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Attractions, Entertainment, and Points of Interests
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO HISTORY
The mission is a national treasure, as it represents a significant period in the history of North America at a time when California was not yet part of the United States. The Explorers serving the Spanish monarchy, who made expeditions by land and sea along the Pacific shores, thought they had found a paradise. They returned again and again to claim more of this land for their country. Mission San Juan Capistrano was actually founded twice, once in 1775, and "officially" on November 1, 1776, by Padre Junipero Serra.
Serra was a Franciscan friar who spent his life laboring to do good works among the "heathens" of the New World. They came to Alta California with very little assistance from the monarchy that sponsored them, charged with Christianizing the Indians and educating them in European ways. The Spanish monarchy also regarded the colonization of Alta California as an important way to establish territorial sovereignty over what was surely a source of natural wealth, and therefore attractive to other European powers.
With the founding of each mission, Padre Serra and his successors were establishing a chain linked by El Camino Real(meaning-the Royal Roar or -The Kings Highway) from San Diego to Sonoma north of San Francisco Bay. The objective was to train Indians to become efficient in agriculture and raising livestock, then gradually bequeath the mission property back to the Indians. Deadly skirmishes between colonists and Indians were not uncommon, and many Indians gave up emulating the Europeans. However, others thrived under the mission system. They created beautiful crafts, decorated mission walls with their art, and some learned to read and play music. Some were married in the church.
Unfortunately, the mission system did as much to hurt California's Native Indian population as it did to help them. Old world diseases brought death to many villages; friars sometimes punished Indians harshly for transgressions that the Indians did not really understand, and many fled the missions, never to be seen again.
As Mexico wrestled California from Spain, the new nation began deeding vast tracts of land to its own citizens, stripping the native Indians of what was once regarded as their natural property rights. The missions were neglected, canibalized for building materials, and ultimately abandoned.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
31882 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 248-2048
Hours 8am to 5pm in winter-8am to 7pm in summer
Admission-Adults $3-Children under 12-$1.50
The church at Mission San Juan Capistrano was destroyed in 1812 by a devastating
earthquake, a catastrophe that affected several other missions in Southern California.
Only the church wall behind the altar is standing today. The ruin, however, is quite
beautiful in its own right, revealing the architectural style and intentions of its
creators and the Indian laborers who built it.
The authentic grounds and buildings lend a wonderful flavor to any visit. Inside the courtyard is a fountain and paths that lead to the mission and adjacent buildings. Beautiful landscaping here and in the interior courtyard includes jacarandas, palms, oaks and other trees.
Three bells from the period are now hung in a companelle, or bell wall, instead of in a tower atop the nonexistent church. The bells are rung only on special occasions, such as St Joseph's Day. Inside the adjacent wings of the mission are rooms showing how the Indians, friars and military guards lived.
The most peaceful place in the mission is the Serra Chapel, the only remaining building in California where Padre Serra was known to have said mass. It is a beautiful chapel, with continuously lit candles.
Every March 19-San Juan Capistrano is famous for the return of the swallows, that build their mud nests in the walls in and around the mission compound.
Garcia Adobe
31851-71 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
This adobe is two blocks south of the mission, and just a few doors from the town's most
famous restaurant, El Adobe. The Garcia adobe is unusual in that it has two stories,
constructed in the Monterey style. It was built in the 1840's by Manual Garcia, a merchant
from Portugal.
Amtrak Depot
26701 Verdugo Street
(800) 872-7245
Directions-one block west of Camino Capistrano between Anguello way and Verdugo Street
near the Mission.
This historic depot is nicely preserved, and has been expanded by connecting real railroad
cars from the 1930's where you can relax and have a drink while awaiting your train. Or
you can dine at Rio Grande Bar and Grille in what once was the depot. There is hot New
Orleans Style jazz music played from 12 noon to 5pm every Sunday. There is dancing during
the week where you can kick up your heels to country music.
Los Rios Historic District Near Amtrack Depot
(949) 493-8444
Across the tracks west of the Amtrak depot is the Los Rios Historic District.
This is the oldest neighborhood in California. Visitors may take a self-guided walking
tour of the district and see numerous historic homes. Every Sunday at 1pm a guided tour is
given, beginning at El Peon Plaza across the street from the mission.
O'Neill Museum
31831 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 493-8444
Hours-Tuesday through Friday 9am to 12pm and 1 to 4pm-Saturday 11am to 3pm. Closed Sundays
and Mondays
Admission-Donation
One of the homes open to the public in the Los Rios Historic District is this small,
Victorian house from the 1880's. This was the first wooden, as opposed to adobe, building
in San Juan Capistrano. It now serves as a museum featuring artifacts from San Juan
Capistrano's heritage.
Center for Study of Decorative Arts
31431 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, Ca
(949) 496-2132
Hours Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 3 pm
Admission-Requested Donation $3
This four-year-old exhibition center is located a few blocks north of the mission. The
center specializes in seminars and shows that focus on indoor and outdoor decorative arts.
A unique feature is the changing exhibition of gardens, showcasing different styles. The
permanent children's garden is popular with school groups. The center has a permanent
collection of paintings, as well as rotating exhibits. There is also a research library
and a gift shop on the premises. Refreshments such as iced tea, coffee and cookies are
served in the courtyard, for a donation. More formal teas are served by volunteers if you
prearrange a group visit. You don't need a reservation, however, to stop and see this
attractive oasis.
Galleria Capistrano
31892 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 661-1781
Hours Monday 12-5pm, Tuesday through Sunday 11am to 6pm
This gallery resides inside a historic home, the Judge Richard Egan House(also called
"Harmony Hall"). It's located a few doors down from several antique shops south
of the Mission. The current tenant Balleria Capistrano, has an extensive collection of
works for sale by renowned native American artist R.C. Gorman.
Jones Family Mini Farm
31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 831-6550
Hours Weekends only, 11am to 4pm.
Admission-Free
If you enjoy the ambiance of a family barnyard, this is the place. The Jones family claims
to own the last working farm in the South County, and it's open to the public. On weekends
children can ride ponies for $1.75 and pet the many farm animals roaming about. If you
reserve ahead of time, you can take a hay ride through the historic district and end the
trip with an old fashioned barbecue.
Sycamore Trail
26282 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano, Ca
(949) 661-1755
Hours 8:30am to 4pm-winter/until 5:45pm-summer.
Fee-$20 per person for a one-hour guided trail ride.
Sycamore Trails is the only place in San Juan Capistrano where you can rent a horse. You
must stick to designated trails, but there are quite a few suited to every riding ability,
from beginner to advanced.
San Juan Hills Country Club Golf Course
32120 San Juan Creek Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 493-1167
An inexpensive afternoon of golf, played in a nice location above San Juan Capistrano. The
Golf Trekker describes this as a "narrow, well bunkered" course. You need ten
days advance registration for a tee time.
South Orange County Community Theater
31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, Ca
(949) 496-3723
The South Orange County Community Theater regularly presents comedy and mystery theater,
and holds workshops for aspiring actors. Call the theater for prices, current productions
and show times.
Cal Spas Billiards
31894 Paseo Mercado B-1, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 489-8088
Extensive selection of pool tables, game tables and game room accessories.
Coach House Concert Hall
33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Concert Line (949) 496-8927
Dinner & Show Reservations (949) 496-8930
Directions-I-5, exit San Juan Creek Road and head south. Watch for Avenida Aeropuerto and
turn right. It is tucked inside a business park south of the main part of town.
This popular nightclub headlines some of the more popular names in rock, jazz, fusion,
country and folk-both local favorites and international stars such as B.B. King or Ray
Charles. The Coach House has a large, open room with a fun atmosphere. Patrons may have
only cocktails or enjoy full dinners. The price of the show varies with the attraction,
generally in the $19 per customer range.
Blue Jay Campground
Off Ortega Hwy , Near-San Juan Capistrano, Ca
(800) 283-2267
Directions-take Hwy 74 to Forest Service Rd(12 miles south of Lake Elsinore) and follow
the signs.
This campground, located 3,300 feet above sea level, has piped in water, fireplaces,
picnic tables and chemical toilets. Pets must be on a leash. The complete guide to
California Camping says this campground leads to some nice back country hiking in the
Santa Ana Mountains, as it is near trail heads for the San Juan and Chiquito Trails.
Upper San Juan Campground
Off Hwy 74-Ortega, Near-San Juan Capistrano, CA
(619) 673-6180
Open April to October
Fee is $7 per vehicle
Directions-21 miles northeast of San Juan Capistrano off Hwy 74
Set amid oak trees, this campground is close to trail heads for San Mateo Canyon and the
Santa Ana Mountains. It is very popular with hikers. The eighteen camp sights for tents
and motor homes provide piped water, picnic tables, fireplaces and vault toilets. There
are no reservations, so its first come, first served.
Caspers Wilderness Park
33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA
(949) 728-0235 or (949) 831-2174
Directions I-5 to Ortega Hwy-74, Turn left and head east back toward the foothills.
This is Orange County's largest park, and in some ways the most rugged. Nature is
definitely untamed in this 7,600 acre expanse. You must be 18 or over to hike the
wilderness trails, and you cannot travel the trails by yourself.
There are many wonderful sights in this huge park. Bird watchers love this area. Foxes, bobcats, coyotes, deer and rabbits are plentiful. Weekend interpretive programs will enhance your enjoyment of the parks's geology, wildlife, and Native American history.
Thirty miles of trails give visitors an opportunity to really appreciate Orange County's natural beauty before the arrival of settlers. Here you will see chaparral, coastal live oak, cactus, lemonade berry, lupines and sycamores. Bell Canyon and its trail offer the best tour of the park. Juaneno Indians once pounded oak acorns into ground meal in this canyon.
Maps are available at the visitors center and will help you choose from the many paths that are available in Bell Canyon. Most of the trails stick close to Bell Creek, where black bears used to catch trout(but are now long gone). The longest trail, Oso, is more than six miles in one direction, and leads to a 1,470 foot summit. On a clear day you can spy Los Angeles County and Santa Catalina Island from here. There is limited overnight camping space. You can also camp here overnight with your horse as long as you have a trailer.
San Juan Creek Trail
San Juan Capistrano, CA
From the foothills near the Ortega Highway down to Capistrano Beach, this hilly trail will
give you spectacular views of South County and the Pacific Ocean. It is Primarily for
cyclists. Begin at Cook Park(Calle Arroyo and La Novia Avenue) and head southwest to the
sea following San Juan Creek. The trail ends at Doheny State Beach.
San Juan Trail
Cleveland National Forest
Directions: To reach this trail, drive Ortega Hwy-74, from San Juan Capistrano to about
three fourths of a mile past the San Juan ranger station.
The trail is tough, but is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. It proceeds northeast
from San Juan Hot Springs to the Main Divide Trail inside the Cleveland National Forest.
It is 23.2 miles altogether, but there are shorter loop trails. A good reference guide,
such as Jerry Schad's Cycling Orange County, would be extra helpful to study before
attempting this longer, more arduous type of ride.
Edwards Cinemas
Franiscan Plaza Theater
