California Coast Pilgrimage

California Coast Pilgrimage involves walking up the coast of California from the border of Mexico to the
border of Oregon. In order to make it a West Coast Pilgrimage I will include Oregon and Washington to
the border of Canada. California will be the starting point of my pilgrimage and planning, and likely occur
on the weekends in sections that take anywhere from 4-8 hours of time to walk to the next destination.
Destinations will include state parks, campgrounds, beaches, and the numerous retreat centers running
up and down the coast of California. There are Catholic retreat centers, Indian Yoga retreat centers or
Ashrams, and others which I have probably yet to discover but will add to the list. I want to make my
walks as much about the journey as the destination, but to have a unique destination and perhaps even
spiritual magnetism of place to unwind at, recharge at, and journey inward at. I was inspired by the
writings of Paulo Coelho who wrote, The Pilgrimage regarding his walk on the Camino de Santiago in
Spain and another book The Alchemist about a young mans journey to self-discovery. I thought how
intriguing it would be to have such a journey in California along our sacred power sites, much as those
written about by Martin Gray in Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power. There are many along our
coast, but there are also some inland, such as the famed Mt. Shasta. Then there are those of personal
importance to me. Upon meeting the monks at Lingyen Mountain Temple, in Etiwanda, CA, I also
discovered they have a temple in Canada. I thought how intriguing it would be to walk the distance
between the two temples along the Pacific Crest Trail. There are also local Prayer Caves that I became
aware of along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Cahon Pass area, and if one considers hot springs to be of
potential significance as an area high in energetic forces, then Deep Creek Hot Springs is another point
of interest. California is a place that could become a powerful pilgrimage destination much as the
pilgrimages into Jerusalem, Rome, and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in
northwestern Spain. There are many other pilgrimage sites around the world and places of power, but
we really dont have to cross the entire world when such places are right in our own backyard (unless of
course we want to or feel drawn to such and such a place).
CALIFORNIA COAST PILGRIMAGE
Start at:
1.) Tijuana River Estuary (23 miles/7hrs 27 min. to):
2.) Spiritual Ministry Retreat Center - founded in 1987 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, an
international congregation of Catholic women, serving in 45 countries. In accompanying
retreatants and facilitating retreats in a myriad of ways, we come from a rich heritage of
tradition and an openness of spirit. Our charism is to discover and make known Gods love in our
world today. Our commitment to this ministry of spiritual direction and retreat work is rooted in
who we are.
3.) San Elijo State Beach Campground
4.) South Carlsbad State Beach Campground
5.) Self-Realization Fellowship (Encinitas Retreat, 215 K Street, Encinitas, California 92024-5040,
USA) At the Encinitas Retreat and Ashram Center, Paramahansa Yogananda lived for many years
and began the first SRF retreat program. It is beautifully situated high above the Pacific Ocean,

