Mission San Juan Capistrano

What a beautiful, well maintained mission! Although there is now a fee to enter, it’s well worth the price. You can spend an hour or a day just walking the gardens and visiting the chapel. At the exit, there is a church store fulled with books, cards, collectibles, and other artifacts. It’s a fun outing! We are glad we took the time to visit!

The Mission grounds were absolutely beautiful and well worth admission. There was a self guided audio tour you could pick up as well with no additional cost. I highly recommend checking it out.

From the moment you walk, it exudes history. The landscaping throughout is lively and inspiring. Definitely gave me some ideas for my outdoor garden. Dog friendly, except inside exhibits. Preservation is top notch. Very clean grounds and not as packed as I expected it to be since it was Father's Day. Free audio guides available too! You learn a lot about history. I really enjoyed the church! It was jaw dropping.

This is a beautiful and well taken care of Mission. Lots of stories told here about the indigenous people and how this Mission was successful and created things for trade. This place takes you back in time and explains the story of the swallow. I live in the area now and bring friends here to enjoy the beauty!

Took my kids. They enjoyed learning the history and seeing the mission. Depending on the ticket you purchase it comes with a voice guide that you press the button and hear the story of what you are looking at. There’s numbers throughout the mission. It’s full of history. Lots of benches, butterflies, and a koi pond at the end. Along with a gift shop. Went on a Thursday probably walked by 6 other people.

This is a good place to visit if you are interested in California mission history. The original building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, and the church ruins and a variety of other original elements remain. Renovations in the 1970s brought reproductions of the many buildings, rooms, and a small chapel. There are beautiful gardens, and a museum gift shop. The swallows don't visit like they used to due to so much activity in the area. It cost $15 to enter, and we were there for about an hour

Such a beautiful landmark with tons of history. You pay admission fee which included 3 audio tours. The entire property has colorful spring flowers and the history of the Acachemen Native Americans along with the ruins of the great stone church. We enjoyed the exhibits, bell tower and chapel. I was not aware of the legends of the Swallows. We came a few days before the 19th. Plenty of grass and picnic tables on site. I assume people come and have picnics or even rent the venue. The entire place just gave positive vibes and felt very calming and spiritual. Parking may be difficult because it’s along the street.

So awesome! I went here for my field trip and it was so fun, just a lot of walking but a lot of benches! My group was having so much fun, I reviewed them and they all loved it! Would come again! Yet going there was a struggle on the bus😁 and we loved the fish🤑🤑 my favorite part was the big building in the picture and the chapel! I couldn't show the chapel since I only took a video😒

I visited the Mission the other day. I needed to review my year pass. I met so many helpful people from Donna at the entrance who assisted me with my renewal and then I went shopping in the beautiful Gift Shop. A sweet young lady helped me choose the perfect candle. The gift store is just filled with lovely gifts, things for kids and adults, something for everyone. Thank you everyone for being so welcoming.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful mission full of rich history. My husband and I got the Groupon deal for two and visited the mission on a Friday. The mission is easy to find as it's nestled in a quaint downtown area. The parking, on a Friday, was challenging but we did end up finding street parking for free. The mission itself is so gorgeous and rustic. The gardens and multiple koi fountains paint a tranquil experience. There are so many butterflies around as well- it all feels holy in a way. There are a ton of historical exhibits and you can listen to an audio as well as you walk around the mission. I found the whole experience very informative and interesting. The old church that was destroyed in the earthquake is a must see site; it's such an old piece of history. I highly recommend visiting the mission if you enjoy history and picturesque gardens. It's such a special treat.

The past brought back to life, you feel like you stepped back in time here. The mission is beautifully preserved with really informative displays and artifacts. They have a gorgeous koi pond, lots of trees, flowers and native plants. It was very hot but they had a lot of shaded areas. The lady at the front wasn't very happy to scan our Groupon tickets. Overall I learned a lot of valuable information here at the mission and was stunned at how hard religion was pushed onto the natives here in California. They converted hundreds of natives here as well as lots of baptizing. Worth a visit at least once.

