Southern California Day trips
  
Facebook
THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
menu
Kids Stuff Theme Parks Train Rides Adventure Tours museums Beaches Whale Watching Wineries Day Trips for Seniors U-Pick Farms Outlet Malls Kids Birthday Party Places

Mission San Juan Capistrano
Divider
 
Mission San Juan Capistrano is called the "Jewel of the Missions" Mission San Juan Capistrano is probably the best known of all the California missions. In 1796 work was begun on a large stone church that was to be the most magnificent of all the California mission churches.

Under the guidance of an expert stonemason from Mexico the natives transported the stones from a quarry six miles away. Nine years later the church was completed. The Great Stone Church was built in the shape of a cross, 180 feet long and 40 feet wide. Above the front entrance is a 120 foot tall bell tower that could be seen for miles.

Today the mission is a major tourist attraction in Southern California with buses full of tourist and school children. Visitors come to enjoy the beautiful gardens and historic buildings of the mission complex.

In the spring thousands of swallows annually migrate some 2,000 miles from their winter homes to the San Juan Capistano. Each year the Festival of the Swallows is celebrated with festivities including traditional bell ringing, and a swallow day parade to mark the return of the swallows to San Juan Capistrano.

California's first vineyard was located on the groundsof Mission San Juan Capistrano and planted with"Mission" or "Criollo" grapes in 1779. The first winery in Alta California was also built in San Juan Capistrano in 1783. Red and white wines plus brandy, and a port-like fortified wine called Angelica were all produced from the mission grapes.
 
Mission San Juan Capistrano Pond
Mission San Juan Capistrano
 
The city of San Juan Capistrano has the usual tourist shops and art gallery's as well a selection of restaurants all with in walking distance of the Mission. One of the more famous places to dine is El Adobe which was a favorite dining place of Richard Nixon and has been recognized as a California State Historical Landmark.

Within walking distance is the Del Rio historic district with 100 year old houses and Zoomars petting zoo. The train station is just a few blocks away from the mission and Amtrak Pacific Coastliner has daily service to San Juan Caspistrano. The Pacific Ocean is only a short drive where you can visit Dana Point Harbor of camp on the beach at Doheny State Park.

Mission San Juan Caspistrano is Open Daily: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and we recommend arriving early to enjoy the beautiful gardens in a peaceful setting. Around 9;00 on weekends and summer expect to see tour busses dropping off groups of visitors. There is plenty of room at the mission for everyone but early in the morning there are very few visitors and this is a special time to visit.
 
The Great Stone Church San Juan Capistrano
Great Stone Church
Mission San juan Capistrano Bell
Mission San Juan Capistrano Bell
Mission San Juan Capistrano Buildings
  
Mission San Juan Capistrano Barracks
  
Del Rio historic district
  
Del Rio Tea Garden
 
San Juan Capistrano Historic jail
  
Click on image for larger picture
  
In 1778, two years after the mission was moved to the present site, a small adobe chapel was built, and soon replaced by the Serra Chapel in 1782. This is the only remaining church in which Fr. Serra held mass.

In order to accommodate the mission's growing population, the Great Stone Church was constructed between 1797 - 1806. This cathedral-like building was 180 feet long by 40 feet wide, and had a high-vaulted ceiling surmounted by seven domes fronted by a 120 foot tall bell tower.

In December, 1812 a massive earthquake destroyed the Great Stone Church, killing 40 people.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is located in southern Orange County, 3 blocks west of I-5 on Ortega Highway. Exit the freeway and turn west onto Ortega Highway. Mission San Juan Capistrano is straight ahead 2 1/2 blocks.
 
You Might Like:
Mission San Luis Rey
Mission Santa Barbara
La Purisima Mission
Dana Point Harbor
Doheny Beach
Mission San Luis Rey Built in 1798,this is the largest California Mission.
Mission Santa Barbara one of Santa Barbara's most visited attractions.
La Purisima Mission Completely restored La Purisima is a must see
Dana Point Harbor is a short drive from the mission.
Doheny Beach is the nearest beach to the mission.
 
 
divider
 
Published from Southern California Content © Daytrippen.com. All rights reserved.