San Juan Capistrano

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Daniel D'Auria

DDauri

San Juan Capistrano is a city in Orange County in Southern California.

Get in

San Juan Capistrano sits between Los Angeles and San Diego along the California coast. It is easy to reach by car by taking the I-5 to the Ortega Highway (State Route 74) interchange. Better yet, is in the center of the historic downtown area, across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano. The station is served by Amtrak via its Pacific Surfliner line, and Metrolink's Orange County and Inland Empire lines.

Get around

Everything is within walking distance.
During the summer, two trolleys on 20-minute frequencies run in a continuous loop from downtown San Juan Capistrano (La Zanja Street) to a Dana Point trolley service stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street. The Dana Point Trolley also connects to a Laguna Beach Trolley. Trolley rides are free.

See

Mission San Juan Capistrano

phone: +1 949 234-1300

address: 26801 Ortega Hwy
This is a historic California mission founded in 1776 by Spanish missionary Junipero Serra. It was the first mission to grow grapes. Today it is a museum where tours of the site are offered and masses are still celebrated in its Serra Chapel (the only existing building where Serra is known to have preached). Audio tours are included with museum admission. The site houses ruins of a collapsed portion of the "Great Stone Church" and the annual "Return of the Swallows" observed March 19.
Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

phone: +1 949 234-1360

address: 31520 Camino Capistrano
This church is a stunning building built to match the design of the mission's Great Stone Church which was destroyed by an 18th-century earthquake.
O'Neill Museum

phone: +1 949 493-8444

address: 31831 Los Rios St.
A small museum that documents life in San Juan Capistrano in the 1880s. Also features an extensive collection of historical photos that can be browsed.
Downtown
Caspers Wilderness Park
Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post

phone: +1 949 496-3993

address: 31741 Camino Capistrano
Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post is across the street from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Trading Post has a rich history. The original Old Mission Trading Post was built by Henry Oliver in 1947. It was built on the site of Fred Stoffel's former San Juan Inn Cafe (first cafe in SJC) which had also served as Fred Cason's movie house during the 1920s. The facade was changed in 1953 to the Western false front appearance it has today. They are 7th generation experts in Native American Indian Jewelry & Turquoise. They also offer San Juan Capistrano souvenirs, religious goods, artwork, crafts from local San Juan Capistrano artists and California Mission Collectibles.

Do

Bernard Gagnon

Second Saturday Art Fair

phone: +1 949-493-4700

address: Camino Capistrano & Yorba Street
A juried display and sale of fine art, jewelry, and crafts that coincides with the Living History Day at the Mission.
Swallows ParadeEvery spring the largest non-motorized parade in the country celebrates the return of the swallows and the town's old west heritage. Additional events from January through March bring an old west flavor to the town.
Music Under the StarsOn summer evenings, the Mission's music under the stars series features concerts in the mission as the sun sets over the mission walls.
The Camino Real PlayhouseAn 88-seat theater. Each spring, the melodrama is a major event with audience members cheering for the hero and booing and throwing foam rocks at the villain between bouts of laughter.
The Los Rios DistrictThe oldest continuously occupied street in California and has a mix of residences and little shops on a beautiful shaded street. It is across the tracks from the train station.
ZoomarsA petting zoo really done right. It is owned by a rare bird dealer and is always close to immaculate and very well staffed. It also has facilities for parties.
Walk of Faith Church

phone: +1 949-606-0409
A Home Discipleship Church focused on restoring discipleship in the home.

Buy

Lordkinbote

The historical downtown area along Camino Capistrano adjacent to the mission is lined with small shops.

The Antiques BarnNearly a block long and full of regional antiques

Eat

San Juan Capistrano is known for its wide variety of fine dining. Skip the fast food joints by the highway.
There are half a dozen fine restaurants within 200 yards of the rail station.

Pedro's TacosAll the locals know that the best fish tacos anywhere are found at a little taco stand across from the mission.
3:16 Bakery Shop

phone: +1 949 218-6060

address: 26762 Verdugo St.
Small bakery shop located right by the rail station. They sell cakes, pastries, other baked goods, coffee, espresso, tea, gelato, and frozen yogurt.

Drink

There are a few bars south of the Mission

Sleep

Best Western Capistrano Inn

phone: +1 949 493-5661

address: 27174 Ortega Highway

Go next

Head southwest 5 miles to Dana Point or San Clemente to relax by the beach.
Head inland on Ortega Highway to go hiking in natural California wildernesss.
The Pacific Surfliner Amtrak train heads up and down the coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara