California Missions Pilgrimage with Fr. Robert Leto

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. We arrive at our hotel later this afternoon for rest before dinner.

Overnight in Carlsbad (Dinner)

Start the day with breakfast at our hotel. Next we’ll visit the Mission San Luis Rey de Francía, known as “King of The Missions”, because of its size, population and crop production. Mass will be celebrated here before 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 this afternoon for lunch and leisure on our own in Laguna Beach, a small coastal city known for its many art galleries, coves and beaches. We enjoy dinner together tonight and arrive at our hotel.

Overnight in Carlsbad (Breakfast & Dinner)

After breakfast this morning, we continue 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 St. Michael’s Abbey, a Norbertine monastery tucked beside the Silverado Canyon. Mass will be celebrated at the Abbey. We’ll enjoy dinner afterwords and return to our hotel for the night.

Overnight in Los Angeles (Breakfast & Dinner)

Following breakfast we head north to visit 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, Mass will be celebrated at the Mission Santa Inés. Tonight we’ll 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 San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the 5th mission which was founded by St. Junipero himself. The area was dubbed by earlier hunters the ‘Canyon of the Bears’ and when food began to run low at other missions, St. Junipero sent a hunting mission to the area to test the legend. The mission was a huge success and Mission San Luis Obispo was founded. From here we journey north to visit 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

Overnight Monterey (Breakfast & Dinner)

After having breakfast this morning, we’ll make a visit to the 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. We’ll drive north and take time for lunch in Santa Cruz, followed by a visit and Mass at the Mission Santa Cruz, founded by Fr. Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, the successor of St. Junipero Serra. We’ll return to Monterey in time for dinner.

Overnight Monterey (Breakfast & Dinner)

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’ll complete the day with dinner followed by a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to arrive at our hotel.

Overnight San Rafael (Breakfast & Dinner)

Breakfast at our hotel is followed by a pleasant drive through the famed Sonoma Wine Region, where the vineyards are tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Mayacamas Mountains. Our final mission visit will be at the Mission San Rafael Arcángel for Mass. Known as the “Mission of Healing,” this mission was originally founded as a hospital. We’ll have lunch at leisure followed by time on our own to visit the beautiful Cline Cellars, a family-owned Napa winery located on the original Sonoma Mission site. We’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner this evening.

Overnight San Rafael (Breakfast & Dinner)

After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and visit a local Catholic parish for Mass. Following Mass, we’ll make our way to the San Francisco airport. With a renewed sense of pilgrimage and an invigorated love of our Catholic faith, we board our plane for the return flight home.

(Breakfast)