Mission San Juan Capistrano
California Mission · San Juan Capistrano, California
Mission San Juan Capistrano, in the small Orange County town of the same name, was founded in 1776 (confirm the exact date) as the seventh of California's 21 missions and is among the most visited. Its Great Stone Church was largely brought down by the 1812 earthquake, and the ruins still stand among gardens and courtyards. The Serra Chapel is often described as the oldest building still in use in California. The mission is also famous for the swallows that return around March 19, St. Joseph's Day, though the legend is stronger than the bird count, which has fallen sharply. Expect an hour and a half to two hours (plus lunch in town) of quiet courtyards, adobe rooms, a small museum area and gardens, with an admission fee. The Los Rios Historic District sits next door, and the Metrolink and Amtrak station is a short walk, which makes this an easy day trip without a car. Confirm fees, hours and Mass times.
26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, California, 92675, United States
The mission is generally open daily during the day, commonly from the morning until late afternoon, and closes on a few holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas - confirm the current hours and last-entry time on the official site. Hours may be shorter in winter and on days of private events, weddings or the swallows celebration around March 19, when parts of the grounds can be closed or very crowded. The Serra Chapel is an active place of worship, so it can close to sightseers during Mass or a service. The adjacent parish church runs its own schedule and is not part of the ticketed grounds, and the gift shop and cafe keep separate hours. Confirm everything for your date before you travel.
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