Mission San Juan Capistrano
9101 Graf Road, worldheritagesa.com
Founded in 1731 by Spanish Catholics, Mission San Juan Capistrano sits on the San Antonio River, making it an altogether dazzling space – though its history is plagued with the fact that missionaries were meant to colonize indigenous folks in the area. It is reported that some of the parishioners there today are descendants of the original inhabitants. Otherwise, be sure to check out the Yanaguana Trail here, a paved walkway with surrounding trees and vegetation. The compound also includes a three-bell campanario, walls, foundations of the original living quarters, a granary building, a convento, a well and a residence. There’s even a small museum, so there’s much to appreciate here.
Photo via Instagram /
paulanrandyporter