"San Juan Capistrano" a San Juan Capistrano Travel Page by cnango

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 by green hills dotted with custom mansions set on large lots and in some places acres. It has areas that are totally upper class and yet still has layback feel. With 60% of the town designated open space , numerous parks,miles of equestrian trails and undeveloped ridgelines it is one or the most desirable places to live in Southern California.

Downtown San Juan Capistrano is very charming with many shops and restuarants housed in predominately Spanish Mission style buildings which are both old and new. Across the tracks from the modern train station and historical Depot is the Los Rios district which has the oldest street (with current residents) in California .

The crowning glory of San Juan Capistrano is the "Jewel of the MIssions", Mission San Juan Capistrano. Home to the oldest church in California. It is named Serra Chapel to honor 'the Father of California', Padre Junipero Serra the Spanish Priest who founded the first Missions in Baja California (Mexico) and Alta California (USA State of California).The city gets its name from Saint John of Capstran, which is Spanish for San Juan Capistrano .

Note:
This is a work in progress. I have SO MUCH to write on SJC and the Jewel of the Missions. I have worked as a Docent (volunteer tour guide-teacher) at the Mission since Jan.2000 and served on the board of the Docent Society. I have posted a FEW pictures as a sneak peek, but my main hope is that people will come visit the 'Jewel of the Missions' and experience it's beauty and tranquility in person !