Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA

Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA.
(7255)

Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.

Plan a visit to enjoy a new exhibit coming soon to the Mission. From Saturday, June 20 - Thursday, August 2, the Missio...
06/18/2026

Plan a visit to enjoy a new exhibit coming soon to the Mission.

From Saturday, June 20 - Thursday, August 2, the Mission will host “Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making,” on display in the historic Sala building.

This exhibition explores the stories, people, and myths that have shaped our understanding of Mexican California and its enduring legacy. Mission San Juan Capistrano’s Mexican period lasted from 1821 to 1848, ending with the Mexican American War (1846-1848) and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which forced Mexico to cede California to the United States.

Developed and organized by the California Historical Society and tours through Exhibit Envoy. Institutional support provided by San Francisco Grants for the Arts and Yerba Buena Community Benefit District.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is able to host this exhibition due to museum funding provided through private donations. To learn more about how to support preservation, please visit our website: https://www.missionsjc.com/preservation/

The above photo shows Antonio Francisco Coronel, wife Mariana (left), and unidentified young woman and man, 1887. Photographer unknown. Albumen print. Courtesy of the CHS Collection at Stanford.

Save the dates!Join us this summer for our lecture series in celebration of the Mission’s 250th anniversary. Dive deeper...
06/17/2026

Save the dates!

Join us this summer for our lecture series in celebration of the Mission’s 250th anniversary. Dive deeper into Mission history, preservation, archives, winemaking, and more!

📅Thursdays | June 25 - July 30, 2026
🕑2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
🎟️FREE for Mission Members or included with paid general admission

Our first lecture on June 25 features a presentation from Mission San Juan Capistrano’s Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams on the Mission’s enduring legacy and its role as a place of inspiration, education, and preservation for future generations.

Please RSVP to Marissa Medina at [email protected] prior to the lecture, as space is limited.

Mark your calendars and celebrate 250 years with us! For more information on the lecture series, visit our website: https://www.missionsjc.com/events/

“Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter.Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here.Here comes...
06/14/2026

“Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter.
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here.

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun.
And I say it's all right.”

— The Beatles, “Here Comes The Sun” (1969)

06/13/2026

And that’s a wrap on the 2025-2026 school year! 🍎

Thank you to each and every teacher, student, and parent who helped bring learning to life at Mission San Juan Capistrano this year by participating in our Remember the Builders® education program.

To every teacher who coordinated field trips, guided curious minds, and helped students connect with history in a meaningful way — thank you. Your dedication inspires the next generation to learn, discover, and preserve historic and sacred sites like Mission San Juan Capistrano.

2025-2026 School Year by the Numbers:

⭐ Total Field Trip Attendance = 56,143
⭐ Total Amount of Students Who Took an Enrichment Class = 39,227
⭐ Total Amount of Students Who Received Scholarships = 20,707

We wish all students, teachers, and families a restorative summer and look forward to welcoming familiar and new faces back next school year.

We are now accepting field trip reservations for the 2026-2027 school year. Scholarship funding is also available.

Book now for the best available dates and pricing >> link in bio

The annual Romance of the Mission benefit gala returns to Mission San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 18, while mar...
06/12/2026

The annual Romance of the Mission benefit gala returns to Mission San Juan Capistrano on Friday, September 18, while marking the historic landmark’s 250th anniversary.

This unforgettable evening supports the Mission’s preservation and education programs, bringing our community together in celebration of its rich history and enduring legacy.

We invite you to participate in this year’s Opportunity Drawing for the chance to win one of eight incredible packages, including a VIP Birthday Party Package gifted by Discovery Cube OC. Valued at $10,000, this experience allows you to invite 400 friends and family to celebrate your next special birthday at Discovery Cube Orange County, with private after-hours exclusive access to the entire facility, two live demonstrations, and party hosts to keep your party rolling smoothly. (Catering not included.)

