San Juan Capistrano is conveniently located in Southern California, just 55 miles south of Los Angeles and 66 miles north of San Diego, making it an easy and accessible destination for a day trip. Whether you drive or take the train, San Juan Capistrano welcomes you with history, charm, and plenty of activities for all ages.
Table of Contents
- Getting to San Juan Capistrano
- Getting Started: Los Rios Park
- Morning Coffee at Hidden House Coffee
- Animal Encounters at Zoomars at River Street Ranch
- Lunch at Trevor’s at the Tracks
- Discovering History at Mission San Juan Capistrano
- A Nostalgic Stop at The Old Barn Antique Mall
- Where to Stay in San Juan Capistrano
Getting to San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is refreshingly simple to reach. By car, it’s located right off Interstate 5, making it an easy drive from Los Angeles (55 miles) or San Diego (66 miles). For a more relaxed trip, take the Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink train, both of which drop you off in downtown San Juan Capistrano, steps away from the main attractions. Public transit and rideshare options are also readily available, letting you enjoy the journey stress-free.
Getting Started: Los Rios Park
Address: 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Parking is plentiful on all sides of downtown. We parked near the Los Rios Park – there are large parking lots on both the east and west side of the park. West side parking lot fills up first, we just happened with directions to pop ourselves onto the east side of the park and on a Thursday morning and it was nearly empty.
Walk through the park – if you have littles, you’ll end up playing at the large play structure whether you intended to or not. There were a number of homeless scattered throughout the park, but they seemed to stay clear of the playground area, and I didn’t see any problems arise.
Morning Coffee at Hidden House Coffee
Address: 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
After the required playground delay, head straight to Hidden House Coffee, a cozy historic home, renovated into a welcoming, relaxed coffee house. Ample seating outside under blossoming trees that canopy and allow pockets of light and shade.
This might be one of my favorite coffee houses of all time. I could spend every morning here, and the coffee is strong and delicious. They even have milk alternatives such as oat or almond for those of us that need to limit our dairy intake. Now if you were smarter than me, then you’d navigate here first and THEN head to the park. (Hindsight!)
After getting your caffeine fix, and a delicious pastry, walk down the alley to the left (if you are facing the coffee shop), and head down to the best laid out petting zoo I’ve ever seen.
Animal Encounters at Zoomars at River Street Ranch
Address: 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Zoomars is a must-visit for families, offering a well-designed petting zoo with pony rides, a mini train, tractor rides, and more. You can even feed the animals or try gem mining. Plan your activities ahead on their website for a seamless experience.
Pay for entry into the petting zoo (for current prices look up on the website at Zoomars at River Street Ranch), and if you desire, there are add-ons : pony ride, train ride, mini tractor ride, bucket of veggies for feeding animals, and mining for jewels.
We did the pony ride, veggies, and mining. The train and tractors are really geared to the youngest of visitors, and although my 5yo would have enjoyed them, it wouldn’t have been worth the money, and wasn’t needed. The other activities were perfect!
Self guided petting zoo – wander at will. We started out with the Guinea pig exhibit. Oh my watching those crazy little critters running amuck was hilarious and adorable. Then they let you sit on the bench and hand you a little fluff ball to cuddle and feed. So fun!!
Next we went and visited the pigs, emu, rabbits, goats, sheep, alpaca and llama, and cow. His favorites were the rabbits and alpaca; I fell in love with the cow and pigs.
Then he was ready for the pony ride and it was a short, mellow guided ride and they bring your kiddo around the farm to where you have a perfect photo op spot for parents. Then back around to the stable where you started.
After that we went to the included playground and got rid of some extra energy. When I could tear him away from that, he wandered through the colorful false store fronts display.
We were ready for our treasure at the end of our journey here: Mining for Jewels. The staff open up a preset bag full of dirt and gems and guided him through how to sift them in the water and then collect the gems and look at the card of pictures of the possible gems and see what you got! They were so sweet, this staff is phenomenal and so personable and patient with the kiddos! They even gave my kiddo a couple shark teeth and found a few extra gems he was hopeful for, and tossed those in. They give you a bag to keep your treasures in as you head out.
We could have been there all day, but were getting hangry.
Pro Tip: You can come and go as you please, if you needed lunch or a better bathroom than the outhouses. This would be a great option if you have a few days to explore San Juan Capistrano, or if you choose to skip a few of the following activities.
Lunch at Trevor’s at the Tracks
Address: 26701 Verdugo St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
We went back past the Hidden House Coffee, and crossed the railroad tracks, watched some trains and then ate at Trevor’s at the Tracks on the recommendation of a local mom I met at Zoomar’s.
Trevor’s has a perfect location in the old historic train depot. Their courtyard patio with views of the trains going by is magic for kids, and the gorgeous brick walls and courtyard, sunshine, and amazing food and cocktails is magic for the adults.
They have kids items available (not listed online) and I found the poke nachos pair with wine heavenly. Looking at the meals brought out around me, I truly don’t feel you can go wrong with their menu. Staff is helpful, attentive and welcoming.
Other highly recommended restaurants in the area: The Ramos House Cafe, Rancho Capistrano Winery, El Cafe Real, and Ellie’s Table-Egan House.
Discovering History at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Address: 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
The crown jewel of the city, Mission San Juan Capistrano, was founded in 1776 and remains a stunning historical and cultural landmark. Take your time exploring the serene gardens, arched walkways, and museum exhibits. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop for unique treasures.
Now here’s the real crown jewel of San Juan Capistrano. The Mission itself, was established in 1776. Mission San Juan Capistrano is a place I’ve had on my list, knew I would enjoy it, but truly I thought I was just checking something off my list. Boy, was I wrong! This site is absolutely stunning.
From the gardens, to the hallways and arches, to the historical content, it leaves you in awe and is a photographer’s dream. It is no shocker that 2 wedding parties were present at different parts of the mission grounds for photos during the time we were there. I also didn’t expect my child to enjoy it so thoroughly, he truly didn’t want to leave after a few hours!
There is a scavenger hunt paper that keeps the little’s actively searching for random items, and an audio tour (Guided tours were closed at the time we visited). The audio tour was helpful for getting more information out of certain artifacts and structural areas, and take your time wandering the walkways inside and outside of the buildings.
The museum store is a treasure of items, and if you are religious, you will truly enjoy perusing the small shop. Check out their website with the link above for more information on the sites, tours, calendar of events, and even mass hours.
Be prepared to dedicate a few hours at the very least here, and don’t hesitate to bring the whole family. There is something for everyone here. So much so, that it is now got me thinking that Reese and I need to tour more California Missions in the future.
A Nostalgic Stop at The Old Barn Antique Mall
Address: 31792 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Not typically a fan of antiquing, this spot is a delightful maze of nostalgia. My son had so much fun with the scavenger hunt at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, that we continued that playfulness and played “I-Spy” throughout this, looking for Mickey Mouse, and various other characters, which allowed me to enjoy looking around rather than just drag him around. Still a “hold the hand of your tot” type of store, but we had a great time looking around.
There is so much more to explore in San Juan Capistrano, but I hope this list entices you to check out a few of my favorites and explore this easily walkable old town area.
Where to Stay in San Juan Capistrano
- Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano, Autograph Collection
Address: 31692 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
A boutique hotel near the Mission featuring lush gardens, a tranquil pool, and a spa. - Best Western Capistrano Inn
Address: 27174 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
A budget-friendly option with spacious rooms and complimentary breakfast. - Residence Inn by Marriott Dana Point San Juan Capistrano
Address: 33711 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Family-friendly suites with kitchenettes, perfect for longer stays.
San Juan Capistrano truly has something for everyone, from fascinating history to family-friendly adventures. Whether you’re visiting for a day or staying longer, this charming town will leave you wanting more.
