---

Programs

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). Our hands-on brick making program, Mission Matters, is also available as an add-on (as available). 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

Audio Tours (Complimentary with paid admission)

History Audio Tour
Available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
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
Available in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
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.

Student Audio Tour: “If These Walls Could Talk”
Available in English and Spanish
Designed for California students working on their mission studies, the 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).

Offered: Daily
Duration: Check out for up to 2 hours
Cost: Free with paid admission, no reservation required

---

Always Onsite

In Tribute Bell Ringing

The historic bells ring 7 times each day at 9:00 a.m. to honor the legacy of its founder St. Junípero Serra, who founded Mission San Juan Capistrano as the 7th of his 9 California missions and on special occasions throughout the year. For more information, please visit our calendar.

Koi Fish Feeding

Did you know you can feed the Koi fish in the Mission’s fountains? The Mission is a great place to bring the kids to not only learn history but also be inspired the beauty and natural life. Join us at the fountain Tuesday through Sunday at 12:45 p.m. to feed the koi fish or purchase koi food at the Gate House and feed the friendly koi on your own! Fun for parents, teachers and kids alike!

Mission Scavenger Hunt

Download our brand-new FREE scavenger hunt to see how many treasures you can find all while learning about California history while you explore the Mission grounds.

Mission Clubhouse

Hand-on Activities include:

• Life Size Basket Weaving: Weave a Basket like the Native Americans
• Job Wheel: Spin the wheel and discover your Mission job
• Build a Roman Arch: Like a Mission architect
• Word Play: Practice grammar in a silly way

Visit the Mission Clubhouse and receive a Mission Clubhouse ID card! Make sure to spin the wheel of jobs and write down your Mission job.

The Mission Clubhouse is a space for kids to learn and participate in hands-on activities such as weaving a Native American basket using a basket model that is as big as a kid!

Other hands-on activities include spinning the Wheel of Mission Jobs, where kids will discover their role in the Mission community. Every individual worked or completed chores to help keep the Mission running. Padres and soldiers taught the Acjachemen new jobs like farming, ranching, candle making, leather making and many more jobs.

Visitors can also build roman arches with miniature blocks. Arches are a main part of Mission history and can be seen along the corridors, within the Great Stone Church, and above the bell wall. The Mission Clubhouse is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Follow the Swallow Sticker Tour

4th Grader Package

Ideal for fourth graders working on their Mission Report, this Mission San Juan Capistrano Student “Package Experience” includes  youth/student admission, a Remember the Builders bracelet and Mission San Juan Capistrano resource book. Purchase this package onsite at the Gate House for $17 or online. This package is not applicable to field trips.