Recognized as a monument to California's multicultural history, the Mission San Juan Capistrano, was founded more than 200 years ago as the 7th of California's 21 statewide missions. With a heritage belonging to the Native Americans, Europeans, Mexicans and the Spanish, the mission was built as a self-sufficient community by the Juaneno Indians and Spanish Catholics of the Franciscan Order on November 1, 1776. The name "San Juan Capistrano" was named after a 1400 theologian and warrior pries who lived in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Saint John.
Known as a public center for religions, industry, agriculture and education, with the mission growing 500,000-lb of wheat and 303,000-lb of corn, in addition to 740 horses, 14,000 head of cattle and 16,000 head of sheep in 1811. Today, the San Juan Capistrano Mission is famous for south-flying swallows on October 23 evey year, arriving back on March19 to build next nests of mud and saliva under the building eaves. Today there is a ten-year preservation program to stabilize the mission going on.
With mass still going on at the mission, visitors find many areas of interest on the grounds. Ten acres of cool fountains and lush gardens appeal to the senses in this warm climate, surrounded by old adobe walls to maintain an atmosphere of peace and quiet, almost like hallowed grounds with a welcome video playing every 10 minutes in the overview. Nearby are the Great Stone Church, the Cemetery, Padres Quarters, Serra Chapel, the Soldiers Barracks, and the Industrial Area for further enjoyment.
