What to do and see in San Juan Capistrano, California (CA): The Best Free Things to do

March 15, 2022 Madelene Haan

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. We Olive & Wine Bar

31760 Camino Capistrano Suite B, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-3246 +1 949-441-7279 [email protected] http://weolive.com/san-juan-capistrano/
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

We Olive & Wine Bar

We Olive is a culinary and wine destination that features olive oil tasting and education, artisan foods for sampling, gourmet gifts, wine tasting, and a delicious menu designed to pair with our small-production wines and featuring our extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

2. San Juan Capistrano Regional Library

31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2699 +1 949-493-1752 http://ocpl.org/libloc/sjc
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

San Juan Capistrano Regional Library

3. Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

31520 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2650 +1 949-234-1360 http://www.missionparish.org/
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 49 reviews

Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano

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.

4. Los Rios Historic District

31831 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-3115 http://www.sanjuancapistrano.net
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Los Rios Historic District

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.

5. Capistrano Depot

26701 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-3146 +1 800-872-7245
Excellent
36%
Good
55%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Capistrano Depot

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.

6. Swallows Inn

31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2654 +1 949-493-3188 http://swallowsinn.com/
Excellent
40%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 43 reviews

Swallows Inn

7. Old Barn Antique Mall, Inc.

31792 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2654 +1 949-493-9144 https://www.facebook.com/Theoldbarnantiquemall/
Excellent
58%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
5%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 19 reviews

Old Barn Antique Mall, Inc.

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.

8. Historic Town Center Park

31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-3206 http://www.visitsjc.com
Excellent
14%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
7%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 14 reviews

Historic Town Center Park

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