I have driven by the exit and have driven by it when I needed to stop, but have never gone in. Perfect day to check it out! And the best thing is that they will allow well behaved dogs into the mission. Though they cannot go into any of the museum areas. They also have a small pet relief area. We slowly walked around. Sat in a shaded area near the old kitchen and garden area. Butterflies everywhere! We didn't do the guided tour, we just wanted to walk around and explore. Interesting architecture, and you will stop and realize that it's all very old and people, back in the day, walked the same pathways and stairs. Cako really loved looking around, and made friends with people who stopped to say hello. When we sat under this large shaded area near the front, she just greeted people who walked by. Then she laid down which she only does when she really likes a place. Either that or she was hot and tired...LOL! Great place to come to! Cako Approves!

Mission San Juan Capistrano is also known as the "Jewel of the Missions," this historic site is full of natural beauty and cultural significance. This is the seventh of the 21 California Missions. One of the most fascinating traditions associated with the Mission is the annual return of the swallows. Each year, around St. Joseph's Day (March 19th), these tiny birds migrate back from Argentina. While the numbers have dwindled over recent decades due to urban development, etc., the Mission still celebrates their symbolic return with festivals and educational events that honor both nature and tradition. They offer different tours. We recently enjoyed the VIP guided tour. We explored the wine vat, visited the private Sacristy of the Ruins, and touched the historic Mission bells! This is the up-close experience and definitely worth it. Parking here isn't the greatest because it's downtown, which is great to check out. If you have time, take the train to San Juan Capistrano to avoid traffic and parking. The Metrolink and Amtrak both stop in downtown San Juan Capistrano, so it's convenient. Stop by the Mission Store (it's quite large) and support the store, since the Mission is self-sustaining, it helps. My only "complaint," this Mission is very popular, and a lot of people take impromptu photoshoots and aren't entirely considerate. It's frustrating. The Mission is gorgeous, but also, be mindful of the guests enjoying the grounds.

We decided to go here as a family recently and it's beautiful Admission is $18 and you get a hand held device so that you can hear the audio It's a beautiful mission lots of amazing architecture and artifacts to explore. The grounds are beautiful with lots of flowers my grandson loved the scavenger hunt he did. He's was entertained and loved seeing all the butterflies The church is very pretty and peaceful Being Native American it's tough to see the history of the mission it's a heavy feeling It's a beautiful mission

I really had a good time exploring this mission. The mission grounds are beautiful. Great landscape and plenty of artifacts and display items to view. You can go at your own pace. I will say it's a little tricky to find parking for the first time but you can park in the street depending on the time of day. The gift shop has a better selection of items compared to others. It's amazing to see so much history , so close to home. Entrance is $18, but totally worth the price

This is a beautiful mission in the middle of SJC Its the oldest building in CA. You can either do the audio tour, or just the self guided tour. There are plenty of friendly workers that will answer your questions. Look for deals on admission before coming. Ask for food to feed the fish. This place has a lot of history and everyone should see it.

A step back into the history of Califorina surrounded by natural beauty of citrus trees, monarch butterflies, and the occasional sparrow what's not to like. The mission in San Juan Capistrano is beautiful Adobe architecture that is a must visit when spending the day there.

I hadn't been to the San Juan Capistrano Mission in decades. So I jumped on the train and went one Friday morning. It was very easy to access from the train station; maybe a 8 minute walk. Everyone is given a handheld device and at every exhibit there's a scan code. You scan the code and the device tells you all about the exhibit. It was a beautiful day and I saw lots of people eating on the grass or at the picnic tables; yes, you're allowed to bring food inside. It was a wonderful experience and I'm looking forward to going back

It felt like The Emperor's New Clothes. Everyone neglected to inform me that there is no mission here. There are beautiful grounds, a cloistered garden, and some mission bells, but people let's get real - there is no mission! Especially as the missions I am used to are walk right in kind of missions, redolent of the historic past, complete with candles, art, and flowers! To me, this historic site is also very over-produced. There is a fee to get in (most of the other California missions are free), and you have to exit through the gift shop, reminiscent of the theme of the Banksy film of the same name. We went courtesy of our stay at the nearby Inn at the Mission, so I didn't feel stung. The other mission I might compare it to is Soledad, which consists of a reproduction building of the chapel, similar to the chapel of Fr. Junipero Serra at San Juan Capistrano. The little chapel is like a mini-mission, and it does have all the elements of other, smaller missions throughout the state, We did visit the day after Swallow Day, the day that the birds return to the mission each year, and the gardens were in bloom as it was early spring. Lots of people were enjoying the grounds and taking photos. We liked our recorded tour, and horned in on a tour being conducted by a young docent that pointed out the location of the original basilica and a bronze model of the original church. We also saw reproductions of the original bells, and visited the cloistered garden. We did, literally, exit through the gift store, which was a well stocked store with lots of cute books and items for every age. The missions are the living history of the way that California was settled and of how people lived. They are also the repository of the earliest art and artifacts in the state, so this visit just fired me up to see what the rest of the missions have to offer!

