San Juan Capistrano — “The Soul of Old California.”
The story of San Juan Capistrano begins in 1776, when Spanish padres founded the Mission that would shape the region’s identity. Mission San Juan Capistrano still stands as the “Jewel of the Missions,” where art, faith, and history intertwine. Each March, the swallows return to celebrate spring’s promise, echoing the rhythms of centuries past. Beyond its adobe walls, Los Rios Street — California’s oldest neighborhood — hums with modern life: artisan cafés, local boutiques, and restored cottages that bridge past and present. It’s a place of peace and poetry, where California’s story continues to grow.