Below is the roundup of Camino related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of July 2017. But first, I had a wonderful time on the Camino Inglés and will be writing my route reports soon. Part of the joy of “unpacking” my Camino is going through the many photos and compiling my notes so that my reports might be helpful for pilgrims considering this route. I enjoyed every step of the Camino Inglés and look forward to sharing the highlights and lessons learned.
Monthly Lake Merritt Walk & Brunch in Oakland
Saturday, July 1, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
A walk around Lake Merritt in Oakland is held every first Saturday of the month, at 10:30 am starting at the Pergola. Afterwards, there is an optional brunch in the area. Details and RSVP on NorCal Facebook Group. If you are in the Bay Area, join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook Group to get details on this and other events.
Free Oakland Hiking Tour on July 4th
Join us on a holiday hike from Oakland’s Dimond District up to Joaquin Miller Park, where we’ll catch AC Transit 339 for a ten-minute bus ride back down to Dimond. This beautiful hike will go through Oakland’s Dimond Canyon and Joaquin Miller Park, and will finish with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. Hikers may choose to catch earlier buses at miles 4 and 5, though the hiking tour leaders will complete the 7-mile hike.
When: Tuesday, July 4 at 8:30am (the group will leave promptly at 8:40am)
Where: Meet at La Farine Bakery: 3411 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94602 – free parking in back
Details: Steady, 7-mile hike in Oakland’s largest wildland trail system, with some steep uphills and downhills, and narrow trails through the canyons. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and bus fare ($2.10).
“From right here in the heart of urban Oakland, we’re connected to a trail system that spans the entire East Bay. You could hike for days and days.”..—Stan Dodson, Tour Leader
I went on this hike in January and LOVED it! So did my dog. It makes for great Camino training. Here’s a little highlight video I made.
Camino de Oakland: Rockridge to West Oakland Walk
Saturday, July 8, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Join us for this “Camino de Oakland” and get to know many of the city’s bustling neighborhoods and points of interest. Starting at the Rockridge BART station in North Oakland, we’ll make our way south through the Piedmont Avenue neighborhood and then skirt the Uptown area over to Lake Merritt. We’ll follow most of the lakeside path used in our monthly Lake Merritt walks, but with a side trip to the Grand Lake Farmers Market (said to be the best in the East Bay) to stop for lunch. After the break, we’ll continue around the lake down to Jack London Square for a waterfront promenade. And before ending at the West Oakland BART station, we’ll stop in at Campovida Winery’s Taste of Place for a tasting. Prefer hops to grapes? Old Kan Beer is right next door.
Like the Richmond to Rockridge Walk last year, this is a BART station-to-station walk making getting there and back a cinch. Park at the Rockridge station and take the train back from West Oakland at the end OR park at the West Oakland station and take the train to Rockridge to start the walk. (Adult Fare: $1.95 one-way, free weekend parking at both stations)
Meet us by 9:30 AM for sign-in and briefing outside the Rockridge BART station at the bottom of the main entrance stairs/escalator (in front of the Rockridge sign in the event photo). Early birds can fuel up nearby at Market Hall on the corner of College and Keith Avenues. Total distance is about 10 miles (on sidewalks and paved paths) with 128 feet of elevation gain. We expect to arrive at the West Oakland BART station around 4:30 PM. Open to all (members and non-members). Led by chapter coordinator, Guy Joaquin. Rain or shine.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, snacks, a bag lunch (or purchase in Rockidge prior to the walk or at the farmers market) and sun protection. Cash might be helpful for market purchases. The walk is flat so good walking shoes will be sufficient. Hiking poles are not necessary. New and returning pilgrims: Bring your questions!
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 3A (10 to less than 15 miles, less than 1,000 ft elevation gain)
4th Annual Lake Tahoe Pilgrim Rendezvous
CANCELLED DUE to snow levels in the Sierra Nevada
Incline Village/Mt. Rose, Nevada at N. Lake Tahoe
Friday, July 21 – Sunday, July 23
Last Call for Pilgrim Campers!
Our friends up in Tahoe are hosting this annual get-together on Mt. Rose (above Incline Village). The event always follows the classic pilgrim recipe of delicious food (and wine), great camaraderie and spectacular hiking. To reserve or if you have any questions, please email Barbara Longshore (event organizer) directly at blongsh47@yahoo.com.
An open invitation to pilgrims, both those who have walked the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela and those who are planning to walk. Learn more at:
4th Annual Lake Tahoe Pilgrim Rendezvous.
Please note that this event is not organized, endorsed or sponsored by American Pilgrims on the Camino; it is only being shared with you because we believe it might be of interest to you as a pilgrim.
