Mission San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano, Orange County's most historic landmark and the Birthplace of Orange County, serves as a living and learning environment. It promotes an appreciation for history and provides a place for faith, renewal, and celebration. Originally founded in 1776, it was the seventh of 21 missions in California and is known as the "Jewel of the California Missions." Today, it functions as a museum and a monument to California's multicultural history, embracing Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and European heritage. The mission offers various activities for visitors, including feeding koi fish, participating in hands-on crafts, and exploring the grounds, which feature original buildings like the Serra Chapel. It welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually and is dedicated to its preservation for future generations, serving as a center for inspiration, education, and preservation.