From January 23–31, Dave Whitson and I had the privilege of traveling the length of California — from Sacramento to San Diego — gathering with pilgrims, readers, and seekers for a series of conversations about the enduring power of walking pilgrimage.
Each stop reminded us of something we have long believed: the desire to step onto an ancient path is very much alive.
Perhaps even growing.
A Pilgrimage of Conversations
Our journey took us to communities across the state — Sacramento, Oakland, Pismo Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, Burbank, Mission Viejo, and San Diego — where we were welcomed by audiences whose curiosity and enthusiasm were unmistakable.
Rather than offering simple travel talks, we focused on the evolving landscape of pilgrimage itself.
Dave spoke compellingly about journeys beyond the Camino Francés, drawing from his extensive walks throughout the Italian peninsula. His message resonated deeply: while the Camino remains a treasured path, a wider pilgrimage world is opening to modern walkers — one rich with lesser-traveled routes, regional traditions, and profound opportunities for discovery.
For my part, I reflected on the changes I have witnessed along the Camino Francés since my first walk in 2008 — how the route has grown, how infrastructure has matured, and how the experience continues to adapt while preserving the mysterious qualities that draw pilgrims back generation after generation.
Again and again, the conversations circled back to a shared understanding:
Pilgrimage is not a trend.
It is a timeless human instinct.
An Enthusiastic Response
The warmth we encountered at each stop was deeply moving.
By the end of the tour, four of our twelve titles had completely sold out — a small but meaningful indicator of the hunger people feel to learn more, to prepare thoughtfully, and perhaps to imagine themselves on the road.
Yet what stayed with us most were not the numbers, but the personal exchanges afterward: stories quietly shared, long-held dreams voiced aloud, and the unmistakable sense that many are standing closer than ever to taking that first step.
A Visit with the Next Generation
One especially memorable moment came during our visit to Anacapa School, where Dave spoke with students about pilgrimage — not simply as a physical undertaking, but as a framework for growth, reflection, and courage.
Watching young people engage with the idea of pilgrimage was a powerful reminder that the call to journey is not limited by age. The impulse to seek meaning, challenge oneself, and step into the unknown often awakens earlier than we imagine.
If pilgrimage teaches us anything, it is that the journey begins long before the first mile.
Walking the Landscape Together
Between engagements, we were fortunate to spend time with the Santa Barbara County Trails Council, whose stewardship of local pathways reflects the same spirit of care that sustains great pilgrimage routes around the world.
One afternoon, we walked above the Carpinteria seal rookery, the Pacific stretching quietly to the horizon — a landscape that invited the same attentive presence the pilgrim path so often encourages.
Even on familiar ground, walking has a way of restoring perspective.
Perhaps that is part of its enduring magic.
What We Carried Home
As the tour drew to a close, one impression remained unmistakable:
People are ready to walk.
After years marked by disruption and uncertainty, many are searching for experiences that feel embodied, meaningful, and real. Pilgrimage — with its blend of simplicity and depth — continues to answer that longing in ways few modern pursuits can.
For Dave and me, this journey across California felt like a pilgrimage in its own right — not measured in miles, but in conversations, connections, and the shared hope of future roads.
If these gatherings revealed anything, it is this:
The next wave of pilgrims is already forming.
And we are honored to walk alongside them.
