You TL;DR Guide to this Orange County Historic City
TL;DR: San Juan Capistrano is a city located in South Orange County, California. Nestled in the heart of the city is a vibrant and charming historic district, rich with California history. It’s a great place to explore local landmarks, eat amazing food, and soak-up the beautiful landscape. With a convenient train station stop and a free inter-city trolley, it’s easy to take public transportation to get around. If you are traveling by car, expect to pay a little for parking. As a common tourist destination, crowds are to be expected.
- Before you go
- What Makes San Juan Capistrano Special?
- Visit the Mission
- Get a Few Photos in at the Train Station
- Go Shopping in the Los Rios District
- Visit a Coffee or Tea Shop
- Visit Zoomers Ranch
- Check Out More California Landmarks
Whenever I’m in need for a beautiful day out, I love to venture over to San Juan Capistrano. Situated in South Orange County, California, San Juan Capistrano is oftentimes called the heart of O.C. history. With beautiful views, charming small shops, Spanish architecture, and an array of activities, there is something for everyone. I love stopping by for a casual stroll around, but most people visit to see the Mission.
Before you go
With an easy to access station, San Juan Capistrano is a convenient stop for anyone traveling via train. In fact, I highly recommend doing a coastal train trip – but I’ll save more on that for a future day.
Once you arrive, it’s easy to walk around the downtown district. However, the city also offers a free public trolley which makes it more convenient. If you are driving into the district, there is plenty of paid parking (both lots and street-side) – I usually like to park near the train station, which offers a cheap hourly rate, and estimate out for a handful of hours.
And now, here are a few things to do during your next visit!
What Makes San Juan Capistrano Special?
Originally home to the Acjachemen and then a central landmark for Spanish Colonization in California, San Juan Capistrano has born witness to a lot of Southern California history. In fact, later on, the first Hollywood movie to be shot in Orange County was actually filmed in San Juan Capistrano.
Today, this historic district is best known for its charming small town atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and the annual Swallows migration.
It’s the perfect place for individuals who love to photograph and see beautiful places, couples in search of a romantic date destination, and families hoping for an enriching day along the coast.
Visit the Mission
Address: 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Hours: 9AM-5PM (Closed Mondays)
Cost: $9-$18 (buy tickets here)
Founded in 1776, this Spanish mission is an incredibly significant location in both Orange County and California’s history. In fact, most people who grew up in Orange County will have visited the mission at least once in their life (usually on a school trip). If you are a history enthusiast, are looking for something enriching, or love looking at architecture and plant-life, then Mission San Juan Capistrano is a must-add to your travel itinerary.
I personally love a little bit of history during my travels – and San Juan Capistrano delivers. It can be a solemn, interesting, and beautiful stop for locals and visitors of all ages.
If you love visiting local churches and/or checking out the architecture, you can also make your way over to Mission Basilica, which is located adjacent to Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Get a Few Photos in at the Train Station
Address: 26701 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
The San Juan Capistrano train station is an open-air depot settled right in the heart of the Los Rios District. With beautiful trees and blue skies, it’s no wonder that the train station is a popular photo spot (stop by during Prom or Wedding season and you’ll see what I mean). It’s a must-visit to grab a little snapshot for your socials.
Go Shopping in the Los Rios District
Address: Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Just behind the train station, you will find the beautiful Los Rios Historic District. As you walk down the road, you’ll find dozens of small shops and stands lining a portion of the street. In fact, the Los Rios District is a lovely place to stroll around and check out local art galleries and handmade goods. If you’re not sure where to start, I recommend stopping by The Cottage Gallery for a bit of browsing.
Visit a Coffee or Tea Shop
Depending on your budget and plans for the day, there are a few places you can check out! Hidden House is a local favorite (get a bagel bomb!) and makes one of the best mochas in my opinion.
If you’re in the mood for something extra special (valentines and galentines are right around the corner), The Tea House on Los Rios is a beautiful place to visit. In fact, during the month of February the Tea House is hosting a special valentines menu (which you can learn more about here). I just love seeing everyone get dressed up – and the little garden next to the building is beautiful.
While you’re in the area, you may want to stop by one of the local restaurants for a more robust meal. There are a lot of options, but Trevors at the Tracks, Ramos House Cafe, and Breezy are great places to start.
Visit Zoomers Ranch
Address: 31791 Los Rios Street San Juan Capistrano, CA
Hours: 10am-4pm
Cost: See price breakdown
If you’re traveling with little ones, then you should consider stopping by Zoomer’s Ranch. Some people do find the entry cost to be a little on the high-end (around $12-15 per person, plus extra depending on what activities you want to participate in). However, most people really enjoy their experience.
For a free alternative, consider stopping by the Los Rios Park playground and the Butterfly Garden located just next to the park.
San Juan Capistrano holds a special place in my heart. Whether you are in need of a new place for some photography inspiration, a new foodie adventure, or an enriching activity, San Juan Capistrano holds it all. Let me know if you tried any of these places out!
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