Overview
San Juan Capistrano is a city in Orange County in Southern California.
5 sights · 6 things to do · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about San Juan Capistrano
Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post
Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post is across the street from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Trading Post has a rich history. The original Old Mission Trading Post was built by Henry Oliver in 1947. It was bu…
Mission San Juan Capistrano
This is a historic California mission founded in 1776 by Spanish missionary Junipero Serra. It was the first mission to grow grapes. Today it is a museum where tours of the site are offered and masses are still celebrate…
Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
This church is a stunning building built to match the design of the mission's Great Stone Church which was destroyed by an 18th-century earthquake.
O'Neill Museum
A small museum that documents life in San Juan Capistrano in the 1880s. Also features an extensive collection of historical photos that can be browsed.
Downtown
Second Saturday Art Fair
A juried display and sale of fine art, jewelry, and crafts that coincides with the Living History Day at the Mission.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 43°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Mission Viejo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SNA John Wayne Orange County International Airport, Santa Ana — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CLD McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad — 34 mi away. Directions
San Juan Capistrano sits between Los Angeles and San Diego along the California coast. It is easy to reach by car by taking the I-5 to the Ortega Highway (State Route 74) interchange. Better yet, San Juan Capistrano station is in the center of the historic downtown area, across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano. The station is served by Amtrak via its Pacific Surfliner line, and Metrolink's Orange County and Inland Empire lines.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mission San Juan Capistrano, Downtown
- Lunch 3:16 Bakery Shop
- Afternoon Swallows Parade, The Los Rios District
- Dinner Trevor's at the Tracks
- Evening Swallow's Inn
Day 2
- Morning Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post
- Lunch El Adobe
- Afternoon River Street Ranch, Music Under the Stars
- Dinner Pedro's Tacos
- Evening Hidden House Coffee
Day 3
- Morning O'Neill Museum, Second Saturday Art Fair
- Afternoon The Camino Real Playhouse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
San Juan Capistrano is known for its wide variety of fine dining. Skip the fast food joints by the highway. There are half a dozen fine restaurants within 200 yards of the rail station.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
San Juan Capistrano sits between Los Angeles and San Diego along the California coast. It is easy to reach by car by taking the I-5 to the Ortega Highway (State Route 74) interchange. Better yet, San Juan Capistrano station is in the center of the historic downtown area, across the street from Mission San Juan Capistrano. The station is served by Amtrak via its Pacific Surfliner line, and Metrolink's Orange County and Inland Empire lines.
Get around
Everything is within walking distance.
During the summer, two trolleys on 20-minute frequencies run in a continuous loop from downtown San Juan Capistrano (La Zanja Street) to a Dana Point trolley service stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street. The Dana Point Trolley also connects to a Laguna Beach Trolley. Trolley rides are free.
See
See Mission San Juan Capistrano
This is a historic California mission founded in 1776 by Spanish missionary Junipero Serra. It was the first mission to grow grapes. Today it is a museum where tours of the site are offered and masses are still celebrated in its Serra Chapel (the only existing building where Serra is known to have preached). Audio tours are included with museum admission. The site houses ruins of a collapsed portion of the "Great Stone Church" and the annual "Return of the Swallows" observed March 19.
See Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post (Trading Post)
Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post is across the street from the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. The Trading Post has a rich history. The original Old Mission Trading Post was built by Henry Oliver in 1947. It was built on the site of Fred Stoffel's former San Juan Inn Cafe (first cafe in SJC) which had also served as Fred Cason's movie house during the 1920s. The facade was changed in 1953 to the Western false front appearance it has today. They are 7th generation experts in Native American Indian Jewelry & Turquoise. They also offer San Juan Capistrano souvenirs, religious goods, artwork, crafts from local San Juan Capistrano artists and California Mission Collectibles.
Do
Do The Los Rios District
The oldest continuously occupied street in California and has a mix of residences and little shops on a beautiful shaded street. It is across the tracks from the train station.
Buy
The historical downtown area along Camino Capistrano adjacent to the mission is lined with small shops.
Eat
San Juan Capistrano is known for its wide variety of fine dining. Skip the fast food joints by the highway. There are half a dozen fine restaurants within 200 yards of the rail station.
Eat Pedro's Tacos
All the locals know that the best fish tacos anywhere are found at a little taco stand across from the mission.
Eat 3:16 Bakery Shop
Small bakery shop located right by the rail station. They sell cakes, pastries, other baked goods, coffee, espresso, tea, gelato, and frozen yogurt.
Eat El Adobe (El Adobe de Capistrano)
Historic restaurant in the heart of the city. Large portions with an interior so nice they have weddings in. Richard Nixon dined here many times.
Eat Trevor's at the Tracks
New American restaurant built inside an old railroad depot. Serves slightly high end food and cocktails with a large shady patio space and lots of train stuff inside. Very spacious and a menu with lots of eclectic dishes. An interesting beer menu, uncommon brews.
Drink
There are a few bars south of the Mission
Drink Swallow's Inn
A pseudo-cowboy bar with tons of local paraphernalia on the wall. They serve food like hot dogs and occasionally have live music. Cheap beers and friendly locals.
Sleep
Go next
Head southwest 5 miles to Dana Point or San Clemente to relax by the beach.
Head inland on Ortega Highway to go hiking in natural California wildernesses.
The Pacific Surfliner Amtrak train heads up and down the coast from San Diego to Santa Barbara
Nearby
Dana Point
City / town · 17 listings · 3 mi away
Laguna Niguel
City / town · 11 listings · 3 mi away
San Clemente
City / town · 40 listings · 5 mi away
Aliso Viejo
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Laguna Beach
City / town · 47 listings · 7 mi away
Mission Viejo
City / town · 22 listings · 7 mi away
Laguna Hills
City / town · 3 listings · 7 mi away
Lake Forest
City / town · 15 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
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