Mission San Juan Capistrano

Unparalleled historic beauty

What makes it fun

Founded in 1716 in Eastern Texas, Mission San Juan Capistrano was transferred in 1731 to its forever home in San Antonio. In 1756, the stone church, a friary, and a granary were completed as additions to the original construction. Also including The Yanaguana Trail which spans a beautiful stretch of the original San Antonio River where visitors can often view turtles, owls, snakes, and other local wildlife. The trail truly feels like a hidden oasis in the city, transporting the visitor to a place with void of any city sounds. Last but not least, the Mission also includes a living demonstration farm. This farm is fed by a historic acequia, and allows visitors the chance to see what the labores surrounding Mission San Juan Capistrano would have looked like. To visit the farm, cross the mission compound and take the trail just to the southwest of the mission, after a short walk the fields come into view and it makes for a particularly nice stroll around sunset.

Google Reviews

Mission San Juan

4.7

Based on 1414 reviews

Angel Beltran

03:35 11 Jun 24

Beautiful spot! I took grad pictures of my Kindergartener! The spot has such a tranquility about it and the place itself is quite lovely!

Susanne Brown

18:00 08 Jun 24

What sets this mission apart were the surroundings. The church wasn't my favorite of the five missions, but Mission San Juan has a walking path and you can see how the missions set up and managed fields and gardens and built canals to water their crops. There is a restored cabin. Well maintained, flat easy walkways and free parking. Not crowded.

Vincent Garza

12:58 08 Jun 24

Allison Bibbee

15:02 07 Jun 24

Brandi Lee C.

14:40 04 Jun 24

Must see in San Antonio. The missions are beautiful.

Nani A

16:02 17 Jun 23

Mission Espada is one of the UNESCO world heritage-recognized San Antonio missions. While it is the oldest and likely the smallest of the five missions, it is incredibly charming. The missions’ exterior walls have mostly been destroyed with remnants of the original structure’s outline still visible. There are a couple of rooms connected by a shaded colonnade lined with plants and the mission’s church still in contact. The plants and flowers added to the charm of this historic site. Tip: Wi-Fi available at the entrance of the grounds and audio guides also can be accessed via the National Parks Service website. Each of the missions are unique, this one stood out as one of the more memorable.

Heino Puidak

15:12 05 Jun 23

Historic and Worth a VisitThis large Spanish colonial compound was active in the mid-1700's and is now maintained by the National Park Service. There is no entry fee and you can walk around the grounds and into the church as you like. Park rangers offer free guided tours just about every day. The Catholic Archdiocese does hold services at the church so be advised. The building construction using rock is amazing and the interior of the church is beautiful. There is some restoration work in progress now on the church dome and you can see where the Park Service has done restoration work elsewhere at the mission to preserve this bit of history.

qlix

17:10 25 May 23

I enjoy coming here to bike, since there’s always a trail that leads to the Alamo dome I like running and biking sometimes to lose some weight. also the history in this place is rly interesting