Camino and Hiking Events in August 2017

Below is the roundup of Camino related events and hikes in the SF Bay Area for the month of August 2017. On Sat. August 5th, I will be presenting about the Camino Inglés after the monthly Lake Merritt walk and brunch. 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.

Lake Merritt Walk, Bunch and Camino Inglés Presentation Oakland
Saturday, August 5, 10:30 am – 2 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 at Barlago Italian Kitchen. This month, Laurie Ferris, NorCal APOC chapter steering committee member, will be presenting about the Camino Inglés immediately after brunch in the private dining room for those who attend the brunch. Details and RSVP on NorCal Facebook Group. Space is limited, so please RSVP on the Facebook event or email me at laurie@caminoprovides.com.

If you are in the Bay Area, join the Peregrinos Northern California Facebook Group to get details on this and other events.

Angel Island Hike
Saturday, August 19th, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm

Join us for beautiful vistas of the San Francisco Bay Area as we hike the five-mile loop trail around historic Angel Island. This is a moderate hike with just 400 feet of elevation gain, but brings us to the former Immigration Station, the so-called “Ellis Island of the West,” and various Army installations that were active from the Civil War through the Cold War.

Dress for the weather (layers work well) and bring a bag lunch, water, hat, sunscreen and your phone/camera. Walking poles will be helpful, but not required on this path. If you are yet to experience the Camino, bring your questions so you can get advice from seasoned pilgrims. Led by Rob Nickerson, chapter steering committee member. No RSVP required. Just meet us at the ferry landing on Angel Island at 10:30 AM.

GETTING THERE (by ferry)

FROM SF to Angel Island, Blue & Gold Fleet, http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com/

* Ferry Building: Depart 9:15 AM (Adult $19.50, Senior 65+ $11)
* Pier 41: Depart 9:45 AM (same prices as above)
* Angel Island: Arrive 10:10 AM

Prices are the round-trip total (one-way tickets are sold so buy two to save time) and include the Angel Island State Park admission fee. If you purchase your tickets online, print and bring your confirmation. If you start at the Ferry Building, exchange it for your boarding pass on the ferry. Otherwise, purchase them on board. If you start at Pier 41, go to the Blue & Gold box office to purchase or exchange your confirmation for the boarding pass if you purchase online.

FROM OAKLAND or ALAMEDA to Pier 41 (SF), San Francisco Bay Ferry,http://sanfranciscobayferry.com/

* Oakland Terminal: Depart 8:55 AM (Adult $13.60/cash $10.20/Clipper, Senior 65+ $6.80)
* Alameda Terminal: Depart 9:10 AM (same prices as above)
* Pier 41: Arrive 9:40 AM

Prices are the round-trip total and tickets purchased onboard. They DO NOT include the Angel Island State Park admission fee. At Pier 41, the ferry stops at the Blue & Gold Fleet dock. Transfer to the Blue & Gold Fleet ferry (Depart 9:45 AM) to Angel Island. You will need to purchase a separate, round-trip ticket from the Blue & Gold Fleet box office for Angel Island with the admission fee. Per the San Francisco Bay Ferry, there is enough time to make the transfer, but be advised of the short window (officially 5 minutes) and if concerned, consider starting from San Francisco.

The Oakland terminal is located at the west end of Jack London Square near 10 Clay Street. Riders receive up to 12 hours free validated parking in the garage at 101 Washington St. Validate parking tickets at the ferry terminal. The Alameda terminal is located at 2990 Main Street. Free parking is available in an adjacent parking lot.

Service from Vallejo to Pier 41 is available, also from the San Francisco Bay Ferry. See their web site for details. However, service from Larkspur on the Golden Gate Ferry does not begin early enough.

FROM TIBURON to Angel Island, Angel Island Tiburon Ferry, http://angelislandferry.com/

* Tiburon Terminal: Depart 10:00 AM (Adult $15, Senior 65+ $14)
* Angel Island: Arrive 10:15 AM

Prices are round-trip and include the Angel Island State Park admission fee. Purchase tickets on board. Cash or check only. No credit or Clipper cards.

