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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA

San Juan Capistrano is the oldest settlement in Orange County, California. The town was founded around the mission that was established in 1776, as the 7th of a chain of 21 California missions by Spanish Franciscan Missionaries to convert the native Indians. The San Juan Capistrano mission had a settlement which included about 1,000 Indian 'Neophytes' who lived and worked in the community farming, weaving, herding, and the making of candles and soap. Mexico became independent from Spain in 1821 and ruled the area until 1848. With California statehood in 1850, the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego experienced greater growth and San Juan Capistrano had several declining years. Prosperity returned with continued growth of the all of Southwest California and the establishment of orange processing and other agriculture related industries.

The Mission is a registered Historic Landmark & designated a National Historical Treasure. It is called the 'Jewel of the Missions' and has been restored to earlier grandier, with lush gardens of flowers. It is an old, romantic and beautiful place and is the setting for 'When the Swallows come back to Capistrano'.

Activities: The San Juan Capistrano Mission is open daily 8:30 to 5:00 except Christmas, New Years, and Good Friday. The city has good golf courses and dining, is about 15 minutes from Laguna Beach, 30 minutes from Newport Beach, and about 1 hour from either the Los Angeles (North) and San Diego (South) attractions.