Mission San Juan Capistrano

Rich and I were in Long Beach, CA, when we decided we couldn't leave California without seeing
a mission. We drove down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for as far as we could, before we
turned southwest towards the mission.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.

We learned that it was founded in 1776 by Fr. Junipero Serra. It is one of 21 missions, in California, that have been restored and can be visited by the public.

Rich had previously studied about the missions and told me that they were spaced 1 days ride apart, by horseback

The missions brought many other things, besides Christianity to California such as livestock, fruits, flowers, grains and industry. This mission is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Rich and I paid a modest fee of $7.00 each to enter the mission grounds

We were greeted by the 200 year old adobe buildings of the mission, beautiful gardens, just filled with cactus and a huge variety of flowers of all colors and sizes. We also found the most peaceful atmosphere there. We were offered a guided tour by mission staff but chose instead to walk around, the 10+ acres, on our own.

We toured the original Serra Chapel, Padres Quarters, Industrial Area, Soldiers Barracks, Cemetery
and The.

There was plenty of information in every area, that gave us insight in the lives of the Padres and the Indians that built the mission.

One of the prettiest sights was the Bell Wall. There were many of us set up to take pictures. We also enjoyed watching a number of artists, set up with their easels.

In addition to taking pictures of the architecture and the flowers, there was a very pretty pond with fish in it
and untold numbers of birds, including hummingbirds and a variety of butterflies.

There are of course many ways to get there, but, to share with you .I have borrowed the directions to the mission from their web site. They are as follows:Directions From The North From the Los Angeles area take the 5 South to the second San Juan Capistrano exit, which is Ortega Highway. Turn right off the freeway onto Ortega Highway. The Mission is straight ahead 2 ½ blocks on the right. Directions From The South From the San Diego area take the 5 North to the second San Juan Capistrano exit, which is Ortega Highway.

Turn left off the freeway onto Ortega Highway. The Mission is straight ahead 2 ½ blocks on the right. From the San Bernardino area take the 215 South to the 91 West to the 55 South to the 5 South. Take the second San Juan Capistrano exit, which is Ortega Highway. Turn right off the freeway onto Ortega Highway. The Mission is straight ahead 2 ½ blocks on the right. If you are on the 15 South take it to the 91 West to the 55 South to the 5 South. Take the second San Juan Capistrano exit, which is Ortega Highway. Turn right off the freeway onto Ortega Highway. The Mission is straight ahead 2 ½ blocks on the right.