Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Copy Link
San Juan Capistrano is the site of a Catholic mission for which it is named, Mission San Juan Capistrano. When the Mission was founded in 1776, the religion was populated by the Acjachemen band of Native Americans, called Juaneños by the Spanish. The mission was named after Giovanni da Capistrano (1386-1456).
The city is the site of California’s oldest residential neighborhood, Los Rios. It is also the home of the oldest in use building in California, the Serra Chapel in the Mission. The area was the site of both the first vineyard and first winery in California.
San Juan Capistrano is also known for its cliff swallows. The protected birds return during migration, which originates in the town Goya, Argentina, around St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) each year. The day is celebrated by the city’s annual Swallows’ Day Parade and other festive events. The swallows leave around October 23, the former feast day of St. John Capistrano.
