Location: San Juan Capistrano
Top Things to do in San Juan Capistrano
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10 Things to do in San Juan Capistrano That You Shouldn't Miss
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. Los Rios Park
2. 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.
3. Zoomars at River Street Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
We're one of a kind and hay bales of fun. We're good times, friendly animals and the happiest folks you'll ever meet. For the past 30 years our little zoo has charmed more than three million visitors
Reviewed By viago1 - San Juan Capistrano, United States
Old San Juan Capistrano is such a beautiful quiet place and the weather seems almost perfect for a family outing we use to take the kids to the petting zoo and did we have fun kids went crazy feeding the animals . The whole town is so lovely with trees and trails and low density buildings you can walk around to all the near by sites and the old mission is close . love this town .
4. O'Neill Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Los Rios Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By TeemareeDotCom - Los Angeles, United States
We stumbled upon this lovely attraction and felt we were entering a magical place. You simply cross the train stop tracks that come off of a normal cut de sac'd street and suddenly you are in a historical area with lovely homes and homes turned businesses. There are mature trees, butterflies, flowers. There are small eateries, a tea house, a coffee shop. There is a park with a historical dwelling that you can enter if you arrive at the right time. You turn a bend and suddenly you are walking over to a petting zoo with childlike surroundings. There are no sidewalks, you walk on active streets that are so sleepy it is easy to forget that cars do still pass on occasion. It is wonderful. I highly recommend.
8. Capistrano Depot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By socaltravelers2016 - San Bernardino, United States
You can find this tiny brick building right after you get off the Metrolink or Amtrak trains in Capistrano. It's more of an information booth with train schedules and brochures, but it's not always opened. Nearby are many restaurants, shops, and Mission San Juan Capistrano. Los Rios Historic District is just steps away on the other side of the train tracks.
9. Old Barn Antique Mall, Inc.
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
The largest and most diverse Antique Mall on the planet: 10,000 square feet in a historic, turn-of-century building, with 75 Dealers. Everything from Western to Tiffany to art to sports-related to gold & diamonds to costume jewelry to Asian antiques to...... everything! Vintage to Mid-Century. Authentic antiques. No junque! Prices from $1. to $10,000. In oldest historic district in California!!!
Reviewed By socaltravelers2016 - San Bernardino, United States
Located near the train stop and close to San Juan Capistrano Mission, it's a easy walk to this antique mall. There's probably something here that you will want or need. You could easily spend an hour or two looking around. Treasures abound in room after room in this large barn. You will be tempted to buy something: silverware, coins, sheet music from a bygone era, vintage jewelry, toys, books, photographs, kitchen items, ceramic or glass figurines and vases, etc. Booths are set up by different vendors, and you can ask a salesperson to see something before making a purchase.
10. The Coach House
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By michaelkT1957ZO - Laguna Woods, United States
My wife & I went to The Coach House to see Jonny Lang, which was fantastic. Great show in a great venue. Seats about 400 people in a small space. If you purchase a dinner reservation, you get a better seat. The earlier you make this purchase, the better the location. We purchased the dinner reservation & got a nice location, off to the side. With the dinner purchase, each person must spend at least $15.00 each, excluding drinks. The special was Beef Stroganoff, which was not bad but not worth $18.00. My wife got the swordfish for $30.00, which was terrible. There is a 2 drink minimum, so the bill can get expensive. We decided the next time we'll get salads and an appetizer. Can't screw up a salad too bad is our thinking. The service was fantastic, very friendly & cheerful. With the place full & very crowded, our server did a great job. The show was great & the lineup for future shows is awesome. We'll be back but we won't be ordering a full dinner.
