Places to Go

This campground is located 3,300 feet above sea level. Amenities include piped-in water, fireplaces, picnic tables and chemical toilets. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash. This campground, near trailheads to the San Juan and Chiquito Trails, is the gateway to some beautiful backcountry hiking in the Santa Ana Mountains.

Just a few blocks south of Mission San Juan Capistrano, and just a few doors from the town's famous restaurant, El Adobe, stands the Garcia Adobe. The Garcia Adobe has two stories, constructed Monterey-style, and was built in the 1840s by Manual Garcia, a merchant from Portugal.

Across the tracks west of the Amtrak Depot is the Los Rios Historic District, the oldest neighborhood in California. Visitors can take self-guided walking tours of the district and see numerous historic homes, browse through the quaint shops and stop for lunch. Every Sunday at 1 p.m., a guided tour is given, beginning at El Peon Plaza across the street from the mission.

Founded more than 200 years ago, Mission San Juan Capistrano is a monument to California's multi-cultural history. Your family can escape into 10 acres of peaceful gardens and cool fountains, surrounded by old adobe walls, among the sounds of century-old bells. The mission hosts art exhibits, public festivals, art demonstrations, performance arts, period demonstrations, and education and cultural programs.

One of the homes open to the public in the Los Rios Historic District is this small Victorian house from the 1880s, which is the first wooden building in San Juan Capistrano. It now serves as a museum featuring artifacts from San Juan Capistrano's heritage. Hours: 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.Tuesday through Friday; and noon-3 p.m. on weekends. Closed Mondays.

The Old Capistrano Farmers' Market takes place every Wednesday evening from 3-6 p.m. in historic downtown San Juan Capistrano, across from Historic Town Center Park. This farmers' market has more than 20 vegetable, fruit and flower vendors, as well as acoustic entertainment sure to make your evening a pleasant one.

Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000-acre wilderness area tucked against the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. Wildlife, oak and sycamore trees, and wildflowers are abundant among the park's river terraces and sandstone canyons.

Sycamore Trails is the only place in San Juan Capistrano where you can rent a horse and go out for a day of riding. Though riders and horses must stay on designated trails, there is something suited for any caliber of rider, from the beginner to the more advanced.

Set amid the beautiful wilderness just outside our urban bustle, this campground is close to trailheads for San Mateo Canyon and the Santa Ana Mountains. Upper San Juan Campground is very popular with hikers, as it has 18 campsites for tents and motor homes, as well as piped water, picnic tables, fireplaces and vault toilets. Campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Zoomars Petting Zoo and Bird Park claims to be the last working farm in South Orange County and it's open to the public. Children can ride ponies, go on train rides and pet the many animals that call this farm home. Animals include bunnies, goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep, chickens, geese, ducks, a miniature donkey, Chex the horse and Ruby the pig. General admission is $5, $4 for seniors over 60 and $3 for kids with a Zoomars Kid's Club Membership (available online). Open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.