CANCELLED
ST. JAMES DAY CELEBRATION
San Francisco, California
Saturday, July 29, 12:00 PM
Help us celebrate St. James Day (a tad late this year – officially, it’s July 25) with a walk in San Francisco along the bay that ends at the St. James Catholic Church (http://www.saintjameschurchsf.org) in the Mission District. Starting at the Ferry Building, we’ll head south along The Embarcadero and around the ball park to rapidly-changing Mission Bay (new home to the Warriors in 2019). From there, we’ll skirt Potrero Hill up to the Mission and check out the murals along Clarion Alley (http://clarionalleymuralproject.org) (one of the artists may meet us for a talk – fingers crossed) and The Women’s Building (https://womensbuilding.org/the-mural) before ending at the church on 23rd and Guerrero. For those interested, there is a vigil mass that starts at 4:15 PM. RSVP required (see below for instructions).
Meet us at the San Francisco Ferry Building by the Mahatma Gandhi statue (https://goo.gl/maps/QTeuKsDj3bz) on the waterfront for check-in and briefing by 12:00 PM. You’re encouraged to arrive early and have lunch on your own in the area or bring a bag lunch to eat before the meeting time. Total distance is about 6 miles (on sidewalks and paved paths) with an elevation gain of 187 feet. We expect to finish the walk by 4:00 PM. Open to all. Led by chapter members, Sue López and Merula Furtado. Rain or shine.
RSVP REQUIRED. To help us with planning, use our online RSVP page at https://goo.gl/forms/WWEr92HS1dCaIlO42 to respond by Thursday, July 27. Please, responses via the RSVP page only.
GETTING TO THE FERRY BUILDING: Take BART (https://www.bart.gov) to the Embarcadero station. Exit to Market Street and walk east towards the bay and cross The Embarcadero to the Ferry Building. Go through the building via the main entrance to the waterfront promenade and take a right. The Mahatma Gandhi statue (https://goo.gl/maps/QTeuKsDj3bz) will be on your left by the ferry terminals. From Marin, bus service is available to downtown San Francisco (Golden Gate and Marin Transits). Within San Francisco, Muni is also an option, of course.
GETTING TO/BACK FROM THE CHURCH: Use the 24th Street Mission BART station (https://goo.gl/maps/2Y5z2PhC98U2), which is a half mile away.
WHAT TO BRING: A day pack with water, snacks and a bag lunch to eat prior to the meeting time or have lunch nearby e.g., in the Ferry Building (https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/merchants). A light jacket or sweater (it will be summer in San Francisco after all). The walk is flat so good walking shoes will be sufficient. Hiking poles are not necessary.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 2A (6 to less than 10 miles, less than 1,000 ft elevation gain)
SAVE THE DATE:
August 25-27: Hospitalero training through American Pilgrims on the Camino at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos. This is a wonderful opportunity to say thank you to the Camino by serving as a volunteer albergue host. I participated in this training in February and I highly recommend it for those who would like to serve as a volunteer on the Camino. Visit the American Pilgrims Hospitaleros page for details.
Camino Francés 2017 Route Report – It’s a wrap!
Santa Cruz couple Cathy Seitchik Diaz and David Stewart recently completed their third Camino Francés. They have shared the stages the Camino Francés, complete with daily distances, photos, observations and useful tips – in a four-part series. See
- Camino Francés Part 1 – Days 1-12
- Camino Francés Part 2 – Days 13-23
- Camino Francés Part 3 – Days 24 – 33
- Camino Francés Part 4 – Days 34 – 40
Cathy is, quite possibly, the world’s happiest pilgrim! You can find other Camino routes linked under the Route Reports drop-down menu, and on the Camino Routes page.
If you are planning to walk a Camino this year, check out the new Camino Provides 2017 patch. The theme this year is LOVE. The rainbow design was inspired by chakras, love, peace, and pride. Just $4 each at etsy.com/shop/caminoprovides.
My mission is to celebrate the Camino de Santiago and the pilgrim’s journey, from the Calling to Compostela and beyond. I do this by sharing informative tips on training, gear, and routes; by promoting Camino related events in the Bay Area; by interviewing pilgrims and sharing inspiring stories; and by curating content relevant to the Camino. Purchase help to defray the costs of hosting and managing this blog so that I can keep sharing the Camino love!
There are always opportunities to train for or learn about the Camino. If you know of any Camino related events for the SF Bay Area that should be included in the monthly roundup, please use the comment form below, or email me.
For those who live elsewhere, there are Camino hotspots all over the USA and the American Pilgrims on the Camino (APOC) website has a listing of local chapters where you can find Camino events. There are also many active Facebook groups to learn about events in your region. Check your local REI store for workshops and presentations about the Camino. Check http://www.rei.com/ for events in your area.
Visit the Northern California Chapter page on the APOC website.
Join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook group (closed group for Northern California residents only)
Buen Camino!
The Camino Provides 
This information on Bay Area Camino activities is excellently displayed (and written)–a real service to local Pilgrims. Thank you.
Mary O’Hara Wyman–Grandma’s on the Camino
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Hi Mary,
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad you find the info useful. Hope to meet you in person at one of these events! 🙂
Laurie
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Dear Laurie,
I lovvvvve your Camino Ingles Photos and your Santiago Photo. YOU are just the BEST!! All this you do for us Pilgrims.We are lucky!! Hugs!!!! Cathy
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Thanks Cathy!
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