Top 3 Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano, CA: The Ultimate Guide (2024)
San Juan Capistrano At-A-Glance
| Population | 34,955 |
|---|---|
| Area | 14.43 mi² |
| Best known for | Mission San Juan Capistrano |
| Character | Sleepy CA historic town |
San Juan Capistrano is a quaint town in South Orange County. Best know for the Mission San Juan Capistrano—one of California’s 21 missions—the surrounding area is a charming tourist area with independent restaurants, wineries, and shops.
San Juan Capistrano is famous for the migration of the cliff swallows. A cliff swallow is a small songbird that migrates to SJC from Goya, Argentina in March each year. For several years, swallows re-routed due to urbanization, but thanks to the Mission’s efforts, they’ve made a return. This event is commemorated with the annual Swallows Day Parade in March.
If you like places like Santa Barbara or Carmel, you’ll definitely enjoy San Juan Capistrano. Read on for some of the top things to do.
Top 3 Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano
1. Visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano
1. Visit the Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano entrance
2. Walk around the Los Rios Street Historic District
Los Rios Historic District
San Juan Capistrano Train Station
Besides the Mission, the Los Rios Street Historic District is the highlight of SJC. It’s very small, and you can see everything in under an hour. It’s easy to feel like you’re in a small central California town, despite being surrounded by cities with over 100,000 residents.
The Amtrak Surfliner at the San Juan Capistrano train station
Las Catrinas
The Tea House on Los Rios
Some popular places to dine in the District are The Ramos House Cafe and The Tea House on Los Rios.
3. Enjoy a meal at Heritage Barbecue
Heritage Barbecue won the OC Register’s best restaurant of the year. Enjoy Texas-style barbecue on their outdoor patio, right next to Capistrano Brewing Co.
Heritage Barbecue. Highly recommended!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is San Juan Capistrano from Disneyland?
San Juan Capistrano is 29 miles from Disneyland and it takes 30 minutes to get there by car.
What is the best way to get to San Juan Capistrano?
You can take the Amtrak from Anaheim to the San Juan Capistrano for $15+ each way.
