The ruins known as the Great Stone Church is one of the most interesting sections of SJC Mission. This is also the section that the swallows retrun to mostly.
The church was laid out as a cross shape... more
Mission Baslica San Juan Capistrano was established by Junipero Serra, on November 1, 1776 as one of the Twenty-One Missions built up along the California coast. This is still an active parish and if... more
Sadly, I did not go inside because mass was going on among other religious events going on outside.
The plaque near the front entrance reads: New Mission Church "Spirit and likeness" of the Great... more
This is a great place to take your kids to while in San Juan Capistrano. The price of admission has gone up since I was last there, but also more attractions have been added.
The petting zoo is a... more
The Serra Chapel was built in 1782 and its the only original California Mission church that is still standing. It is named after Father Serra. Father St John OSullivan restored the mission church in... more
Los Rios District is considered the oldest neighborhood in California. It was larger in the earlier days than now, but we get the idea of what it was like two hundred or so years ago. Many of the... more
The O'Neil Museum is also know as, Garcia/Pryor residence and The San Juan Capistano Historical Society Headquarters.
Besides seeing a small but notorious Victorian home, it is one of the first... more
This Catholic church sits directly behind San Juan Capistrano Mission. I haven't found any historical data on the church, but it appears to be nearly as old as the Mission. The interior is domed, with... more
Swallows Day is a magical day. If Christmas and St. Paddy's Day had a child, they would name it Swallows Day. This day, which is really an entire weekend commitment, is all about tradition. Our... more
One of the Spanish Missions in California founded by the first Spanish settlers. It is an important historic monument as well as an extremely peaceful place to spend a few hours.
More details at the... more
The bells were important to early Mission life, taking the place of clocks. They called the community to meals, religious services, work, funerals, and the sighting of a supply ship.
These bells... more
The vegetable garden was nearly as pretty as the flower gardens and I didn't see any bugs.
Volunteers called the "Mission's Gardening Angels" gather weekly to maintain and beautify the Mission... more
Within the San Juan Capistrano Mission you will find a little museum which show how the people of the time lived in the southern California area.
You will also find out about how each of the missions... more
Construction on this new church was begun in the 1980s. The design incorporates the same general feel of the Great Stone Church on the mission grounds. The Great Stone Church was nearly demolished by... more
This Industrial Center is located inside the mission. This is were the Indians used to make their candles, soap, dye, and where they cooked their food. This... more
The bells were very important to mission life because they indicated when the meals were, religious services, work, funerals, and other important stuff. For... more
Most people like taking a picture here next to Father Serra and and the little boy. This is a tribute to Father Serra and the statue was commissioned by Father... more
They say that there are about 2000 people laid to rest here, including the 42 people that died when the Great Stone Church collapsed. The graves are mostly... more
I hadnt even heard of this little neighborhood until I came here to see the Mission. Los Rios is the oldest neighborhoods in California. It is located across... more
The first vineyard in California was at the Mission San Juan Capistrano The Mission Winery was built in 1783 and housed an indoor vat where grapes were crushed... more
As a child growing up in Southern California this mission was always a favorite stop on the way to where ever we were going camping. The crown jewel of the... more
INFOFounded November 1st 1776.Mission San Juan Capistrano, named for St. John of Capistrano, Italy, a theologian of the 14th century. On October 30, 1775, it... more
It depends on how much you like history, but Mission San Juan Capistrano is an amazing place. It is perhaps the most beautiful mission among the California... more
The "New" Parish Church was built in 1984 it is a copy of the Great Stone Church which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812. With it's 104 foot bell tower, it... more
During its simple beginnings, this was home Native Americans called the Acjachemen tribe who the Spanish, called Juaneños. When Father Serra was establishing the missions around 1776, he named this......
Kristi and I took a day trip to San Juan Capistrano braving the LA freeway traffic and arrived on a beautiful sunny April day. Not a swallow in sight though. I believe SJC has been devoid of swallows...
San Juan Capistrano is located three miles from the ocean in Southern California, midway between LA and San Diego. It’s best known for its Mission and the swallows that return there year-after-year....
The most likely reason for a stop in San Juan Capistrani is for a visit to its lovely and historic mission. The mission was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra. At the time California was still...
San Juan Capistrano is located in South Orange Co. This is a very special town ,rich in history and beauty. Set in a valley a couple miles inland from the Pacific Ocean at Dana Point It is surrounded...
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