Mission San Juan Capistrano and Cultural Center
add photos5 Reviews for Mission San Juan Capistrano and Cultural Center
77
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'11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Seems more kid-friendly"
We recently got a membership at the SJC Mission ($50) for our family plus guest passes. The gardens are beautiful for strolling and personal photography. The kids love the koi fish in the fountains and the Mission Resource room where there are all sorts of hands-on activities. My kids are 5 and 9 - and they request this outing often. On our first trip, we did the free audio tour which is pretty fun (an adult version and kids version). I can see coming here with a toddler and wandering the grounds to see what they can discover while you take in the historic significance of everything. Then go outside and stroll around downtown San Juan and the train station area (Los Rios neighborhood).
On our visit they had an awesome Lewis and Clark exhibit for the kids and I learned a lot as an adult (again, lots of things to touch).
Download the "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" by the Ink Spots before you go. My kids love when I tie a field trip in with music.
The gift shop has some great resource workbooks for kids who are doing Mission projects (plus the model kits).
The outing will probably take an hour or two, depending on patience. There are restrooms in the front corner of the property.
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0 families found this helpful
"San Juan Capistrano Mission"
We enjoyed this one a LOT! It's outdoors, so definitely go when there's good weather, but it also makes it a lot more fun for the kids, who probably have no idea what a mission event is (mine was 2 when we went). That being said, as an adult I loved it!
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
This “jewel of the missions” was founded on November 1, 1776, by Father Junípero Serra and is seventh in his famous chain of twenty-one missions along the California coast. On your self-guided walk through history, you will first enter the Serra Chapel, the oldest building still in use in California; then tour the ruins of the Great Stone Church, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812; and view the padres’ quarters, soldiers’ barracks, an Indian cemetery, and the mission kitchen.
You can also view the site of an ongoing archaeological dig as well as revel in the majestic gadens. Even the crankiest toddlers seem to unwind here.
Today the mission is famous for the swallows that arrive every March 19 (St. Joseph’s Day) and leave on October 23. These remarkably constant birds fly approxmately 6,000 miles from Goya, Argentina, to nest and rear their young in San Juan Capistrano. As early as 1777, a record of their return was first noted in the mission archives, spawning ceremonies and celebrations each year since (not to mention the celebrated song “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano”).
2 families found this helpful
"Fabulous Mission & California History"
They have done a great job of keeping this mission in good repair. The grounds were beautiful. The educational passport used to teach the kids about the mission was so much for my kids. They have kept their passports and continue to quiz each other about the mission. Great way for kids to see and learn a part of California history.
0 families found this helpful
"My favorite of all the missions"
I still remember visiting this mission during 4th grade as part of a state history assignment. I was able to back with my own kids, it was still just as nice of an experience. Lots of history to learn about and the gardens are so lovely. It is particularly worth going to the mission when the swallows are arriving or leaving.
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