Hola from Barcelona! I’m working my way toward the Camino Primitivo.  Over the next month, I will be sharing a few highlights on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Here’s a roundup of Camino-related events and hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area for the month of May 2018.

Lake Merritt Walk
Saturday, May 5, 10:30 a.m.

Lake Merritt walk April 2018

This is an informal gathering that takes place on the first Saturday of the month, rain or shine. The group meets at the pergola on the east side of Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 10:30 a.m. and starts walking at 10:45 a.m. in a clockwise direction around the lake. It is a paved and level 3.3 mile walk and takes about an hour. Whether you’re a newbie or Camino veteran, everyone is welcome at these monthly walks.  RSVP not required, but if you’re on the NorCal Facebook group, join event to see who’s coming.

Directions: Take BART to the 19th Street or Lake Merritt Oakland stations and navigate your way to the Pergola. If you drive, make sure to give yourself enough time to find parking, as there are many activities on Saturday mornings in the area.

Please note that there will not be a presentation after the walk, but there will be an informal lunch in the area.

Silicon Valley Chapter Meet and Greet
Sunday, May 6 @ 3 p.m.

Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise
May 9 at 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Concord REI
Register online

Diablo Foothills Hike
Walnut Creek, California
Saturday, May 19, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Looking to do some Camino training? Curious what a 20“k” (kilometer) day is like? How about testing out your pole skills? Then this hike might be for you. Starting in Shell Ridge Open Space, we’ll take the Briones to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail and skirt through Diablo Foothills Regional Park before entering Mt. Diablo State Park. Sticking to the foothills, we’ll tackle a series of “up & downs” with elevation gains of up to 500 feet, covering about 11 miles. After lunch, we’ll loop back with a visit to Old Borges Ranch.

Led by NorCal Chapter Coordinator Guy Joaquin.

See more details on the APOC NorCal Chapter page:
http://www.americanpilgrims.org/northern-california-chapter

Silicon Valley Chapter Hike at Huddart Park
Saturday, May 19 @ 9 a.m.

Camino Happy Hour at Pizza Antica + Optional Pre-Walk
Thursday, May 24 at 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Join Guy Joaquin and other pilgrims at Happy Hour at Pizza Antica in downtown Lafayette. Their front patio will be ideal for the sunny and warm weather is forecasted.

Here’s the Happy Hour menu with small bites and drink specials (http://www.pizzaantica.com/happenings-lafayette/2016/12/28/happy-hour). Pro Tip: One of their small pizzas off the main menu with a “glass of” makes a perfect meal-for-one.

Pizza Antica is less than a half-mile walk from the Lafayette BART station.

If you’d like to work up an appetite first, join us for an easy stroll around the Lafayette Reservoir before heading over to Pizza Antica. We’ll stick to the relatively flat, paved Lakeside Nature Trail (2.7 miles). Meet us at the east end of the parking lot (to the left as you face the reservoir). We’ll set off at 3:00 PM sharp and walk in a clockwise direction (if you miss us, you can walk counter-clockwise to meet up). Metered parking at the reservoir is $1.50 per hour (quarters only or credit cards accepted), 2 hours max (enough for the walk). All-day parking is $7. For extra pilgrim points, walk from the Lafayette BART station (~1.5 miles). Exit the station to Mt. Diablo Blvd. and turn right. Continue straight on Mt. Diablo Blvd. and turn left into the Lafayette Reservoir entrance. (There is a fairly steep climb up to the parking lot.)

Thank you for your RSVP to help with planning. RSVP at:
https://www.facebook.com/events/134658617394064/

Because the Bay Area has so many great restaurants, we like the idea of trying a different one each month. If you have a recommendation for the next Happy Hour, please share! “BARTable” is a plus!

SAVE THE DATE:

4^th Annual Lake Tahoe Pilgrim’s Rendezvous
July 20 – 22, 2018  

I’m sharing an event hosted by Camino friends Dave Jennings and Monica Armanino.  An open invitation to Pilgrims, both those who have walked a Camino to Santiago de Compostela, and those planning to walk a Camino in the near future.

Join Dave and Monica for a weekend of hiking, and experience or rekindle the ‘SPIRIT’ of the Camino de Santiago. All amidst the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevadas.  Share Camino experiences, community meals, Pilgrim Mass, Camp-out in the pristine mountain setting at 8900 ft. on Mt. Rose (North Lake Tahoe), or enjoy the hospitality of a veteran Pilgrim’s home.  A heart and mind altering experience. Limited group, reserve early. There is no charge, like much of the Camino it is all Donativo.

For information, full schedule, and reservations contact:
David Jennings – Cbellasail@sbcglobal or (530) 412-0144  

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 patch

The rainbow shell design was inspired by the concept of chakras. Learn more.
Purchase for $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.  Purchases help to defray the costs of hosting and managing this blog so that I can keep sharing the Camino love!