Hiking and Cycling the California Missions Trail

Overview map

Overview profile Mission Sonoma to Mission San Diego

Map key

Route summary table

Introduction

California's natural history

The era of Native peoples

Spanish exploration on the West Coast of North America

Missionaries, soldiers, and settlers bring an ecological upheaval

The mission era

The Mexican era

The Early American period: gold rush, land rush-and genocide

A multicultural California emerges

A new walking and cycling route features California history

Planning your walk or ride

Northbound or southbound?

Where to begin and how to get there and back

When to go

Walking or cycling the route

Where to stay

Where to eat

How much money should I budget?

How do I secure my credential?

Tips for making the most of your walk

Topography of the route

Training for your walk or ride

What to pack

Health and well-being

How to use this guide

Route summary information

Route descriptions

Maps

App, GPX tracks, and accommodation downloads

Bay Area section: Sonoma to Santa Cruz

Prologue Sonoma, California

Stage 1 Mission Sonoma to Mission San Rafael

Stage 2 Mission San Rafael to Mission San Francisco

Stage 3 Mission San Francisco to Mission San Jos&##xe9;

Stage 4 Mission San Jos&##xe9; to Mission Santa Clara

Stage 5 Mission Santa Clara to Mission Santa Cruz

North Central Coast section: Santa Cruz to San Miguel

Stage 6 Mission Santa Cruz to Mission San Juan Bautista

Stage 7 Mission San Juan Bautista to Mission Carmel

Stage 8 Mission Carmel to Mission Soledad

Stage 9 Mission Soledad to Mission San Antonio

Stage 10 Mission San Antonio to Mission San Miguel

South Central Coast section: San Miguel to Ventura

Stage 11 Mission San Miguel to Mission San Luis Obispo

Stage 12 Mission San Luis Obispo to Mission La Purisima

Stage 13 Mission La Purisima to Mission Santa In&##xe9;s

Stage 14 Mission Santa In&##xe9;s to Mission Santa Barbara

Stage 15 Mission Santa Barbara to Mission San Buenaventura

South Coast section: Ventura to San Diego

Stage 16 Mission San Buenaventura to Mission San Fernando Rey

Stage 17 Mission San Fernando Rey to Mission San Gabriel

Stage 18 Mission San Gabriel to Mission San Juan Capistrano

Stage 19 Mission San Juan Capistrano to Mission San Luis Rey

Stage 20 Mission San Luis Rey to Mission San Diego

Appendix A Stage planning table

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Missions, historical locations, state and national parks

Appendix D Bibliography