Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 — Arrival in San Francisco

The Catholic Gateway to California

Arrival in San Francisco, where our pilgrimage begins.

After meeting our local team, we transfer to our hotel and begin discovering one of America’s most distinctive cities.

Our panoramic introduction may include the Civic Center, Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Twin Peaks and views of the Golden Gate.

The spiritual beginning of our journey takes place at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, principal church of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

Here, whenever arrangements permit, we celebrate our opening Holy Mass, entrusting the days ahead to God.

The source itinerary similarly opens the pilgrimage with San Francisco sightseeing followed by Mass at the cathedral.

Welcome dinner and overnight in the San Francisco area.

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DAY 2 — St. Francis & California’s Northernmost Mission

San Francisco • Sonoma • San Francisco

Today begins with a distinctly Franciscan spirit.

We visit the Porziuncola Nuova, inspired by the small chapel of the Porziuncola in Assisi that became so important in the life of St. Francis.

The presence of this Franciscan sanctuary in San Francisco reminds us that the very name of the city preserves its Catholic origins.

We then cross the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge and travel through Marin County toward the celebrated wine country of Sonoma.

Our principal pilgrimage site is Mission San Francisco Solano, the northernmost of California’s historic Spanish missions and the final mission established in Alta California.

There will be time for prayer and, according to local arrangements, celebration of Holy Mass.

Depending upon the final program, time can also be incorporated to experience Sonoma’s vineyards and countryside before returning to San Francisco.

The source route connects the Porziuncola with Sonoma and Mission San Francisco Solano in this same way.

Dinner and overnight in the San Francisco area.

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DAY 3 — St. Francis • San Juan Bautista • Carmel

Toward St. Junípero Serra

This morning we visit the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco.

The shrine preserves relics associated with St. Francis, St. Clare and St. Anthony of Padua, giving us a beautiful Franciscan beginning to the day.

Whenever possible, we celebrate Holy Mass.

We then depart San Francisco and travel south toward Mission San Juan Bautista, one of the most atmospheric of California’s historic missions.

The mission complex preserves an unusually intact historic plaza and provides an excellent introduction to the daily life and architecture of the California mission period.

We continue toward beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea.

After time to enjoy the landscape and, depending on the final group program, a winery or culinary experience, we arrive at one of the most important Catholic sites in California:

Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo

Carmel Mission became the headquarters of St. Junípero Serra’s missionary work in California.

Here, beneath the sanctuary, rests his tomb.

For Catholic pilgrims, this becomes one of the defining moments of the journey.

We pray at the burial place of the Franciscan missionary whose life became inseparable from the establishment of the California missions.

The supplied itinerary likewise moves from the National Shrine of St. Francis through San Juan Bautista and Carmel, culminating at the tomb of St. Junípero Serra.

Continue toward San Luis Obispo.

Dinner and overnight in San Luis Obispo.

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DAY 4 — San Luis Obispo • Santa Barbara • Los Angeles

Along the Mission Road

After breakfast, we visit Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, founded during the early expansion of the California mission system.

We explore its historic church, gardens and museum, learning more about mission life and the development of the surrounding community.

Our journey then follows the California coast toward Santa Barbara.

Few missions capture the visual imagination quite like Old Mission Santa Barbara, with its Franciscan architecture, gardens and dramatic setting between the mountains and the Pacific.

We tour the mission and, whenever possible, celebrate Holy Mass.

The mission’s dedication recalls St. Barbara, an early Christian martyr traditionally remembered for her fidelity to Christ.

After our visit, we continue south toward Los Angeles.

The reference itinerary likewise links San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles on this stage.

Dinner and overnight in Los Angeles.

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DAY 5 — Catholic Los Angeles

Cathedral, Saints & the City of Angels

Today we discover the Catholic heart of one of America’s largest cities.

We begin at the striking Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, mother church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Here we visit the cathedral and have the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass, according to availability.

The cathedral preserves the relics of St. Vibiana, patroness of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as well as important devotional treasures.

After the spiritual portion of the day, we experience the cultural face of Los Angeles with a panoramic tour through areas such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard and the Walk of Fame.

The contrast is intentional.

Pilgrimage does not require us to ignore the world around us.

