Mission San Juan Capistrano is Famous for its Swallows

Named Mission San Juan Capistrano
for Saint John of Capistrano, Italy

Interesting Facts about Mission San Juan Capistrano

• Mission San Juan Capistrano is the only one to be founded twice

• The swallows return to Mission San Juan Capistrano every year around March 19

• Mission San Juan Capistrano is sometimes called "Jewel of the Missions" because of its beauty

• The small chapel at Mission San Juan Capistrano is the only place still standing in California where Father Serra said mass
  

Mission San Juan Capistrano Chronology

1775 - First founded Mission San Juan Capistrano
1776 - Re-founded by Father Serra
1797 - New church started
1806 - New church completed
1811 - Most successful year at Mission San Juan Capistrano
1812 - Population 1,361
1812 - Earthquake destroys church, kills 40
1835 - Secularization
1849 - Gold Rush
1850 - California statehood
1863 - Mission San Juan Capistrano returned to Catholic church

Getting to Mission San Juan Capistrano