Mission San Juan Capistrano got its name in honor of St. John of Capistrano ( Italy ), a 14th century religious scholar. The mission is 70 miles north of San Diego , less than 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean along 2 creeks. It was built on November 1 st, 1776 by Father Junipero Serra, President of the Missions. This mission was the 7th one built.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is known as the "Jewel of the Missions" because of its beauty.  It is built in a cross design (1of the 2 mission types) and has 7 masonary domes. It's 180 feet long and 40 feet wide with different size walls. The mission is made of yellow sandstone and has a bell tower with four bells and a rooster weather vane on top.

Here's some facts about the history of Mission San Juan Capistrano.  The mission was founded in 1775, but the building was delayed a whole year because of an Indian attack at a San Diego mission that killed a priest. On November 1, 1776 Mission San Juan Capistrano was built. In 1791 the bell tower was finished for it.

The Great Stone Church started being built in 1796 and was completed in 1806. Then in 1812 an earthquake destroyed it! It was never rebuilt. In 1912 the little adobe church of Mission San Juan Capistrano was rediscovered by a priest, Father John O'Sullivan.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is used today for many different things. It has many art, music, and history festivals. It has a Lincoln Celebration, a Return of the Swallows Celebration and a Flower and Garden Festival. And many more! Unfortunately, I have not been there. 

The most interesting thing about Mission San Juan Capistrano ithat the swallows come back each year to build their nests in the ruins.  The swallows come back around March 19 each year and stay until about October 23. There's a week long fiesta to celebrate the return of the swallows.  I would love to go visit when the swallows are there.