Mission San Juan Capistrano sits atop 10 acres of lush gardens and cool fountains, cloistered by old adobe walls and offering visitors a reprieve from the sights and sounds of a busy world.
Each spring brings succulent garden highlights that include the golden California poppy, white, popcorn-sized flowers produced by the South African jade and blue hibiscus from the Tropics.
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In the Mission¹s center courtyard there is a beautiful fountain from the 1920s with blooming calla lilies, colorful koi fish, and the sound of trickling water. Well-tended roses, perennials, herbs, succulents, flowering shrubs and hollyhocks sit alongside the Mission’s multiple gardens, which also showcase the indigenous plants of California: cactus, chaparral, and scrub oak.
Visitors are welcome to take in the serenity and peace of the lush gardens, vine covered walls and archways, and the koi-filled fountains during the Mission’s normal hours of operation. Visitors can take a guided garden tour with the Mission’s Gardening Angels on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. and are included in the price of admission.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
