Rich in history, San Juan Capistrano’s roots date back to 1776 when St. Junípero Serra established the storied Mission San Juan Capistrano. Now, the Spanish-influenced city continues to build on its legacy with charming restaurants, a dazzling hotel and unique cultural offerings.
Stroll the historic grounds at the beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano. PHOTO COURTESY OF J PUBLIC RELATIONS
Enjoy time in the olive grove at Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. INN AT THE MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano
An Autograph Collection hotel by Marriott Bonvoy, this Spanish-style resort features 125 hacienda-inspired rooms—including seven luxury suites and three residential-style villas—with beautiful views of the adjacent Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Take a dip at the sprawling pool, enjoy Spanish cuisine with a California twist at Ysidora Restaurant and Lounge, or unwind at the 2,500-square-foot Spa at The Mission. innatthemissionsjc.com
Bloom Restaurant & Bar
Locals love this new hot spot from restaurateur Russ Bendel, where chef Jared Cook serves hearty dishes for dinner and weekend brunch—think applewood bacon-wrapped meatloaf and Meyer lemon creme fraiche waffles. Don’t miss the bestselling Ortega cocktail—tequila, Aperol, mint, serrano, lime and grapefruit—that pays homage to the restaurant’s location at the corner of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano. bloomsanjuancapistrano.com
Breezy
Breakfast and brunch are the stars of the show at this fellow newbie that offers Filipino- and island-inspired flavors in a charming pink-hued dining room. Indulge your sweet tooth with the famous ube French toast featuring crusted milk bread, caramelized bananas, ube whipped cream, toasted coconut flakes, coconut cream and mixed berries. experiencebreezy.com
Dine outdoors at the new Campesino Cafe at The Ecology Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ECOLOGY CENTER
Campesino Cafe
Located at The Ecology Center—founder Evan Marks’ 28-acre farm that’s dedicated to nourishing the community and educating children—Campesino Cafe is a new all-vegetarian outdoor dining concept. By utilizing produce from the land, Campesino offers farm-to-table dishes brimming with fresh greens, berries and more. theecologycenter.org/campesino-cafe
Ellie’s Table
What grew out of a small catering business founded in 1967 by Eleanor Mastroianni is now one of San Juan’s most beloved cafes. Stop by its location at the historic Egan House to enjoy from-scratch fare that’s made fresh daily—the potato salad and cinnamon rolls are the stuff of legends. elliestable.com
Heritage Barbecue pitmaster and owner Daniel Castillo; PHOTO BY JOHN TROXELL
Heritage Barbecue
It’s a meat lover’s paradise at this award-winning alfresco joint, where chef-owner Daniel Ontiveros is tempting tastebuds with small-batch Texas-style barbecue. Staples, such as pulled pork and spare ribs by the pound, are sold alongside brisket beans, classic mac and cheese, and Texas chili. Wash those mouthwatering flavors down with one of 12 on-tap craft beers created exclusively for Heritage by brewmaster Michael Aubuchon. heritagecraftbbq.com
Mayfield
Diners flock to Mayfield for a California twist on classic flavors from the Levant region, encompassing the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa. Stop by for brunch, lunch or dinner to enjoy family-style dining highlighted by za’atar fried chicken and cauliflower shawarma. mayfieldoc.com
Rancho Capistrano Winery
The outdoor patio, illuminated by an expansive fireplace, is the place to be at this hot spot. Wine lovers will discover more than 30 housemade varietals from the Paso Robles, Napa Valley and Walla Walla wine regions, plus decadent menu options for brunch, lunch and dinner. ranchocapwinery.com
Tavern at the Mission
The former Cedar Creek Inn is now home to Tavern at the Mission, chef-owner David Wilhelm’s love letter to California’s multicultural history. While Wilhelm has introduced new flavors across brunch, lunch and dinner, a few Cedar Creek favorites remain, including the Monte Cristo sandwich and coconut cake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. tavernatthemission.com
Trevor’s at the Tracks
The patio is always buzzing at this Mission Revival-style landmark built in 1894. Enjoy live music daily from local performers as you sip cocktails and indulge in globally inspired fare. trevorsatthetracks.com
Cross the track at Capistrano Depot to discover The Los Rios District. PHOTO COURTESY OF J PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Los Rios District
Cross the railroad tracks at Capistrano Depot to discover California’s oldest neighborhood, where some of the 40 historic homes have been converted into beloved businesses. Don’t miss The Tea House on Los Rios, Ramos House Cafe and Hidden House Coffee. theteahouseonlosrios.com; ramoshouse.com; hiddenhousecoffee.com
See the Ruins of the Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano. PHOTO COURTESY OF J PUBLIC RELATIONS
Mission San Juan Capistrano
This historic landmark and museum is considered the birthplace of Orange County and welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year. Known as the Jewel of the California Missions, the beautiful grounds are home to signature events, daily mass services and a wide range of educational programming. missionsjc.com
Photography by:
