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Our pilgrimage begins as we touch down this morning at the San Diego Airport. We collect our baggage and belongings and are greeted in the arrivals hall by our Canterbury tour manager who remains with us every step along our way. We board our private motor coach and arrive at our first stop, Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá, the first of the 21 California Missions. We participate in Mass and a tour of the beautiful Mission church and grounds. Our day continues at the Mission San Luis Rey de Francía, known as “King of The Missions”, because of its size, population and crop production.
Overnight in Carlsbad (Dinner)
Start the day with breakfast at our hotel. We set off to visit Mission San Juan Capistrano where we have the opportunity to pray inside the Serra Chapel. Built in 1782, the Serra Chapel is the oldest standing building in all of California. We take time to stop for lunch and leisure time on our own in Laguna Beach, a small coastal city known for its many art galleries, coves and beaches. Later this afternoon we proceed to visit and celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, where Sunday Mass is celebrated in 42 different languages. We enjoy dinner together tonight at arrive at our hotel.
Overnight Los Angeles (Breakfast & dinner)
After breakfast this morning, we continue on our journey, stopping to visit and celebrate Mass at the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, now reopened after suffering serious fire damage in 2020. We continue our day with time for lunch on our own, before making a visit to the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission Santa Bárbara, the only mission to have remained in Franciscan custody since its founding date. Before leaving Santa Barbara, we take time to appreciate its lovely shops and streets, enjoying lunch on our own and a little time for exploration. Later, we proceed to Solvang, a Danish town where the old-world charm of Northern Europe meets the blue skies of Southern California. Upon arrival, we enjoy a smörgåsbord, a Scandinavian buffet-style meal at a traditional Danish restaurant.
Overnight in Solvang (Breakfast & Dinner)
We enjoy breakfast at our hotel. From here we journey north to visit and celebrate Mass at the Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, the 13th California Mission, founded in 1791, nestled in the heart of the wine country known as the Santa Lucia Highlands. We continue north to visit Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo. St. Junípero Serra is entombed beneath the sanctuary of this mission church. Here we view his sarcophagus, see his room where he passed away in 1784, and view several of his vestments.
Overnight Monterey
After breakfast at our hotel, we’re off to our next visit in Santa Clara, the Mission Santa Clara de Asís, located in the heart of Santa Clara University. Next we visit the Mission San Francisco de Asís, the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco. Mass will be celebrated here. We cap the day with dinner in the Pier 39 area of San Francisco and explore its many sights and shops.
Overnight San Francisco (Breakfast & Dinner)
Breakfast at our hotel is followed by a pleasant drive to the famed Sonoma Wine Region, where the vineyards are tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Mayacamas Mountains. Our first stop is the Mission San Rafael for Mass. We’ll continue on to the beautiful Cline Cellars, a family-owned Napa winery located on the original Sonoma Mission site. Here we learn about the history of the property, see the Barrel Room, and visit the California Missions Museum which hosts miniature to-scale models of all 21 missions. We have lunch on our own and continue to the last of the originally established California Missions, Mission San Francisco Solano, located across from the site of the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt.
Overnight San Francisco (Breakfast & dinner)
After breakfast, we make our way to the Mission San Rafael for Mass. With a renewed sense of pilgrimage and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we head to the San Francisco Airport to board our plane for the return flight home.
(Breakfast)
