Mission San Juan Capistrano

31414 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA  92675
Office: (949) 234-1300
Website: http://www.missionsjc.com

Fostering love and pride, Mission San Juan Capistrano presents a unique look into Native Californian history. The Mission, known as “the Jewel of the Missions”, was the 7th of 21 Missions erected in California. Founded November 1, 1776 by Fr. Junipero Serra, the Mission quickly flourished. Numerous buildings were born of the hard work of the Mission’s dedicated keepers in its early years.

One of these buildings includes a church called, “Serra Chapel”. Built in 1777, a humble representation of simplistic living and worship, the Chapel is still in use today. It is also considered to be the oldest standing church that is still in use in California.

By the late 1800’s, Mission San Juan Capistrano was slowly decaying from its lack of care. In 1910 Father St. John O’Sullivan arrived, frail with tuberculosis, yet captivated by the beauty he envisioned within the crumbling walls. His unique enthusiasm, love of the Mission and sheer determination helped him restore the Mission to its former glory. Having enlivened the gardens to be elegant, stunning forces, Fr. O’Sullivan invited artists to visit and paint the natural beauty of the mission and its garden paradises. Fr. O’Sullivan became known as, “the Great Restorer of the Mission”.

Today, Mission San Juan Capistrano is considered to be the premier historical location of Orange County. It attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year and continues to evoke spiritual emotions in many of its guests.

The Mission is open from 8:30 - 5:00PM Sunday - Saturday