Located just north of San Diego, in the heart of Southern California, you will find the charming town of San Juan Capistrano. With a rich history extending back to the establishment of the mission in 1776, this small town is a must-see destination.
Although most visitors come to see the historical sights, they stay to enjoy the unique boutiques and world-class restaurants. A day in San Juan Capistrano gives visitors a glimpse of California life prior to its cities and highways. Travelers to San Juan never miss the opportunity to visit California’s oldest city, the Los Rios Historic District. Take a trip into the past by learning about life in this lovely town during the 18th and 19th centuries while strolling through the old mission grounds.
A richer history will be hard to find, as San Juan Capistrano offers visitors the ideal chance to explore the irreplaceable gems of old California. Take a look at our list of must-see sites in this quaint town and experience simpler times first-hand.
The 51 Most Popular Things To Do In San Juan Capistrano, California
51. Dana Point Historical Society
5.0 (1 review)
Location: 33282 Golden Lantern Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 8121
Web Address: http://danapointhistorical.org/
50. Laguna Woods History Center
3.0 (1 review)
Credit: Laguna Woods History Center, Google Maps
Location: 24266 Calle Aragon Laguna Woods CA
Tel: 949 206 0150
Web Address: http://lagunawoodshistory.org/
49. Colinas Ridge Trail
4.3 (3 reviews)
Credit: Kat Avila, License, Flickr
48. Coast Royale Beach
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: John Hatch, Google Maps
47. Oso Creek
4.5 (4 reviews)
Credit: Cory Smart, Google Maps
46. Arroyo Bird Park
5.0 (5 reviews)
Credit: Luke Chang, Google Maps
Location: San Juan Capistrano CA
45. Salt Creek
3.8 (5 reviews)
44. San Juan Creek
4.2 (6 reviews)
Credit: Nan Fry, License, Flickr
43. Goff Island
5.0 (7 reviews)
Credit: Halestorm, Google Maps
42. Cave Rock
4.9 (15 reviews)
Location: Unnamed Rd. Aliso Viejo CA
41. Aliso Creek
4.6 (20 reviews)
40. Ridgeline Trail-Camino Del Rio Trailhead
4.3 (20 reviews)
Credit: C.J. Reuter, Google Maps
Location: Camino del Rio San Clemente CA
39. Terramor Aquatic Park
4.7 (25 reviews)
Location: 26281 O’Neill Dr Mission Viejo CA
Web Address: https://laderalife.com/amenities/water-park/terramor-aquatic-park
38. Capistrano Beach Park
4.8 (31 reviews)
Location: 35005 Beach Road Dana Point CA
Web Address: http://ocparks.com/beaches/capistrano
37. Arroyo Trabuco Trail – O’Neill Regional Park
4.7 (31 reviews)
Credit: Alexander Loeza, Google Maps
Location: Trabuco Creek Road Ladera Ranch CA
Tel: 949 923 2260
Web Address: http://ocparks.com/parks/oneill
36. Mission Bell Park
4.5 (34 reviews)
Location: San Juan Capistrano CA
35. Descanso Park
4.4 (34 reviews)
Location: Paseo Adelanto San Juan Capistrano CA
34. Seaview Park Trail And Overlook
4.7 (43 reviews)
Credit: Bob Bretall, Google Maps
Location: Laguna Beach CA
Web Address: https://alltrails.com/trail/us/california/seaview-park-overlook-trail
33. Northwest Open Space
4.2 (45 reviews)
Credit: Cheri Saxon, Google Maps
Location: 30291 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano CA
32. Reata Park and Event Center
4.7 (46 reviews)
Credit: Tom Clevinger, Google Maps
Location: 28632 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 493 1171
Web Address: http://sanjuancapistrano.org/
31. Sycamore Creek Trail – Dana Point
4.7 (50 reviews)
Credit: Luke Chang, Google Maps
Location: 33856 33998 Del Obispo Street Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 3530
Web Address: http://danapoint.org/index.aspx
30. Del Obispo Community Park
4.5 (69 reviews)
Credit: Sofia ‘Sonya’ A, Google Maps
Location: 34052 Del Obispo Street Dana Point CA
Web Address: https://danapoint.org/department/general-services/parks/parks-trails/del-obispo-park
29. Dripping Cave Trail
4.5 (69 reviews)
Credit: John Treadwell, Google Maps
Location: Dripping Cave Trail Aliso Viejo CA
Tel: 949 923 2200
Web Address: http://ocparks.com/parks/aliso/
28. Lantern Bay Park
4.7 (73 reviews)
Credit: Kasia Voorhies, Google Maps
Location: 25111 Park Lantern Dana Point CA
Web Address: https://danapoint.org/department/general-services/parks/parks-trails/lantern-bay-park
27. Palisades Gazebo Park
4.7 (98 reviews)
Credit: Skye Gallagher, Google Maps
Location: 26401 Palisades Dr Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 3500