The Tiburon terminal is located at 21 Main Street. Here are driving directions (http://angelislandferry.com/directions/) and parking information (http://angelislandferry.com/parking-information/).

We’ll finish up in time to take the last ferry back to SF that departs at 4:25 PM and arrives at Pier 41 at 5:30 PM. Those returning to Tiburon have more options with the last departure at 5:20 PM.

ANGEL ISLAND SUMMIT OPTION: Depending on time and interest, a break out group will hike up to the top of Angel Island at Mt. Livermore (788 feet).

POST-HIKE HAPPY HOUR: If time permits before the ferry trip back, we’ll stop by the Angel Island Café for drinks and live music.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: 1A (less than 6 miles, less than 1,000 ft elevation gain)

Poles for Pilgrims: Using Poles for Hiking, Walking & Outdoor Exercise
Pacifica, California
Sunday, August 20, 8:30 AM

Jayay’s Poles Class in April, 2017

Join fitness and wellness educator, Jayah Faye Paley, for a fun and interactive hiking poles class, designed specifically to help Camino de Santiago pilgrims prepare for and more fully enjoy the journey.

Using poles optimally will significantly assist in your journey as well as local adventures.

Learning to use poles optimally means getting all the benefits without stress or strain (which can occur in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and tension in the hands can go into your neck).

Get more power and endurance on the uphill easier
Save your knees on the downhill
Discover how to recruit your core muscles to help preserve your joints!
Improve posture, spine function, balance, upper body strength and performance AND confidence on the trail

A variety of top-quality poles will be provided so you can explore which poles fit you best and help you achieve your hiking, walking and travel goals. You can also bring your own poles.

Beat the heat and meet in Pacifica where you’ll get outfitted and cover some basics. Then hit the trail and practice skills and techniques on a beautiful coastal hike over varied terrain. (Whale sightings not guaranteed.) If you bring your Camino backpack, we’ll include a session on pack fit.

Class Details

Date: Sunday, August 20
Time: 8:30 AM to approx. 2:30 PM
Location: 180 San Jose Avenue in Pacifica
Cost: $35

How to Sign Up: Send an email to Seminar@AdventureBuddies.net and include any concerns and/or body issues in your message. Once you receive your confirmation email and info letter, send your payment of $35 in the form of a check payable to Jayah Faye Paley to 180 San Jose Avenue, Pacifica, CA 94044.

Because this training is based out of Jayah’s home, the class size is limited to 8. This small group format allows Jayah to cater the learning so that each individual has the opportunity to receive some personalized instruction. First come, first served. Please register at your earliest convenience to secure your spot in this extremely limited-participation training session.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you’re not completely happy, you will get a full refund of the class fee.

For more information about Jayah and other class options, visit Poles for Mobility.

Please note that this event is not organized, endorsed or sponsored by American Pilgrims on the Camino; it is only being shared with you on a one-time basis because we believe it might be of interest to you as a pilgrim.

I took Jayah's class before my first Camino and learned how to select, hold, and use trekking poles. This lesson was extremely valuable and helped me stay injury free on my Caminos.

Jayah, pictured above, brings different types of poles for you to try during the workshop. I took her class before my first Camino and learned how to properly hold and use trekking poles. This lesson was extremely valuable and helped me stay injury free on my Caminos.

Hospitalero Training
August 25 – 27, Los Altos

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

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.

I’ll be rolling out my posts in August. Follow this blog and check Camino Ingles Stages for updates. I have been sharing a photo a day on Instagram too! Instagram.com/caminoprovides #caminoinglésphotochallenge/

Get your Camino Provides 2017 patch before they’re gone. The theme this year is LOVE. The rainbow design was inspired by chakras, love, peace, and pride. $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.