about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego. Reservations may be made from one to six days,
depending on availability. Check-in time is between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through
Thursday (arrivals at other times can usually be accommodated with prior arrangement).
Weekends (Friday to Sunday) are usually reserved as a unit, although retreatants may check in
prior to the weekend and stay into the following week. (15.8 mi./5hr 18min to:)
6.) Rosicrucian Fellowship (Retreat or visit?)
7.) Old Mission San Luis Rey (Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside,
CA 92057-6402). Founded in 1798, Old Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, known as the King of
the Missions, is a National Historic Landmark. The largest of all the 21 California missions, it is
home to a community of Franciscan Friars and is open daily to the public in the Franciscan
tradition of heritage and hospitality. Facilities include a Retreat Center with day and overnight
programs for spiritual renewal, multi-function meeting spaces, a Cemetery open to all people,
Mission Gift Shop, Historic Church and interpretive Museum. Mission San Luis Rey holds various
community fundraising events throughout the year to support the preservation of the Mission.
8.) San Clemente State Beach Campground; San Mateo Campground
9.) Doheney State Beach Campground
10.) Crystal Cove State Park Campground (The park is located off Pacific Coast Highway between
Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach.)
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/644/files/CrystalCoveMoroCampMap2011Rev.pdf
11.) Uncles House in Long Beach; or Bolsa Chica State Beach Campground (Aquarium of the Pacific;
Queen Mary)
12.) Rancho Palos Verdes Lighthouse; Manhattan Beach Pier and Free Roundhouse Aquarium
13.) Lake Shrine Retreat (17190 Sunset Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, California 90272, USA)
Reservations may be made for one to six days, depending upon availability. Check-in time is
between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday (the 5:00 check-in on Friday allows time
for a light meal before attending the evening meditation at the Lake Shrine Temple). Checkout
for weekend retreats is Sunday afternoon. The retreat is closed Mondays. The Lake Shrine
Retreat is closed for the weeks of Convocation (held each summer in Los Angeles) and Christmas.
Reservations for the weeks before and after Convocation are usually limited to just a few days
and are reserved for those coming from long distances. For reservations, please contact the
Lake Shrine Retreat: Telephone: (310) 459-4740
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, Tuesday through Saturday
FAX: (310) 459-8716 (available 24 hours a day)
Email: lsretreat@yogananda-srf.org
14.) Serra Retreat (3401 Serra Rd. Malibu, CA 90265)
Serra Retreat sits atop a 26 acre knoll in beautiful Malibu with views of the Pacific Ocean as well
as the Santa Monica Mountains. There are paths and walkways with benches for our guests to
read, meditate, and enjoy the manicured gardens. The Center has two large conference rooms:
one accommodates between 25 and 35 people, and the other accommodates between 35 and
120. In addition there are two smaller meeting rooms. There are 60 fully furnished bedrooms
that can accommodate 120 people. The Retreat Dining Room offers a sparkling sweep of the
ocean, less than a mile away. The Chapel, which can seat 120, is especially breath-taking with
panoramic views.

Personal Retreats
With a request at least 3 weeks prior, individual, personal retreats on weekdays and weekends
are always welcome. If spiritual counseling is desired, Serra Retreat will try to provide Spiritual
Direction.
15.) Point Mugu State Park (9000 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265)
Point Mugu State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, features five miles of ocean
shoreline, with rocky bluffs, sandy beaches, sand dunes, rugged hills and uplands, two major
river canyons and wide grassy valleys dotted with sycamores, oaks and a few native walnuts.
There are more than 70 miles of hiking trails. The beach also features swimming, body surfing
and surf fishing. The park includes the jagged pinnacles of the Boney Mountains State
Wilderness Area.
16.) Carpinteria State Beach, Carpinteria, CA 93013
17.) Mount Calvary Monastery and Retreat House, Santa Barbara
St Mary's Retreat House
505 E Los Olivos St
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Our suggested donations:
Weekdays (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) $100.00/night/person
Weekend (Friday-Saturday) $225.00/weekend/person
Clergy/Student $80.00/night/person
This includes all meals and linens.
The deposit is $50.00 and is non refundable.
18.) Refugio and El Capitan State Beach (near Solvang Dutch Village)
19.) Point Conception (Lighthouse)
20.) Jalama Beach State Park
21.) Avila/Pismo Beach KOA 7075 Ontario Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
a. North Beach Campground
b. Oceano Campground
22.) Montaa de Oro State Park, 3550 Pecho Valley Road, Los Osos, CA 93402
a. Islay Creek Campground
23.) Morro Strand State Park Campground
24.) Hearst San Simeon State Campground
a. San Simeon Creek Campground
b. Washburn Campground
25.) Plaskett Creek Campground, California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
26.) Kirk Creek Campground, California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
27.) New Camaldoli Hermitage (62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920-9533) (831) 667-2456
28.) Limekiln State Park Campgrounds
29.) Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, 47555 California 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
30.) Point Sur Lighthouse
More to follow