Mission San Juan Capistrano

June 14, 2004

I remember the first time I heard about the Mission at San Juan Capistrano...watching Looney Tunes cartoons! ☺ Now I can't remember which character it was, maybe Elmer Fudd, but it was playing on the Swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano theme. No swallows today, but the gardens were amazing. They were setting up for a concert, so my experience was distracted by dozens of tables arranged for dinner, the stage being erected and continuous sound tests. Nonetheless, I enjoyed almost 2 hours leisurely wandering around the grounds, enjoying the gardens, and the architecture.

(click on image to view larger size)

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776		I don't really like the concept of this statue.
	A campanario, or bell wall, was built for the mission bells the year after the 1812 earthquake.





"Serra Chapel" is still in use today and is considered the oldest church in California.

		Ruins of the "Great Stone Church" which was destroyed in 1812 during an earthquake