Lovely grounds with beautiful architecture dating back 250 years! Rarely do we find much older history than that here in southern California. There's a lot of great information shared. Super informative and interesting!

Such a beautiful landmark with tons of history. You pay admission fee that included 3 audio tours. The entire property has colorful spring flowers and the history of the Acjachenen Native Americans along with the ruins of the great stone church. We enjoyed the exhibits, bell tower and chapel. I was not aware of the legends of the Swallows. We came a few days before the 19th. Plenty of grass and picnic tables on site. I assume people come and have picnics or even rent the venue. The entire place just gave positive vibes and felt very calming and spiritual. Parking may be difficult because it's along the street.

Total rip off $15 per person. It's a very beautiful garden though. Just depends if you want to invest in 30 mins walkthrough.

This mission is incredibly beautiful with friendly staff. I loved strolling through all the areas and smelling the flowers! This is a must see if you're in the area. Make sure to check out the lily ponds and old mission buildings on the far right when you walk in.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is my favorite mission to visit. Everytime I go, I am in awe of the architecture of the buildings, how simple the life was back then and how every year the cliff swallows show up. It's a great place to to learn about the history and enjoy a nice stroll in and around the mission.

The oldest standing building in California is known as the Jewel of the Missions, I because a jagged piece of Serra Chapel looks like singer Jewel's tooth. This mission, a mainstay for fourth grade field trips, is also considered the birthplace of Orange County, though I would have guessed by the name that it was Placenta.

Well worth a visit, both for the history and beauty (constructed and natural). The website says it's $9-18 for adults, but don't be fooled, it always seems to be $18. Same price in person as online. With admission you are given an audio device to learn more specifics. Parking can be challenging, especially on weekends (the lots are small and street parking is hard to come by). It was chilly when we visited, but the grassy courtyard (+ benches) would be a very nice place to relax on a warm, lazy day. There is a variety of absolutely beautiful plant-life, which all seemed to be in-season during our visit. The remnants of the Great Stone Church were quite intriguing. I originally thought the outdoor church had been excavated, but in reality it was the remains of the collapsed church that killed 40 parishioners from the 1812 earthquake. It's now retro-fitted so you can walk up to the walls.

It has been years since I have been there. 1 of numerous missions across southern California. Neat to see the history and see them up close. The price is like $27 or so to get in. There are a few assorted discounts for groups, etc. Definitely a good one to visit, along with some of the others that are within 50-60 miles.

Stunning, beautiful, peaceful place!!! Amazing!!!! We had a great day. I took so many pictures, beautiful weather. If you have not been here it's a must see. I would suggest going before it gets hot in California. Lovely gift shop. San Juan Capistrano is a beautiful area, great town, lots of Restaurants. The Mission is very special.

I love going to Missions. I think in general I enjoy learning about history. I have been to several already. I have a missions passport and this one is the closest. The mission has guides you can listen to. I have come here several times and it's great to use that. This time around I came here for a field trip with a class. Overall, our guide was helpful and the kids had fun. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

This was such a beautiful place to visit, the picture don't do justice. The views everywhere are stunning! The mission was founded in the 1700s and they have done an amazing job preserving the statues, the art, the architecture. The aesthetic is a beautiful Spanish colonial style and mission has several little chapels. When you walk around you will see koi ponds, flowers, and roses planted throughout. Butterflies everywhere as well as cute spots for photos. It's such a big mission filled with art and so many rooms to explore and learn about the history and the culture. When you are inside the mission you will feel as if you were transported to a different time. There is such a peaceful, warm and serene energy all around. The mission also has the cutest little gift shop and it's not just religious gifts. You will find a little of everything. This mission would be a great spot for date night, engagement photos, or even a proposal. I can't wait to visit again.

I've been to the Mission before, but I came back this time for the Capistrano Lights Christmas event. Capistrano Lights at the Mission is a beautiful blend of history, religion, holiday cheer, and family fun! The historic setting adds so much charm to the experience, and walking through the grounds adorned with twinkling lights truly feels like stepping into a winter wonderland. The event is well-organized, with Selfies with Santa, a craft station to make one of a kind wooden ornaments and a tree lighting with live music. I personally loved the prayer candles. It felt really peaceful and brought back to life the real meaning of Christmas. A couple reasons I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that there wasn't a ton of things for kids other than some selfie areas and $7 wooden ornaments. It would be nice to add maybe a cookie decorating section, beaded necklaces, or something else that is interactive. Also, the parking can be a bit difficult in this area. Be prepared to circle around and potential walk a little. That said, it's still a must-visit event for families and anyone who loves holiday lights! The Mission's rich history combined with the seasonal decorations makes it a unique and memorable outing. We'll definitely be back next year!

Swallow season is here! Visit for the swallow migration, tour just to see the lovely landscaping, and check out the chapel inside. The grounds are kept well and there are blooming flowers all over the place. The paths are dotted with golden poppies and various indigenous plantlife. You'll find calla lilies in the fountains, trumpet flowers beside pathways, orange trees near the entrance, and lots of other delightful wildlife. A must see in San Juan Capistrano!

I use to come here for school field trips and now I'm taking my kid here. We came on a Saturday morning and there were plenty of paid parking nearby. We spent about an hour here and my 5 year old didn't complain it was boring. It did help the staff gave them a scavenger hunt list to do. The grounds are beautiful, lots of history and the staff are excellent! I look forward to coming back here again.

We had a spontaneous weekend trip to Mission San Juan. We luckily arrived around 3pm to go on a walk at this historical monument. It was $18/person for a self guided tour. It was absolutely beautiful!

What a beautiful place to take photos, there was like 3 different weddings happening today so it was quite busy. But so worth it when you first walk in there is a beautiful garden and you see this amazing fountain with so many lily pads with koi fish so beautiful. There's so much history here it's definitely a beautiful place to visit even just once! It was such a gorgeous day out today so it made it even more lovely to go see beautiful flowers and see some history. I saw some of my yelp friends have made reviews about coming here. I'm so happy we were able to experience it today! Definitely recommend coming just once cute little area, finding parking was a little difficult they have street parking but it was all taken so we parked across the way. Either way recommend coming here we did pay to get in but they apparently have free days lol! Thank you for being friendly too when we paid to get in. It was a really wonderful experience! Have a beautiful day :) Aloha

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of those rare places where time doesn't just stand still. It whispers. Built in 1776, it has seen empires rise, earthquakes rumble, and the slow sprawl of suburbia press in. And yet, it endures. Stoic. Sun-drenched. Spellbinding. I've been to more events here than I can count. Concerts. Wine festivals. Candlelit dinners beneath the bougainvillea. Every single one felt like a secret shared. But even without the crowds and clinking glasses, just walking the grounds is a quiet kind of wonder. Fountains murmur beside manicured gardens that look like they were painted by Monet's ghost. Patios stretch wide and warm, each corner begging you to sit and stay awhile. I've traveled throughout Europe and stepped into countless chapels. Some grand. Some gaudy. Few match the beauty and quiet magic of this place. The chapel here, where Junípero Serra once preached, feels like something sacred still lingers in the air. It's not just old. It's alive. Parking is easy. The admission is a bargain. Spend a day inside these adobe walls and you'll leave changed. In a state obsessed with what's next, Mission San Juan Capistrano might just be California's greatest historical monument. Because it remembers.

We visited the San Juan Capistrano Mission during the Swallows Day Parade, and it was such a beautiful experience! The Mission itself is stunning -- full of history, gorgeous gardens, and peaceful courtyards. It made the perfect backdrop for a fun family day. The Swallows Day Parade was lively and festive, and exploring the Mission afterward was the perfect way to soak in the spirit of San Juan. Such a memorable day for the whole family!

Wonderful to see some California history here. Lovely touring grounds and you can either do an audio tour or stroll on your own. Beautiful grounds and very helpful signage guide you through the exhibits. Give yourself about 90 minutes and you'll be fine.

A national treasure. The mission at San Juan de Capistrano is a must see for anyone traveling to California and interested in culture and history. This uniquely preserved mission has many points of national significance. It can be said the US wine industry began here when the Spanish priests brought the first vines to California. And the rest is history. It is worth mentioning that this is still under the auspices of the Catholic Church and the active chapel is still a consecrated church, hats off for gentlemen... The self guided tours are instructive and made easy by audiophones available at no cost at the entrance. Truly, one amazing experience.

300 year old Mission in the heart of downtown San Juan Capistrano. Adult admission is $18. There are discounts for military and first responders. The tour is self guided and there are a telephone looking contraption including in your admission that you can listen yo the audio tour on. Highlights: -the beautiful chapel -koi fish in the fountain -the ruins -farm/grape area -bells I spent about 90 minutes here and saw everything.

When my kids were little, we came here for a field trip, but I never reviewed it. This is the oldest building in California and it is so beautiful! It's like an ancient ruin. There are a lot of people here today and it's in cute little San Juan Capistrano. I did some meditating in the beautiful sacred garden. It's very peaceful when you get away from the crowds You should come and check it out!

What a wonderful mission. All parking surrounding area is 2 bucks an hour. But everything is closely located and walkable. The mission was nice and the provided audio tour sticks were helpful too. It was both educational and a solace place. Will bring visitors and recommend.

We loved our visit. The grounds and the structures are beautiful and well-maintained. We hope this historically important site continues to be here for all to see.

I'm into religious things and artifacts and I absolutely love this place. Lots of things to walk around and see also make sure you do the audio tour option that is included. The gift shop has lots of cool religious gift items that you won't find other places. Amazing place with hundreds of years of history and really tells the story of how much of the United States was built. Also good place to stop and see some prayers if you're in the area.

I took family to see the Field of Honor over Memorial Day weekend. The gardens were in full bloom and the 450 U.S. flags were an awesome sight flapping in the mild breeze. An inspiring way to remember those who sacrificed for our country in military service or as first responders. Great partnership effort between Mission Sa Juan Capistrano and Homefront America!

This has been on my list for over a decade. Finally did it My woman's group took the train from San Diego The tickets were easy to buy online The mission is beautiful and informative. The chapel is gorgeous and awe inspiring. Gift shop was nice and not over priced. The landscape is beautiful and the fountains are gorgeous. Definitely a must do for a day trip 10/10 recommend

Great place to spend the afternoon. Lovely surroundings and the gift shop always has unique items.

I know we all had to do a mandatory Mission trip/project back in elementary school but there's definitely a newfound appreciation for them when you get older. Mission San Juan Capistrano is probably one of the more awesome missions in that a significant amount of it is restored and preserved, and there's the bonus of swallows nesting in a part of the mission. But anyhow, it's got a rich history and plenty of pretty nature to enjoy. Admission isn't too expensive and you can find plenty to appreciate here. The chapel was probably the most Reverent and awe inspiring part of the mission for me. You'll almost experience a different world the moment you step inside. But otherwise, maybe I won't spoil the rest of the mission too much, just come and enjoy a piece of history in California!

Such an awesome place. It took about 2 hours total to go thru the whole thing. Such beauty and great history behind this place. The staff was very friendly. Come here with your family to learn beautiful history about the Missionaries and take pictures of beautiful architecture.

Scheduled a VIP tour of the historic landmark for a pre-father's day celebration with my family. The communication with the staff (Jane especially) was amazing. The entire historic site is magnificently maintained only by volunteers. Our initial tour guide was to be Gary, which we're sure he would've been great, but we had beautiful young lady named Melanie instead. OMG! Her presentation was brilliant, had the knowledge and information of someone that you thought was raised in the 1700's. She answered all our questions thoroughly, even recommending local restaurants depending on our cravings. The VIP tour is well worth the visit and Melanie is awesome.

Beautiful place.You can walk around take pictures relax pray read the story behind all this beauty.At the end you can visit there gift shop nice stuff low to high prices

