Onsite Tours
Make Mission San Juan Capistrano and gardens your next tour destination. See a snapshot of California’s history by touring our exhibits and museum rooms on a guided VIP tour. Or explore our 10-acre grounds of gardens, fountains and adobe preserved architecture while listening to one of the complimentary multi-language audio tours included with the price of admission (History Audio Tour, Finding Inspiration Garden Audio Tour, “If These Walls Could Talk” Student Audio Tour or the seasonal Capistrano Lights Holiday Audio Tour). For school groups, please view our onsite field trips.
VIP Guided Tour
Book a VIP guided tour and explore the Mission grounds. Explore the wine vat, visit the private Sacristy of the Ruins, and touch the historic Mission bells! This is the up close experience our visitors truly appreciate.
On this tour, participants are led by a guide who will provide audio transmitters to each guest. This exclusive tour includes gifts for each guest in the group (adults receive a pin and children receive a bracelet). Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen for your tour.
These tours are available in advance by reservation or onsite at the Gate House.
Offered: Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Size: Maximum group size 25 *Not private
Cost: $35 (per adult); $30 per child
*All tour and education program availability is subject to change
Adult Guided Tour
Led by our trained Mission guides and volunteer docents, take a step back in time and learn about the Mission history while visiting the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, historic Serra Chapel, original buildings and gardens.
On this tour, participants are led by a guide who will provide audio transmitters to each guest. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen for your tour.
Offered: Monday through Friday (times may vary)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Size: 15 person minimum
Cost: $22 (Adults only)
These tours are available in advance by reservation.
*All tour and education program availability is subject to change
Adult Audio Tours (Complimentary with paid admission)
Available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Mandarin
History Audio Tour
Experience history first hand, learn new things about Mission San Juan Capistrano never before heard and see the Jewel up close and personal.
Finding Inspiration Garden Audio Tour
Learn about the Mission’s landscape beginnings and how the grounds have evolved through the decades. Explore the citrus trees, the cactus garden, hollyhocks and more.
Capistrano Lights Audio Tour
A seasonal holiday audio tour offered during November through December. Listen to special stops including the Gospel of the Nativity according to Saint Luke and the reading of “‘Twas the Night before Christmas” in both the Serra Chapel and the Ruins of the Great Stone Church.
Audio tours are available for free any day, any time, at your own pace. You control what you hear.
Dial 1 to begin the tour. Follow the tour in numerical order or create your own sequence. When prompted, enter the number of the stop you wish to hear more about.
Each stop is approximately 1 to 2 minutes long and is a unique experience. You may start and stop the tour at any point or enter another number anytime you choose.
Mission San Juan Capistrano strives to be accessible to everyone. While some parts of our property are limited due to the historic nature of the site, the majority of our museum rooms and gardens are wheelchair accessible. However Audio tour stops can still be accessed on the audio wand. Learn more about accessibility.
Preview the History Audio Tour (English):
How to Use the Audio Wand
Stop 1
What is a Mission? — Founding Document
Stop 2 Additional Information
Mission Agriculture — Olive Millstone
Stop 3
Student Audio Tour “If These Walls Could Talk“-
Available in English and Spanish
Experience the self-guided audio tour, “If These Walls Could Talk” which was designed for California students working on their mission studies. The audio tour takes learners to 23 stops to learn about the early history of the Mission. Listen to the grandmotherly, “Mission Wall” who introduces them to indigenous builders, soldiers, padres, and more. (The tour aligns with CA HSS 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.3.1, 3.3.2; 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6).
Dial 1 to begin the tour. Follow the tour in numerical order or create your own sequence. When prompted, enter the number of the stop you wish to hear more about.
Each stop is approximately 1 to 2 minutes long and is a unique experience. You may start and stop the tour at any point or enter another number anytime you choose.
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