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City in California, United States
Photo: DDauri Daniel D'Auria, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
San Juan Capistrano is a city in Orange County in Southern California.
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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.
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.
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.
Trading Post
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.
A juried display and sale of fine art, jewelry, and crafts that coincides with the Living History Day at the Mission.
Every 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.
On summer evenings, the Mission's music under the stars series features concerts in the mission as the sun sets over the mission walls.
An 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 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.
formerly the Jones Mini Farm, Zoomars
Facility which includes a petting zoo, train ride, seasonal events, panning for gold, and more.
All the locals know that the best fish tacos anywhere are found at a little taco stand across from the mission.
Small bakery shop located right by the rail station. They sell cakes, pastries, other baked goods, coffee, espresso, tea, gelato, and frozen yogurt.
El Adobe de Capistrano
Historic restaurant in the heart of the city. Large portions with an interior so nice they have weddings in. Richard Nixon dined here many times.
New American restaurant built inside an old railroad depot. Serves slightly high end food and cocktails with a large shady patio space and lots of train stuff inside. Very spacious and a menu with lots of eclectic dishes. An interesting beer menu, uncommon brews.
A pseudo-cowboy bar with tons of local paraphernalia on the wall. They serve food like hot dogs and occasionally have live music. Cheap beers and friendly locals.
Coffee shop with a chique serving their own house-brewed stuff. Also serves pastries and has a patio.
The Antiques Barn
Nearly a block long and full of regional antiques.
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.
Read in the guideDuring 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.
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Santa Ana · International · SNA
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