Back in elementary school, there was that Mission project that almost every school I know does... and my parents did not take me to the missions. Not blaming them or anything, they might not have understood the cultural significance or importance of the project... but now that I am an adult I want to check out all of the missions that I come near. While planning a South OC adventures day, my date and I decide to stop by Mission San Juan Capistrano before heading down to our main destination parasailing in Dana Point. I'm not sure where people typically park, but we got really lucky as we approached that there was this spacious huge spot for street parking and there wasn't even a meter to pay or anything. There aren't much street parking, so I'm not sure where else you can park. Admission - Pricing: $10/Youth (ages 5-17) $15/Seniors (ages 60+) $18/Adults (ages 18-59) $16.47/4th Grader Package We received these listening devices for a self-guided audio tour but the wand was not very user friendly and the audio was too low even at the highest volume, so we decided not to use it. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded by Junipero Serra on November 1, 1776 as the 7th of 21 missions to be established in California by the Spanish. It was established to expand the territorial boundaries of Span and to spread Christianity to the native people of California. According to one of the exhibits, they said the Spanish government would help support the Mission for 5 years, but then after that the Mission would be expected to support themselves through their own efforts and followers donations. Interestinggggggg! Upon entering you will find yourself in their garden. They have many beautiful fountains, vibrant flowers, Monarch butterflies, lizards, and little things on display throughout. South Wing Museum Rooms - These feature the Life as a Padre. Their daily schedule is pretty fixed with prayers, mass, ringing the bells, meals, work, and office work. West Wing Museum Rooms - A homage to the Acjachemen Native Americans who were in this land before the Spanish came along. This exhibit showed their crafts, tools and way of life. I was saying if I was in that time period, I think I can take up basket weaving as a profession and trade my basket for food and things. Serra Chapel - Beautiful interior, but please remember it is a place of worship and be respectful. There was many status and vibrant art works. I tend to think of Christianity as monotheistic but this chapel seems to have many entities on display. I don't understand it in fully but I can appreciate the artistic beauty. Industrial Area - The padres seem to be very self sufficient with their own gardens, kitchen, cloth making areas. It was interesting to walk through to see how people once lived before the luxuries we are blessed with today. We basically walked through everything featured on the map and took a final loop just to make sure we didn't miss out on any features/attractions. One weird thing is Mission Basilica, they said you must go off site and enter from Camino Capistrano, which we did... but we didn't see anything, or it was closed when we came. It is observed that if I was fortunate enough to be a mom one day... I would probably be making my kid/kids take pictures all over to capture the memories. Wow! I couldn't even deny it. Ahh, and one more warning for the audience who plans to come here. Wear some sensible shoes. The grounds are old and very uneven. Building code did not exist when this place was built. Also for my tall friends, the door heights are really low, maybe people used to be shorter back then but be careful not to hit your head. A nice visit, but we passed through quicker than I thought we would. From what I can recall from the other Missions I've been to, Mission San Juan Capistrano is not as nice as Mission Santa Barbara or Mission San Luis Obispo, but nicer than my visit to Mission Santa Clara.

Pure part of local history. Insightful guides and a great day trip experience. Close to the heart of old town as well.

If you have an opportunity to see the summer concerts at the San Juan mission. " music under the stars." You really must get your tickets . We enjoyed the Derek Bordeaux band last night. Classic Motown... the place was packed. Everyone was dancing perfect weather. The nice thing about the concerts at the mission is you can bring all your own food drinks candles, table cloths they don't sell food they do sell coffee and water I believe so you're able to bring whatever you like. We ended up bringing a rather large charcuterie board. It was a great evening with friends. These tickets sell fast so you have to get them way before the season and you can purchase them online, it's such a wonderful fun summer experience in San Juan Capistrano at the historical mission

It was a beautiful experience. The gardens. The architecture. The history. They provided an Audio Guide to each spot in the SIC MISSION, which made everything much more interesting.

I can't believe I've never reviewed the mission! We come here at least once a year if not more. We usually come midweek so a lot of the doors are closed but on weekends you get to see a lot more. The garden is really beautiful all through spring and summer. A lot less foliage in winter and there are a lot less fish (or at least this time there were only a few) and almost no water lily flowers. This place is really gorgeous for the architecture and for taking photos (but if you have as professional photographer you'll have to pay for a permit ahead of time). If you plan to visit multiple times a year you may want to consider the membership. Members also get to go to special events but those events sell out so fast we never got a chance to attend.

Visiting the Missions of California offers an important historical perspective of Spanish influence here. This particular Mission is one of the most beautiful I've seen and provides a glimpse into daily life and rituals when it was active. There is so much one could post here, but I will defer to a fellow Yelper and recommend that you read J David H's 3/28/21 post. He offers some interesting history spanning multiple centuries as well as breathtaking photos. I've added photos to highlight the beauty and serenity of this place and to compliment the groundskeepers on how extraordinarily well they maintain it.