Rather, Catholic pilgrimage teaches us to see every place — including one of the great centers of global entertainment and popular culture — with new eyes.

The source itinerary also combines the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels with Hollywood and Beverly Hills on this day.

Dinner and overnight in Los Angeles.

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DAY 6 — Christ Cathedral & Carmelite Spirituality

Orange County • San Fernando

After breakfast, we travel toward Orange County and visit Christ Cathedral.

Originally constructed as the Crystal Cathedral, the building was later acquired and transformed for Catholic worship and today serves as the cathedral of the Diocese of Orange.

Its architecture makes it unlike almost any other Catholic cathedral in the United States.

Whenever local schedules allow, we celebrate Holy Mass.

Our pilgrimage then turns from monumental architecture to contemplative spirituality with a visit connected with the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

Their life and apostolate draw deeply from the spirituality of St. Teresa of Ávila and the Carmelite tradition.

We continue to Mission San Fernando Rey de España, another historic mission connected with the expansion of Catholicism through southern California.

The supplied itinerary likewise groups Christ Cathedral, the Carmelite Sisters and Mission San Fernando on this day.

Dinner and overnight in Los Angeles.

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DAY 7 — San Juan Capistrano • San Luis Rey • San Diego

The Jewel & the King of the Missions

Today we leave Los Angeles and continue south along the Pacific.

Our first pilgrimage destination is legendary Mission San Juan Capistrano, often called the “Jewel of the Missions.”

Its historic ruins, chapel, gardens and courtyards make it one of California’s most recognizable mission sites.

After time for prayer and exploration, we continue toward the coast with a stop around Dana Point.

Our next major pilgrimage site is Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, traditionally known as the “King of the Missions.”

Named in honor of St. Louis IX of France, this expansive mission complex offers another opportunity to encounter the Franciscan mission tradition.

When possible, we celebrate Holy Mass here before continuing south to San Diego.

The source program follows this same southbound progression from San Juan Capistrano to San Luis Rey and finally San Diego.

Dinner and overnight in San Diego.

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DAY 8 — Mission San Diego de Alcalá

Where the California Mission Story Began

Our final full day brings the pilgrimage to its historical beginning.

We visit:

Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcalá

Founded in 1769, San Diego de Alcalá was the first of the California missions established under the leadership of St. Junípero Serra.

For this reason, it is traditionally remembered as the Mother of the California Missions.

The route we have followed from north to south therefore concludes at the place where the mission story itself began.

Whenever possible, we celebrate our final Holy Mass here, giving thanks for the people, places and graces encountered throughout our pilgrimage.

The remainder of the day may include a panoramic introduction to San Diego, with areas such as Mission Bay and Balboa Park, followed by free time for rest, prayer or personal exploration.

The source itinerary likewise reserves the final pilgrimage day for San Diego and Mass at Mission San Diego de Alcalá.

Tonight we gather for our farewell dinner.

Overnight in San Diego.

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DAY 9 — Return Home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight home.

We leave California having discovered something many visitors never see.

Behind its modern cities and spectacular coastline lies a chain of churches, missions, saints and communities that tell part of the story of Catholicism in the United States.

Our pilgrimage ends, but its invitation remains:

to become missionaries ourselves — not necessarily by crossing frontiers, but by bringing Christ faithfully into the places where God has already planted us.

End of our services.

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St. Junípero Serra & the Meaning of the Missions

This section would be important on the PGT website because it gives the product a deeper spiritual identity.

St. Junípero Serra (1713–1784) was a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary whose work became central to the establishment of Catholic missions in Alta California.

The missions served religious, agricultural and civic functions and eventually became connected with the emergence of many modern Californian communities.

Their history is also complex.

The mission system existed within the broader Spanish colonial framework, and the experience of California’s Indigenous peoples included profound cultural disruption, disease, coercive structures and loss alongside religious encounter and conversion.

A Catholic pilgrimage should not need to hide from that complexity.

Instead, these places invite us to pray for everyone whose lives form part of their history and to consider the responsibilities that accompany evangelization.

The spiritual question is therefore not merely:

“How did Christianity arrive here?”

It is also:

“How are we called to witness to Christ today with truth, charity and respect for the dignity of every person?”