A Tour of San Juan Capistrano, California: Home of the Swallows and a Famous Mission

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

San Juan Capistano is a moderately sized community of around 35,000 just inland from Dana Point and north of San Clemente at the southern end of Orange County, California.

Sarducci's at the Train Depot in San Juan Capistrano, California - Jeff Dowler

A 35 minute drive (no traffic) from Carlsbad gets you to this charming historical town to enjoy the shopping, dining, and of the course the famous San Juan Capistrano mission. The town's collection of historical sites, buildings/homes, and artifacts in addition to the charm and beauty of Southern California makes a day trip very worthwhile. 

Entrance to the Mission at the Train Depot in San Juan Capistrano, California - Jeff Dowler  Historic building along Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, CA - Jeff Dowler

Located just off the 5 freeway (and on both sides), the town is known both for the swallows and the Mission San Juan Capistrano established by Father Junipero Serra in 1776, the 7th of the California missions. There is an extensive history behind the growth and development of this historic town with its roots as a Franciscan settlement. 

READ MORE:

Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside - A Bit of California History

San Juan Capistrano website  

Outside the Mission at Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, CA - Jeff DowlerA strong sense of history remains amidst the trappings of the 21st century - Starbucks, upscale shopping and multiple restaurants (Sarducci's at the old railroad depot, which is still a stop for Amtrak heading north and south) merge with antique shops the Los Rios historic District (with several dozen board and batten homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s), Zoomars (a petting zoo), and the mission in the heart of it all.

The Old Barn Antique Mall is a large building with 5 rooms filled to the brim with an incredible array of antiques and collectibles, sure to please even the choosiest antique-er. One can easily spend hours wandering the dozens of vendors stalls. 

And of course the town's history of its cliff swallows which leave and return annually on March 19th with great expectation and much festivity. We weren't there to witness them, of course, but it would be a fun trip too.  

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All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Comments (6)

Sheldon Neal
Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ
That British Agent Bergen County NJ

What character in this town Jeff ! Very charming and definitely not something most of us have experienced. Nice local highlight :o)

Jun 15, 2009 03:44 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH Real Estate - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Jeff, this is just a wondeful slide show.  I love the way you fit in Starbucks in the middle of these amazing old missions.

Jun 15, 2009 03:47 PM
Vicki Pedersen
Pedersen Real Estate - Riverside, CA
Providing Exceptional Real Estate Service

Jeff, One of my favoriate places to visit in California is the Mission at San Juan Capistrano.  I try to go there once every couple of years - always with a camera in hand  - hoping that some day I'll have time to do a painting of the mission from one of my photos.   

Jun 15, 2009 03:52 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Jeff That's one tour that I certainly would venture out to and enjoy.

Jun 15, 2009 06:12 PM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Jeff~

I visited this place with Mom and Dad 1,000 years ago when I was but a child ...
now I get to visit again, and I think, adding in those wonderful childhood memories, I may like it even better. Thanks for the tour. Splendid as usual.

Jun 16, 2009 03:25 AM
Michael and Cheron Lange
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
Associate Broker, GRI

How fun!  My husband and I every 2 years start out at Disneyland - for the kiddo's - then travel up to Santa Barbara, up the Hwy 1 into Carmel/Monterey Bay, spend a few days then head into San Francisco over the Golden Gate and into Napa.  I just love the vibe of that area.  :)

Jun 17, 2009 10:29 AM

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