San Juan Capistrano: A Colorful Glimpse of California, San Juan Capistrano, California

If you grew up in California as I did, you studied the California Missions. Every 4th grader does a mission project. I remember doing mine when I was a kid and I helped my son and daughter do theirs. We’ve visited several California missions over the years. One of my favorites has always been Mission San Juan Capistrano.

When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano – Swallows Day is in March but the swallows don’t always return on queue. Still, it is a special day in SJC.

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776. It was the birthplace of the OC (Orange County) because it was the area’s first settlement. The missions were built by Spanish priests in an effort to convert the Native Acjachemen Indians to their religion and teach them the Spanish language. The missionaries called them “Juaneño” to distinguish them from the native Indians of other missions. Their presence at the missions also helped to prevent other countries from taking over California.

Ships would land at Dana Point Harbor. The missionaries traded cattle, hides, and tallows (for candle-making) with the sailors in exchange for needed goods and created a profitable business. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).