follows wetlands along the Bay.
Arrive at Mission Sonoma, prayer, pilgrims carpool to retreive vehicles from the Napa Marina, host family or local restaurant dinner
Accommodations: Courtesy of the Diocese of Santa Rosa and the Camino de Sonoma Host Families (up to 12 pilgrims).
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7:30am: Pilgrim vehicles staged at Mission San Rafael
7:30-8:00am: Pilgrims carpool to St Francis Solano Catholic Church
8:30am: Morning Prayer (Lauds)
Santa Rosa Diocese Agenda
St Francis Solano Sonoma to Mission San RafaelAccommodations: Pilgrims sleep at the parish hall at St Rita’s Church in Fairfax, CA, courtesy of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Camino de Californi can provide 12 sleepting cots.
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CAMINO DE SAN FRANCISCO
7:00-7:45am Park pilgrim vehicles at the Golden Gate Bridge Parking Lot West Side. Carpool back to Mission San Rafael.
8:00am Morning Prayer (Lauds) at Mission San Rafael
8:30am Pilgrim Blessing + Departure. Walk 3.6mi to Saint Patrick Church in Larkspur
10:00am Depart St Patrick Church and Walk 12mi to Golden Gate Bridge.
4:00pm Arrive at the Golden Gate Bridge Overlook. Pray for California. Walk 1.3mi to Cavallo Point Lodge Restaurant.
4:30pm Collect pilgrim vehicles from Mission San Rafael and drive 15 min to St Rita’s Catholic Church. Park pilgrim vehicles at St Rita’s. Walk 10min to downtown Fairfax for dinner. Walk 10min back to St Rita’s.
7:00pm Holy Thursday Mass (Institution of the Eucharist and Washing of the Feet) + Adoration - St Rita’s Catholic Church. Adoration available until 11:30pm.
Accommodations: Pilgrims sleep at the parish hall at St Rita’s Church in Fairfax, CA, courtesy of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. Camino de Californi can provide 12 sleepting cots.
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CAMINO DE SAN FRANCISCO
7:00am Stage pilgrim vehicles at Mission San Francisco parking lot (need the parking lot gate opened). Carpool to the H Dana Bowers Golden Gate parking lot.
7:30am Pilgrim Departure. Walk 5.9mi to Sts Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. Pray the Rosary for CA on the Golden Gate Bridge.
10:30am Walk 2 blocks to arrive at the National Shrine of St Francis.
11:00am Walk 2mi to the Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption. Good Friday confessions are normally 11:30-12:30pm.
12:30pm Walk 1.5mi to Mission Basilica San Francisco
1:00pm Walk to Mission San Francisco de Asis. Pilgrim Stations of the Cross inside Mission San Francisco de Asis
2:00pm Prayer and Music in the Cathedral
3:00pm Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord
Holy Week Pilgrimage Concludes.
Pilgrim cars are already in the Mission Basilica parking lot. Carpool to collect the pilgrim vehicles at the Golden Gate H Dana Bowers Rest Area.