Location: San Juan Capistrano
Top Things to do in San Juan Capistrano
Top 6 Budget-friendly Things to do in San Juan Capistrano, California (CA)
San Juan Capistrano is an easy day trip from Los Angeles and Orange County, by Amtrak train or freeway. Tours of the Mission buildings and gardens include the ruins of the 1797 Great Stone Church, destination for the legendary swallows of Capistrano. The Los Rios Historic District has buildings open to the public, such as the 1881 Ramos House Café and the1794 Montanez Adobe. Zoomars Petting Zoo is a kid-friendly attraction in the district adjacent to the train depot. The attractive town center has interesting galleries, antique stores, shops and restaurants.
Restaurants in San Juan Capistrano
1. Mission San Juan Capistrano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,583 reviews
Famous for the Annual Return of the Swallows, Mission San Juan Capistrano, historic landmark and museum, welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year. Enhance your visit with our multi-language Audio Tour available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian and now offered free with admission. Enjoy permanent exhibits featuring historic and religious artifacts, precious and rare paintings, and more. Experience the tradition of bell ringing daily honoring the legacy of Saint Junipero Serra, who founded the Mission in 1776. Visit the newly conserved Serra Chapel, California’s only chapel still standing where Saint Serra celebrated Mass and where the Eucharist has been celebrated daily.
Reviewed By HBSnowFlower - Huntington Beach, United States
Walking through the nearly 250-year-old mission is stepping into California’s Spanish Catholic history. I went to see the Christmas lights, illuminating the mission grounds two weeks ago, and it was like dropping into a time capsule. Beyond exploring the early padres’ simple rooms and the ruins of the old church, there are several exhibits essential to California’s mission and native history long before statehood. Be sure to see the small but stunning chapel – California’s only surviving chapel where Father Serra celebrated Mass. Recently canonized, Serra is renowned for starting the first nine of the 21 missions in California, starting with San Diego. Check the mission’s web site for special events like summer concerts and the annual battle of the mariachis.
2. O'Neill Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
3. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By Lanjohns - Tucson, United States
Even if it's cold, you can get outdoors at Caspers Wilderness Park. There's so much: camping, hiking, walking, playground, kid activities, visitor's center, historic farm sites. Lots of acreage and many different hiking and walking trails take you and your family through riverine, desert, and foothills terrain. Most paths are flat, but read hiking descriptions, because there are a few 100' or 200' elevation trails. See the visitors' center and climb the overlook platform to see far and wide. Exhibits tell about local plants and animals. The kids' playground is a favorite among my young friends. There are buried fossils to find, too! Not to mention trees with low limbs and bent trunks that are perfect for beginning tree climbers. The campground is well maintained and as of 2017 still includes a shower house. Campsites are under trees, alongside a dry river gulch, and in a gentle valley. There's a windmill and some corrals to discover that prompt the memory of days before electricity and city water. This is a county-owned park with reasonable fees for day use and camping. It's a good idea to reserve a campsite you love if you'll stay over a spring or fall weekend, but most nights have some site availability for walk-ins, especially early in the day. Staff is friendly and helpful. This is both a bit inland and at a low altitude, so can be warm during hot days and nights.
4. San Juan Capistrano Regional Library
5. Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By 598marisap - Dallas, United States
St. John O'Sullivan was in charge of this mission in 1910, and he was the one to build it. The church is just a jewel in the middle of the mission. I love the grand golden retablo, it is very similar to the ones from the colonial period in Mexico. I also love the sculptures of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego. This is a wonderful place to attend mass on Sundays.
6. Swallows Inn
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