CONTENTS
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 Spanish 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—a year-round itinerary
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
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 José
Stage 4 Mission San José 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 Purísima
Stage 13 Mission La Purísima to Mission Santa Inés
Stage 14 Mission Santa Inés 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