26. Sendero Field
4.6 (114 reviews)
Location: 29201 Ortega Hwy Rancho Mission Viejo CA
Tel: 949 625 6500
Web Address: http://ranchomissionviejo.com/
25. Historic Town Center Park
4.5 (121 reviews)
Credit: Michelle Wright, Google Maps
Location: 31872 El Camino Real San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 493 1171
24. Forster Ranch Community Park
4.5 (128 reviews)
Credit: Jaime Ruiz, Google Maps
Location: 3207 Camino Vera Cruz San Clemente CA
Tel: 949 429 8797
Web Address: https://funorangecountyparks.com/
23. Dana Cove Park
4.7 (133 reviews)
Location: Dana Point CA
Web Address: http://dpharbor.com/
22. Doheny State Beach
4.4 (134 reviews)
21. Salt Creek Beach
4.8 (139 reviews)
Web Address: http://thebeachcities.com/recreation/beaches-saltcreek.html
20. Cox Sports Park
4.5 (166 reviews)
Credit: Jorge terapista cortes, Google Maps
Location: 27623 Crown Valley Pkwy Ladera Ranch CA
Tel: 949 582 2414
Web Address: https://laderalife.com/amenities/parks/cox-sports-park
19. Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park
4.5 (187 reviews)
Location: 30952 Oso Pkwy Coto De Caza CA
Tel: 949 923 2265
Web Address: http://ocparks.com/parks/thomas
18. Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park
4.6 (194 reviews)
Credit: Dustin Hladek, Google Maps
Location: 30753 Avenida La Pata San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 371 6158
Web Address: https://theridingpark.com/
17. Founders Park
4.6 (205 reviews)
Location: 28275 Avendale Blvd Ladera Ranch CA
Tel: 949 218 0900
Web Address: http://laderalife.com/
16. Chapparosa Park
4.6 (263 reviews)
Credit: Florina Massbaum, Google Maps
Location: 25191 Chapparosa Park Road Laguna Niguel CA
Tel: 949 425 5100
Web Address: http://cityoflagunaniguel.org/Directory.aspx
15. Woods Cove
4.7 (298 reviews)
14. Creekside Park
4.6 (434 reviews)
Credit: Richard Schave, Google Maps
Location: 25743 Streetonehill Dr Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 248 3557
Web Address: https://danapoint.org/department/general-services/parks/parks-trails/creekside-park
13. West Street Beach
4.7 (440 reviews)
Web Address: https://californiabeaches.com/beach/west-street-beach/
12. Table Rock Beach
4.8 (450 reviews)
Web Address: http://tablerockbeach.com/
11. Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park
4.6 (711 reviews)
Location: 33401 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 923 2210
Web Address: https://ocparks.com/caspers
10. Pines Park
4.7 (720 reviews)
Location: 34941 Camino Capistrano Capistrano Beach CA
Tel: 949 248 3530
Web Address: http://danapoint.org/index.aspx
Our Top picks
9. Patriot Trail – Flag Pole
5.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: Joel Nasers, Google Maps
Location: F8JV+4M San Juan Capistrano CA
8. Los Rios Park
4.5 (39 reviews)
Credit: Susan S. McClellan, Google Maps
Location: 31791 Los Rios Street San Juan Capistrano CA
7. Salt Creek Trail
4.6 (55 reviews)
Credit: Luis Rivera, Google Maps
Location: 31535 31543 St of the Golden Lantern Laguna Niguel CA
6. Las Ramblas Trail Head
4.8 (130 reviews)
Credit: Elena Omelchenko, Google Maps
Location: Camino Las Ramblas San Juan Capistrano CA
5. Los Rios Street Historic District
4.6 (233 reviews)
Credit: Chaetodipus, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 31831 Los Rios Street San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 493 8444
4. Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano
4.8 (940 reviews)
Credit: Adam Jones, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 31520 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 234 1360
Web Address: http://missionparish.org/
3. Zoomars at River Street Ranch
4.3 (1,080 reviews)
Credit: Zoomars at River Street Ranch, Google Maps
Location: 31791 Los Rios Street San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 831 6550
Web Address: http://riverstreetranch.com/
2. Mission San Juan Capistrano, Landmark, Chapel, Museum and Gardens
4.8 (3,241 reviews)
Location: 26801 Ortega Hwy San Juan Capistrano CA
Tel: 949 234 1300
Web Address: http://missionsjc.com/
1. Doheny State Beach
4.6 (5,483 reviews)
Location: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr Dana Point CA
Tel: 949 496 6171
Web Address: http://dohenystatebeach.org/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in San Juan Capistrano, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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