Mission San Juan Capistrano offers a glimpse into California’s past. This historic site is a distinctive destination and is protected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It “was first founded by Father Lasuen, on October 30th. But just a few weeks after the party of padres and soldiers arrived, they received word of the revolt occurring in San Diego. The founding padres, and soldiers decided to leave San Juan Capistrano, and go back to San Diego to help there. Once things had settled in San Diego, Saint Serra personally led a party to re-found Mission San Juan Capistrano on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 1776.”

The development of Los Rios Street is closely tied to the establishment of nearby Mission San Juan Capistrano. In 1794, 40 adobe structures were constructed at the present site of Los Rios Street to house the Native Americans who labored at the mission.

The Great Stone Church started construction in 1797 and concluded in 1806. California experienced an earthquake in 1812 which caused the building to collapse and kill more than 40 people during mass. The walls remain and mark the echos of voices from the past.

You will find a series of informative exhibits, such as the Legacy of Saint Serra. The history of Father Serra can be viewed in this e-book. Visit the mission’s exhibit page to see a list of current exhibits.

 

While you visit San Juan Capistrano, make sure to visit the Los Rios Street Historic District. It is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

 

You will encounter the Montanez Adobe which was constructed in 1794. It is one of the forty houses built for the Mission Native Americans. It was restored in the 1980s with seismic retrofit beams. This historic site has period-piece reproduction furniture.

We suggest you visit the O’Neill Museum – San Juan Capistrano Historical Society. They have rotating exhibits which have included the “History of Farming in the Capistrano Valley” in 2018.