Beach Town is Magical Part of California’s History
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
If you’re looking to find old world charm, visit San Juan Capistrano. In this quaint SoCal beach town North of San Diego you’ll see a world-renowned mission that dates to the dawn of America.
Founded on November 1, 1776, by Spanish Catholic Franciscan missionaries, Mission San Juan Capistrano is at the heart of the town and is one of the jewels of the historic El Camino Real 600-mile route (marked by mission bells) that connects 21 California missions from San Diego to Sonoma.
San Juan Capistrano is one of SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti’s favorite places to explore, visit the mission, or to have lunch or dinner. The city prides itself on having the oldest neighborhood in California, the Los Rios Historic District, with adobe buildings still standing that housed workers who constructed the mission.
Described by locals as “a community that’s still evolving,” SJC gives off a magical aura that comes from the natural landscape that surrounds it and the Spanish architecture and open courtyards.
History buffs will want to visit the Serra Chapel, just down the street from the mission. It’s the only chapel still standing where St. Junipero Serra, known as the “Apostle of California” and founder of California’s missions, celebrated mass.
For dining and shopping there are numerous options…all within a short walk, on either side of the train tracks that run through the town. If you hear people talking or strange noises and no one’s there, don’t be surprised. For the past 200 years many have said that Los Rios Street is haunted and there’s even a ghost tour you can go on.
For a taste of the town, you might try any of the following.
Built in 1881, the Ramos House Cafe offers outdoor seating on a shaded patio and is known for its leisurely brunches, lunches and Bloody Mary cocktails.
For tea lovers the perfect place for “a cuppa” and more is The Tea House on Los Rios, an elegant 1911 cottage with a wrap-around veranda, that provides tea service from a lovely Garden Tea to The Royal Tea, complete with a glass of Champagne. Flaky scones, tea sandwiches, delicate pastries, salads and savory dishes are available. 
To find Trevor’s at the Tracks restaurant, just listen for a train whistle. Right in the middle of the historic district, Trevor’s is located inside the 1894 train depot and serves contemporary California dishes, with an emphasis on sourcing from local providers.
Or if you’re in the mood for Italian cuisine, Ciao Pasta offers gourmet Italian dishes with an authentic taste of Southern Italy.
While dining and savoring Italian wines you can gaze out at the mission across the street…and, depending on the season, maybe even see SJC’s renowned cliff swallows that nest in the mission’s eaves.
San Juan Capistrano is a bird sanctuary. Every year the cliff swallows leave in a swirling mass near the Day of San Juan on October 23rd and migrate to their vacation spot in Goya, Corrientes, Argentina, located 6,000 miles south.
The swallows faithfully return every spring to San Juan Capistrano around March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day.
It’s always magical to see the birds in flight. Their comings and goings attract over 300,000 visitors each year.
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