A New Year Adventure, Part 8: Mission San Juan Capistrano

Summer and I had heard that Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the larger and lovelier missions in California, but we had absolutely no idea what we were in for. For one thing, it is enormous--just when you think you've seen everything, there's another pathway leading to another courtyard or another part of the museum, or another little ruin or something. This mission charges admission (some do, some don't), but it was well worth the $10 to get an audio headset and to wander around this priceless piece of California history. They're working hard to preserve it.

From the outside, the mission isn't any more or less remarkable than any other, but once you're inside...

This fountain? Gorgeous. Then, later, we found an even more gorgeous
fountain.

Certified Swimmy Approved

Olive Millstone

Soldiers Barracks

It had to be done.

Another courtyard, even more beautiful than the first.

Old wine vat in the ground.

Old furnaces

This fountain was beautiful, and full of koi fish and water lilies.

Another Swimmy Approved fountain.

Cute!

Father Serra and a native boy.

Ruins of the Great Stone Church

After the mission, we walked across the street to the Capistrano Trading Post, where I bought some postcards for my brother.

I took this from a few blocks away. Gotta love the zoom on my camera.