Walking ‘El Camino Real’: Pilgrims seek faith and history on mission trail

Long before the era of winding asphalt roads and cruising American cars, California’s longest highway, U.S. Route 101, had another name: “El Camino Real” — The Royal Road — christened to honor the Spanish monarchs who financed expeditions to the region as they sought to expand their impressive empire.

The 21 Catholic mission churches Spain planted from San Diego to Sonoma, beginning in 1769 and ending in 1823, are all located on or near Route 101 — and collectively, they represent one of the largest impacts of St. Francis of Assisi and his religious order upon the United States.

So during the Jubilee Year of St. Francis proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV — concluding Jan. 10, 2027 — California’s Historic Mission Trail holds obvious spiritual significance. But those who devotedly trek, study and preserve it also want potential pilgrims to know this: The invitation to visit has no expiration date.

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(Photo Credit: OSV News photo/courtesy Christian Clifford)