California Mission Walkers Conference October 10th, 2026

by | Apr 5, 2026 | News

~ Artwork by Susie Kisling

 

California Mission Walkers
2026 Conference
Mission San Juan Bautista
Saturday, October 10th, 9 AM – 5 PM

This year’s conference theme is

The California Mission Walk: The Past Meets The Present 

Imagine.
The year was 1776, and after a long, arduous journey through harsh territory and terrain, extreme weather, illness, and multiple other hardships the travel-weary colonists of the 240-plus members of the Anza Expedition reached the top of the Gabilan Mountain Range overlooking the San Juan Valley. The stunning, expansive views below, ancestral lands of the Amah Mutsun (Ohlone) Peoples would be a perfect place to stop – to call home. But they were destined to settle further north in lands now known as San Francisco. So, the expedition continued onward.
The year was 1797, and Mission San Juan Bautista ~ The Mission of Music ~ was founded in that very valley the expedition passed by 23 years earlier. The mission period brought growth, a town evolved and flourished, and farmers and ranchers took advantage of the rich, fertile lands. By the mid to late 1800’s San Juan Bautista became an important stagecoach stop along the El Camino Real for travel between northern and southern California. The years passed, and the town and mission weathered many changes from one era to the next.
250 years have passed since that historic expedition. Mission San Juan Bautista, fifteenth in the chain of California missions, has endured hard times, yet flourishes, and to this day remains an active parish. The streets of this historic town are mostly untouched by time; a mix of authentic Spanish adobes, wooden frontier buildings, stagecoach era relics, immaculately preserved homes of early Californians, and the last original Spanish plaza in California, which is located in front of the mission.
It is here in San Juan Bautista that the California Mission Walkers are gathering in October 2026 to hold their biannual conference, to celebrate the past and the present of the mission, the town, and the California Mission Walk.
To explore San Juan Bautista is to uncover and experience the rich and diverse history of early California.
So, close your eyes and lace up your shoes.
And imagine.

Conference Schedule, Saturday, October 10, 2026

San Juan Bautista Community Center located at 10 San Jose St., San Juan Bautista
8:00 AM: Check-in and welcome reception with refreshments
9:00 AM: Conference begins
5:00 PM: Conference ends
5:15 PM: Taco dinner (optional)

Conference Events

  • Conference check-in and welcome reception in the hall
  • Welcome and Opening Prayer, by Michael Lugo
  • Program overview by Host Jeffrey Osser
  • Introduction to the California Mission Walkers, by Steven W.
  • Keynote Speaker: Ruben Mendoza (SJB Lunisolar Calendar and Archeological Finding of San Juan Bautista)
  • Mission Walker slideshow
  • Forbes Mission Bells, by Edie Littlefield Sundby
  • 2025 / 2026 finishers
  • Deli sandwich and salad lunch accompanied by the music of Cisco Jim Aceves and his guitar
  • Afternoon Speaker, Naomi Torres (Anza Expedition 250th)
  • Choice of one 45-minute tour (Mission San Juan Bautista tour, Historic building tour, or Historic Walk of San Juan Bautista)
  • Activities (door prizes / group photos)
  • Tribute to Maggie Small, by Kristie Nolen
  • Awards / Recognitions / Honors
  • California Mission Walkers Update, by Steven W.
  • Closing Prayer, by Bob Brunson
  • Taco bar and social gathering (optional)

Optional Arrival Day Schedule, Friday, October 9, 2026
Friday evening there will be an informal gathering for drinks and appetizers or a meal at Jardines de San Juan (115 Third St). The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 8 PM (and does not take reservations). The mission will also be open until 4 PM for anyone wanting to tour the grounds (entry fee applies).

Registration

Early bird conference tickets are $110 for adults, $50 for students 13-26 with ID, and $12 for children 12 and under. Early bird pricing ends April 30th. Ticket cost includes morning and afternoon refreshments, and lunch. (Adult ticket price to increase to $125 starting May 1, 2026)

Please use this Google Form to register for the conference:  https://forms.gle/xYLFNL8LT5wD6eDE8

Questions? Please email us at: californiamissionwalkers@gmail.com

Location

The historic city of San Juan Bautista is located in San Benito County in the San Juan Valley, 18 miles north of Salinas and 12 miles south of Gilroy. From HWY 101 North and South take the 156 exit east towards San Juan Bautista and Hollister. Drive approximately 3 miles to the signaled intersection. Turn LEFT on The Alameda to enter the town of San Juan Bautista.

Conference Parking

Those attending the conference are free to park anywhere on the neighboring streets. Do not park in the Casa Maria parking lot (across from the community center) or on any private property.

Lodging

There are two hotels located in San Juan Bautista, in addition to lodging options in the surrounding cities of Watsonville, Gilroy, and Hollister.

We have contracted with Hacienda de Léal Hotel in San Juan Bautista (0.5 miles from the mission) to reserve a block of rooms at a discounted rate for Friday, October 9, 2026 (with the option to keep the same rate if Saturday night is also booked). Please contact us for the link to book your room at the discounted rate (if you choose to stay at the Hacienda de Léal Hotel).

San Juan Bautista:
Hacienda de Léal Hotel, 410 The Alameda, (831) 623-4380
Posada de San Juan, 310 4th St., (831)623-4030

Watsonville:
Hampton Inn and Suites, 75 Lee Rd, (831) 322-5080 (17.7 mi)
Best Western Rosa Garden Inn, 740 Freedom Blvd, (831)724-3367 (16.5 mi)
Motel 6, 125 Silver Leaf Dr, (831) 268-5731 (17.6 mi)

Hollister:
Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 391 Gateway Dr, (831) 200-2945 (9.6 mi)
SureStay by Best Western, 660 San Felipe Rd, (831) 637-9248 (9.2 mi)

Gilroy:
Hilton Garden Inn, 6070 Monterey Rd, (408)840-7000 (11.1 mi)
Hampton Inn and Suites, 5975 Travel Park Cir, (669) 239-7044 (11.1 mi)
Motel 6, 6110 Monterey Rd, (408)842-6061 (11 mi)

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