San Juan Capistrano, CA

Attractions

• Mission San Juan Capistrano
  An attraction as old as the town itself, Mission San Juan Capistrano is perfect for those who want to learn more about the town’s history or even about California missions in general. Considered the birthplace of Orange County, it originated as a community made up of Spanish Padres and Native Americans.

  Dubbed the Jewel of California Missions, it houses the Serra Chapel, the only chapel in California where Saint Junipero Serra celebrated a mass. The mission becomes even more fascinating during March when St. Joseph’s Day and The Return of the Swallows are celebrated with bells, music, and dancing.

• Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
  Situated in the vast Santa Ana Mountains, Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park gives a space for recreation through hiking, biking, and running. It also offers wildlife viewing that can be enjoyed with the guided nature walks offered by rangers on weekends or by advanced appointment. This tour allows visitors to see lines of native Coastal Live Oak and California Sycamore. Those who go at the right time will see an incredible display of seasonal wildflowers.

• Los Rios Historic District
  Another place for history and architecture enthusiasts is the Los Rios Historic District, the oldest neighborhood in California. What used to be a home for builders and ranchers has been turned into a district of shops and restaurants. However, private residences are also built in the area, so organized tours by the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society are offered just once a week.

  The Los Rios Historic District is also home to the O’Neill Museum, the former residence of saloon owner Jose Garcia. Now, it serves as the Historical Society’s headquarters, where all their photos, documents, and other valuable paraphernalia can be found.

• Zoomars at River Street Ranch
  Located in the Los Rios Historic District, Zoomars at River Street Ranch is a place where families with young children can enjoy being up close to animals. It is where one can safely play with horses, goats, sheep, and even a llama! Fun activities like pony rides and train rides to mining and digging also await the visitors of the Zoomars.

• Blenheim Equisports

  Blenheim Equisports in San Juan Capistrano, CA is the place to watch equestrian shows near the Pacific Coast. Admission to most shows is free, and spectators usually just bring blankets, folding chairs, and umbrellas. While in the area, visitors can go shopping, sightseeing, and play a round or two of golf.

Dining

Another benefit of buying a home for sale in San Juan Capistrano, CA, is that you’ll have easy access to some great dining options. Here are a few we’d recommend.

• Ramos House Cafe
  Located near the Los Rios Street train station, Ramos House Cafe not only offers appetizing Southern-style cuisine, but it also has a lovely dining area styled like a cozy garden. Their menu also changes seasonally so you may be pleasantly surprised when trying a new seasonal dish. What doesn’t change is the freshness of the herbs naturally grown in the cafe’s garden.

• Sundried Tomato Bistro
  For a taste of an authentic Californian eatery, the Sundried Tomato Bistro offers a wide variety of main dishes, soups, and salads. All foods are guaranteed to be fresh and organic, as they make everything from scratch. They even offer specials on different days of the week to make sure that diners will experience California cuisine but with a welcome twist.

• L'Hirondelle Restaurant
  Delectable Belgian-French cuisine can be found just across the Mission in L'Hirondelle Restaurant. The restaurant is fine dining done with a more relaxed ambiance. While the dishes are immaculately presented, they are also very hearty and you won’t be leaving feeling hungry. The restaurant has been serving quality food for 30 years now, with a “People’s Choice Best Entree” award under its belt.

Shopping

High-quality and affordable education with multiple schools from preschool up to collegiate years.

• Capistrano Unified School District
  The Capistrano Unified School District (CAPOUSD) has more than 42,000 students enrolled in distributed in its 63 schools and almost 5,000 employees. Despite the huge volume of students, CAPOUSD has a 96% graduation rate.

• Capistrano Valley Christian School
  San Juan Capistrano and its long history with missions have left the area a legacy of some great religious schools and one such school is Capistrano Valley Christian School (CVCS). In addition to world-class education, this institution also prides itself in teaching Christian education from junior kindergarten through Grade 12. Although relatively smaller than other schools in the town, CVCS is still home to more than 700 students.

• Fairmont Schools
  Located just a stone’s throw away from the Mission San Juan Capistrano is the Fairmont School. This is perfect for those who prefer a long-term relationship with an institution as it is one of the few private institutions in Orange County that offers preschool until Grade 12. While academically excellent, Fairmont also has a strong focus on sporting achievement as seen with the Fairmont Athletic Academy, designed to create athletes with strong values.