Mission San Juan Capistrano

Last month during our trip to San Diego we visited the Mission San Juan Capistrano. I've visited around 2/3 of the California missions, but this one was by far the nicest I'd seen. The Mission has earned the reputation as the Loveliest of the Franciscan Ruins. We missed the mass return of the swallows by a week, but there were a few early arrivals.

The Mission site is still a functioning church, so there is a mixture of ruins and more modern facilities. In 1812, the Wrightwood Earthquake brought down the bulk of the nave, completely obliterating the bell tower, and killing 42 native worshippers. This shot shows the left side of the ruins of The Great Stone Church.


This is one of the four bells making up the four-bell campanario. The campanario was erected the year after the bell tower was toppled by the 1812 earthquake.


Back side of the bell from with in the secret garden.




A Moorish-style fountain inside the Mission's central courtyard.

Father Serra's Church.

The many fountains and ponds are populated by fish.

A sad commentary that such rules need be stated.