Thank you to Discovery Cube OC for their generous and meaningful support of Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Opportunity Drawing tickets for the 2026 Romance of the Mission benefit gala may be secured by calling Jena McKinley at (949) 234-1326 or by emailing [email protected]. Proceeds from the Opportunity Drawing ticket sales directly support the Mission’s ongoing preservation efforts and educational programming. Winners do not need to attend or be present at the gala to win.

Music Under the Stars is just a couple weekends away! The summer concert series kickoff is Saturday, June 27 with Super ...
06/12/2026

Music Under the Stars is just a couple weekends away! The summer concert series kickoff is Saturday, June 27 with Super Diamond: The Neil Diamond Tribute.

Thank you to our generous sponsor CR&R Waste & Recycling who has been a longtime supporter of this historic Mission and the concert series and returns as a series sponsor this summer in honor of the Mission’s 250th anniversary.

With gratitude to all of our 2026 Music Under the Stars Sponsors:

F&M Bank
Inn at the Mission & The Griffith Family
CR&R Waste & Recycling
Cityside Fiber
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Jeanne and Greg Baird
Mary Jayne and Doug Pugh
Daisy and James Funk
Moshka Imports

And many thanks to our 2026 Music Under the Stars Committee:

Laura Baratta
Marnie Bloom
Susan Chaney
Sylvia Franson
Laura Freese
Chris Griffith
Linda Hakim
Dr. Michelle H**e
Evonne Morton

Tickets for June 27 are SOLD OUT. Limited tickets remain available for purchase for July 11 and July 25 concerts. Visit missionsjc.com for details.

“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” — Seals & Crofts, “Summer Breeze” (1972)📸 P...
06/07/2026

“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” — Seals & Crofts, “Summer Breeze” (1972)

📸 Photo credit:

Celebrating 250 years of Mission San Juan Capistrano with our Artifact of the Month program!For June’s Artifact of the M...
06/07/2026

Celebrating 250 years of Mission San Juan Capistrano with our Artifact of the Month program!

For June’s Artifact of the Month, we are featuring the saddle owned by John “Don Juan” Forster (1814-1882).

that one of California’s largest landowners once called Mission San Juan Capistrano home?

Don Juan Forster was one of Southern California's largest Mexican land grant holders, owning 200,000 acres of land in the early 19th century. In 1845, he purchased Mission San Juan Capistrano at auction from his wife Ysidora's brother, Pio Pico, who was then serving as Governor of California, for $710. For 20 years, Forster and his wife, and their six children, lived in the Sala and called the Mission home.

This beautiful Californio-style saddle demonstrated the wealth of the Forsters. Like other Californios, Forster used his large land holdings to raise cattle and became wealthy by trading hides and tallow with English and American merchant ships. Don Juan Forster likely purchased this saddle in the 1850s, and it stayed in the Forster family’s possession until the 1970s when Jerome Forster (1933-2012) placed it on loan temporarily with the Smithsonian Institute. He then placed it on a long-term loan to Mission San Juan Capistrano. Today, descendants from the Forster family like the late Tony Forster, Juan Forster, Pat Forster, and Alicia Forster-Eddy continue to be greatly involved and supportive of the Mission’s preservation and care.

🖼️ June’s Artifact: The Forster Saddle
📅 June 2 - July 5
📍 Mission Treasures Exhibit, West Wing

During your next visit to Mission San Juan Capistrano, be sure to visit the South Wing and Sala to learn more about this unique chapter in California mission history.

Visit our website to see the full lineup and exhibition dates: https://www.missionsjc.com/events/

Who's ready for summer at the Mission? ☀️ June brings an exciting lineup of new exhibits and special events as we contin...
06/06/2026

Who's ready for summer at the Mission? ☀️ June brings an exciting lineup of new exhibits and special events as we continue celebrating 250 years of history, culture, and community. Join us this month and all summer long to be part of this milestone year. Whether you're a first-time visitor or longtime friend of the Mission, there's something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see you at the Mission this summer!

Address

26801 Old Mission Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA
92675

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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