San Francisco, CA: Northern California Chapter, St. James’ Day Walk

This year’s St. James’ Day walk gives you a chance to channel your inner hospitalero/a so you can finish your morning chores before joining us to celebrate Santiago with a leisurely afternoon stroll that starts at the Presidio and ends – where else? – our favorite tapas bar in the Mission.

This 7-mile walk will begin at the Presidio Transit Center (next to the new Presidio Tunnel Tops Park) — easily accessible via the free Presidio GO Shuttle from downtown San Francisco. We will stroll down to the magnificent Palace of Fine Arts, then make our way back to the Presidio and visit Yoda outside the Lucasfilm studio before snaking our way along the path bordered by artist Andy Goldsworthy’s “Wood Line” installation.

After leaving the Presidio, we will meander south through Alta Plaza Park (for stairs and fantastic views), Alamo Square (where we will pause for selfies with the iconic painted ladies of San Francisco), and Duboce Park (with happy, happy dogs) before finishing at our annual Mission neighborhood stop, Dolores Park.

Although past hikes have ended at the St. James Catholic Church for the pilgrim mass, sadly, that is no longer available. However, we will still recreate the Spirit of the Camino with that other important tradition – drinks and tapas to mark the end of a pilgrimage – at Esperpento Restaurant!

Schedule: Meet us at 1:00 PM at the Presidio Transit Center. With stops along the way, we expect to arrive at Dolores Park in the Mission by 5:30 PM. For those interested, we will continue on to Esperpento.

Level of Difficulty: Moderate. Total distance is about 7 miles and will involve some stairways. It’s important that you keep up with the group as there are several junctions along the route.

Advance online registration is required. Click the Register button to sign up. Because space is limited, we ask that you register if/when you are certain you can attend. Thank you!

Cancellation: Please email us at norcal@americanpilgrims.org so we can offer your space to someone else.

Getting There: We encourage all to use public transportation as both the start and end points are accessible by public transit. Take BART to the Embarcadero station and exit to street level. Walk to the bus stop at California and Drumm in front of the Hyatt (next to the cable car turnaround) and board the free Presidio GO Shuttle that goes to the Presidio Transit Center (takes about 25 minutes). Shuttles leave hourly on the half hour on weekends. The last shuttle to get to the Presidio on time leaves at 12:30 PM. If you need to drive, there is plenty of paid parking in the Presidio.

Getting Back: Use the 24th Street/Mission BART station (less than half a mile from Esperpento and about a mile from Dolores Park). If your car is at the Presidio, take an Uber/Lyft. (The last Presidio Go leaves at 5:30 PM from California and Drumm so, unfortunately, not an option.)

Carpooling: Registered participants will have access to an online “Carpool Bulletin Board” to post a message if they need a ride or can give one.

What to Bring: Day pack with water and snacks. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and a jacket or sweater even if it’s a sunny day as it is summer in San Francisco and it can be windy. Good hiking shoes are recommended and hiking poles if you need them (don’t forget the rubber tips). Plus, your Clipper card/app with sufficient funds, if you plan to ride BART or Muni.

Leaders: Sue Lopez and Merula Furtado

The Ruff Stuff: For insurance purposes, we are unable to welcome dogs, except service animals, at our events.