A Tour of San Juan Capistrano, California: Home of the Swallows and a Famous Mission

San Juan Capistano is a moderately sized community of around 35,000 just inland from Dana Point and north of San Clemente at the southern end of Orange County, California.

A 35 minute drive (no traffic) from Carlsbad gets you to this charming historical town to enjoy the shopping, dining, and of the course the famous San Juan Capistrano mission. The town's collection of historical sites, buildings/homes, and artifacts in addition to the charm and beauty of Southern California makes a day trip very worthwhile. 

Located just off the 5 freeway (and on both sides), the town is known both for the swallows and the Mission San Juan Capistrano established by Father Junipero Serra in 1776, the 7^th of the California missions. There is an extensive history behind the growth and development of this historic town with its roots as a Franciscan settlement. 

READ MORE:

Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside - A Bit of California History

San Juan Capistrano website  

A strong sense of history remains amidst the trappings of the 21^st century - Starbucks, upscale shopping and multiple restaurants (Sarducci's at the old railroad depot, which is still a stop for Amtrak heading north and south) merge with antique shops the Los Rios historic District (with several dozen board and batten homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s), Zoomars (a petting zoo), and the mission in the heart of it all.

The Old Barn Antique Mall is a large building with 5 rooms filled to the brim with an incredible array of antiques and collectibles, sure to please even the choosiest antique-er. One can easily spend hours wandering the dozens of vendors stalls. 

And of course the town's history of its cliff swallows which leave and return annually on March 19^th with great expectation and much festivity. We weren't there to witness them, of course, but it would be a fun trip too.  

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits