Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
{#
#}
/ Person
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
/ Person
Select date and participants
1

Your Product

Select participants
Infant (0-3)
Min: 0 Max: 2
Child (4-9)
Min: 0 Max: 4
Youth (10-17)
Min: 0 Max: 6
Adult (18-99)
Min: 2 Max: 15
You can select a total maximum of: 15
At least one participant is required. Please adjust and try again.

Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour

4.2 (11)
San Juan Capistrano, US
Share

Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour

4.2 (11)
San Juan Capistrano, US
Share
Experience the rich history and cultural significance of San Juan Capistrano on the Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories of the indigenous peoples, the birth of California's wine-making tradition, and the famous Swallows that return each year. Begin your journey at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, where you can explore the beautifully flowered grounds and visit the oldest building in California. Then, embark on a walking tour of the 250-year-old Spanish town, hearing tales of Zorro, pirates, and ghosts. Discover hidden historic neighborhoods, with ancient adobes and century-old succulents, and indulge in the quaint arts and crafts shopping lane. Uncover the oldest neighborhood in California, the Los Rios Historic District, before concluding the tour just a short walk from the Mission. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of San Juan Capistrano on this unforgettable experience.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 1 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 2-15 Participants
  • Small Group Tour, Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Historical and cultural importance dating back 250 years
  • Tour of the oldest building in California
  • Walking tour of a 250 year old Spanish town
  • Tips on where to best shop and eat
  • Visit to the oldest neighborhood in California
  • Personal Guided Tour of Mission and Historic Old Town
  • Tickets to Mission
  • Guide Tips

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the rich history and captivating beauty of San Juan Capistrano on the Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour. Immerse yourself in the cultural significance of this historic site, which has played a vital role in the development of California for over 250 years. From the lives of indigenous peoples to being the birthplace of wine-making in California, this tour will take you on a journey through time and showcase the unique heritage of this enchanting destination.

What to expect?

Embark on a 90-minute adventure that combines the exploration of Mission San Juan Capistrano with a walking tour of the charming Spanish town. Discover the oldest building in California, the revered chapel where Father Serra conducted Mass. Hear fascinating tales of the devastating earthquake that struck the great basilica, leaving behind a haunting graveyard. As you stroll through the town, learn about the legendary swallows that return each spring and delve into stories of Zorro, pirates, and ghosts. Get insider tips on the best places to shop and dine, including the beloved tea house and a celebrity chef’s rustic patio restaurant.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and anyone eager to explore the hidden gems of California. Whether you're a local looking to deepen your understanding of the region's history or a traveler seeking an authentic experience, this tour caters to all. Embark on this adventure with friends, family, or even as a solo explorer, and uncover the secrets of San Juan Capistrano that have shaped the state's identity.

Why book this?

Immerse yourself in the rich history of San Juan Capistrano and connect with the past like never before. This tour offers a unique opportunity to discover the hidden stories and lesser-known details that make this destination truly special. With an experienced guide leading the way, you'll gain intimate insights into the area's history and culture, ensuring an unforgettable experience. Whether you're fascinated by architecture, intrigued by folklore, or simply seeking a unique adventure, the Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour promises to exceed your expectations.

Good to know

Please note that entrance tickets to the Mission, which are discounted, will need to be purchased separately at the site. Look for your guide wearing a red visor to join the tour. The tour duration is approximately 90 minutes, providing ample time to soak in the historical ambiance and absorb the captivating stories of San Juan Capistrano. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the oldest neighborhood in California, the Los Rios Historic District, just a short walk from the starting point. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and come prepared to be transported to a bygone era of charm and intrigue.

Reviews

Customers who have embarked on the Mission San Juan Capistrano & Old Town Tour have praised the tour for its knowledgeable guides and engaging storytelling. Visitors have expressed deep appreciation for the unique historical sites visited and the fascinating anecdotes shared along the way. The seamless combination of Mission San Juan Capistrano and the charming Spanish town ensures a well-rounded experience that leaves guests with a thorough understanding of the region's history. Overall, guests have been delighted with this captivating tour and highly recommend it to fellow travelers seeking an enchanting journey through time.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Mission San Juan Capistrano

We'll meet at the Historic 'Jewel of the Missions' where the famous Swallows return to, and after you purchase your Discounted Tckets we will tour the beautifully flowered grounds. You'll see its venerated chapel - the oldest building in California - where Father Serra, founder of the California Missions, conducted Mass; and then the graveyard holding victims of the 1812 earthquake that collapsed the great basilica on a Sunday morning. .

Admission Not Included

San Juan Capistrano

Then we'll go on a walking tour of this 250 year old Spanish town, famous for the Swallows that return each Spring and we'll tell you tales of Zorro, pirates and ghosts too. We’ll even show you where President Nixon dined on his favorite Mexican dishes while staying at his nearby 'Western White House'; as well as the historic Santa Fe train Depot. We'll be happy to offer Tips on where to best Shop and Eat.

Los Rios Park

(Pass by)

Then we'll go on to a venerable, but nearly hidden, historic neighborhood - the oldest in California - where you’ll see ancient adobes and giant century-old succulents ; and its Arts and Crafts shopping lane with its much loved tea house (where women wear Victorian hats on Sunday) and a celebrity Chef’s rustic patio restaurant (also his home). A petting zoo you may want to visit is also tucked away nearby

Los Rios Historic District

Oldest neighborhood in California

Reviews

(11)

4.2 (11)

cinda_m

The Mission is beautiful and all the flowers were in full bloom which made walking the grounds very enjoyable. The buildings are very well restored and hold a lot of history. The Walking Tour provided here is not particularly necessary unless you were in a rush as this tour provided all the highlights. The guide was very perfunctory in the delivery of history and much of it could be obtained reading the very extensive displays in the Mission exhibits. The quaint Rios Plaza is also a must see. We completed our tour and returned to explore the most interesting sites.

piching88

Paid for 2 people for a guided tour of the Mission San Juan Capistrano with a tour of the surrounding area. Waited for the tour guide at the the requested time of 12.30 pm . The guide Logan did not show up. Phoned the given number twice went to an answering machine .left a message. No reply. Eventually we went into the Mission and was notified that third party tour guides was not allowed in the property.We paid half the price to tour the mission on our own with a free audio guide of the mission. We requested a full refund since the service was never provided.

lorenias626

Thank you so much for the AJ to guide us a the San Juan Capistrano, he was very nice and helpful. We really enjoyed it.

853melindaw

Our guide was A.J.. He was a local, and was very knowledgeable about the mission, its history and its importance to California. He also gave us interesting information about San Juan Capistrano, and even some wonderful tips on things to do around town. I would definately recommend. Thanks A.J. :)

JessicaK516

A guided tour isn’t necessary to see the mission unless you’re in a hurry and don’t want to read the informative plaques yourself. It was hard to get photos and check out all the displays due to the swift pace of the guide. He was very knowledgeable and had obviously done the tour many times. He mostly gave a walkthrough of the highlights and skipped the things he felt were unnecessary. The tiny portion of the tour outside of the mission wasn’t very insightful or necessary. We gained more information from reading about Old Town on our own.

christinal116

Very nice! AJ was great! He told us so many great stories about the history of California! I had no idea that San Juan Capistrano played a vital part in southern California’s beginnings! Fortunately, we were there on a beautiful, 75° weather day!

Good2do

The guided tour by RJ is definitely the way to start your exploration of San Juan Capistrano Mission and Old Town. He is extremely knowledgeable and shares it well. I fully recommend his guided tour.

RYAN_H

Local tour guide. Great experience. Highly recommend. Make sure to carve out to time to get a meal after the tour - lots of lovely spots.

Mary Alice H

Informative tour guide! He gave us lots of good info and we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Highly recommend! The San Juan mission is absolutely gorgeous and knowing all the background really helped us understand the historical significance of the mission.

Peggy_F

Extremely interesting tour. Guide was very knowledgeable. Chapel and Mission grounds were lovely! Such an interesting part of California history.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-30 14:15
Price breakdown
    Total
    Sorry, this date is sold out We recommend you try another date or try another product if your dates aren’t flexible.