1. Camino Real Playhouse
City: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (949) 489-8082
Address: 1776 El Camino Real
Description: Located in south Orange County and celebrating two outstanding decades, the Camino Real Playhouse has produced some 140-plus full-scale theatrical productions including a dozen or more playwriting festivals. During the summer Shakespearian dramas and comedies unfold beneath the stars at the Historic Town Center Park adjacent to the playhouse.
2. Mission San Juan Capistrano
City: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 234-1300
Address: 26801 Ortega Hwy.
Description: No visit to California, be it north or south, should exclude a trip to one of the 21 missions established by Father Junípero Serra. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded on November 1, 1776 and was the seventh mission established. As with all of the missions, it was the Indians that were responsible, not by choice, to construct the buildings. The sound of the centuries-old bells guides you to the grounds where fabled arches, Moorish Fountains, Indian burial grounds, ruins of a stone church, soldiers’ barracks, and a 10-acre garden are all found behind the cloistered wall. All of these historic relics are open to the public and, on the last Saturday of each month, the mission hosts Living History Days where costumed docents reenact forgotten skills, such as wool spinning and panning for gold. Audio tours are available for both kids and adults.
3. Caspers Wilderness Park
City: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 923-2210
Address: 33401 Ortega Hwy.
Description: It’s not unusual to spot a prancing deer or some other four-legged inhabitant at this 8,000-acre wilderness preserve. Punctuated with river terraces and sandstone canyons, there are groves of mature trees, bouquets of wildflowers, and the sound of running streams. There are fire rings and bike trails, designated areas for family camping, equestrian trails, playgrounds and tot lots, and interpretive programs. The park’s Ortega Highway location, a lonely road that winds between Orange and Riverside Counties, really makes it seem far removed from civilization.
4. Bridges Training Stable
City: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 858-0970
Address: 2682 Oso Rd.
Description: This riding school and training facility provides a spot-on education between rider and horse. With four instructors, a trio of trainers, and a stable of two dozen horses, Bridges specializes in hunters and jumpers, training kids eight and up in English and Western-style riding. For the novice, lesson one involves learning to move the horse forward as well as stopping, turning in either direction, backing up, walking, trotting, and downward transitions. After that, lessons inch toward more complicated moves. They also teach young ones how to train a horse. In addition, there are camps, clinics, and competitions to explore.
5. Mission San Juan Capistrano
City: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (949) 234-1300
Address: 26801 Ortega Highway
Description: Padre Junipero Serra founded this mission in 1776, and every year the swallows migrate to the grounds on or around Saint Joseph’s Day, March 19. The swallows are not aware that humans try to clock their arrival and flock to see the birds coming back. Depending on weather conditions throughout the world, the birds may arrive early or late, but visitors come nonetheless.Padre Serra’s Chapel at the mission is the oldest building still in use in the state. For youngsters in the fourth grade who study California history, the trip to the mission is sometimes the most impressive field trip of the year.On the 10-acre grounds you’ll see the Serra Chapel, padres’ quarters, the cemetery, and the Great Stone Church. There are often crafts demonstrations and various festivals.The mission is within walking distance of the Amtrak train station depot in San Juan Capistrano, and many Insiders take the train and a picnic lunch for a day at the mission. If you’re driving, exit I-5 at the California Highway 74 exit and drive west, following the signs to the mission. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, and $5.00 for children ages 4 to 11. The mission is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas (it closes at noon on Good Friday and Christmas Eve). Within a few blocks of the mission, there are boutiques, cafes, antiques shops, and bookstores.