June 28
Shrine of St Joseph – Our Lady of Grace Monastery

Distance: 17 miles

Elevation: Ascent 143 ft; Descent 243 ft

Schedule: 7:00 Breakfast/Pack; 8:30 Mass; 9:00 Depart; 5:00 Arrival; 6:00 Dinner; 8:00 Adoration/Rest

Description: Today is the longest segment of the Camino.  The first half goes through Santa Cruz to Capitola, which is a great place to stop for lunch.  Then we make our way down to the ocean at New Brighton State Beach and walk approximately ten miles along the beach to Sunset Beach (250 Sunset Beach Rd, Watsonville).  From Sunset Beach we will take a shuttle to Our Lady of Grace Cistercian Monastery for the night. Today’s route is safe for families and there are plenty of places for rest stops and water.  If it’s sunny it should be nice and warm, but the marine layer at the ocean can also make it overcast and chillier.  Be prepared to get wet if you want to go in the ocean. 

Accommodations: Our Lady of Grace Cistercian Monastery: 1671 Pleasant Valley Rd, Aptos.  These are probably the best accommodations of the pilgrimage – with rooms and beds and showers and amazing food and hospitality provided by the Vietnamese Cistercian monks, who are a beautiful witness of life dedicated entirely to Christ.  
Suggested hotels for those not staying at the above provided accommodations:
Hampton Inn & Suites Watsonville: 75 Lee Rd, Watsonville (831) 322-5080
Best Western Rose Garden Inn: 740 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville (831) 724-3367