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Enjoyable Issues to Do in San Juan Capistrano with Children


Watching koi with my kids at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Watching koi with my youngsters at Mission San Juan Capistrano (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

Historic San Juan Capistrano is a candy Southern California city with a laidback vibe, close by seashores, and walkable downtown. It’s simply reached by automobile or prepare from San Diego or Los Angeles, making it an awesome alternative for a weekend getaway. Let’s discover enjoyable issues to do in and close to San Juan Capistrano with youngsters, together with family-friendly restaurant and lodge suggestions!

The bells at Mission San Juan CapistranoThe bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano
The bells at Mission San Juan Capistrano (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

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1. Mission San Juan Capistrano

Whereas my visits to different California missions felt ho-hum, I used to be stunned by Mission San Juan Capistrano’s attract and peaceable impact. Generally known as “The Jewel” of missions, the grounds are so beautiful that I had a tough time deciding what NOT to {photograph}.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one in all 21 present-day missions. The Spanish missions had been established between 1769 and 1833 as a strategy to unfold the Catholic religion and colonize what’s now Southern California.

Bees buzzing among bright flowers at Mission San Juan CapistranoBees buzzing among bright flowers at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Bees buzzing amongst shiny flowers at Mission San Juan Capistrano (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

The koi fountain intrigued each my youngsters, as did the flitting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds within the stunning gardens. Are available spring to see the mission’s famed swallows, which return each March throughout their migration from South America.

Kids at Mission San Juan CapistranoKids at Mission San Juan Capistrano
It’s enjoyable to study Mission San Juan Capistrano with a handheld audio participant (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

Hand-held audio controllers are included in your entrance price. My youngsters loved discovering the entire numbered audio stations and listening to commentary concerning the historical past and position of this Spanish mission within the city and California’s historical past.

Pony ride at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan CapistranoPony ride at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano
Pony journey at Zoomars Petting Zoo (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

2. Zoomars Petting Zoo

Throughout the tracks from the prepare station, comply with the indicators to seek out Zoomars. Sliding and climbing on the cute playground are included within the entrance price.

Children at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan CapistranoChildren at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano
A slide race at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

For varied nominal charges, youngsters can snuggle bunnies and guinea pigs, journey a miniature prepare, pan for idiot’s gold, and go on pony rides. Guests may also feed veggies to keen goats. However beware…they WILL soar on you!

Dad feeding goats at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan CapistranoDad feeding goats at Zoomars Petting Zoo in San Juan Capistrano
Daddy feeding the enthusiastic goats at Zoomars (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

3. Dana Level Harbor

About three miles south of San Juan Capistrano, meander by way of outlets and eating places at Dana Level Harbor

You may join a whale-watching tour, kayaking journey, or different water tour on the harbor. Should you’d somewhat come ready and safe your loved ones’s spot, join a guided water tour upfront with our trusted associate, GetYourGuide.

Kayakers at Dana Point HarborKayakers at Dana Point Harbor
Kayakers at Dana Level Harbor (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

A number of pals really useful our household dine on the Harbor Grill. Oh boy, had been we glad we did! Seafood is the specialty right here, and the youngsters’ menu provides the same old suspects. It’s not low-cost, however in case you’re hungry the prix fixe three-course meals make the invoice extra manageable.

Child playing in water at Doheny State Beach in Dana PointChild playing in water at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point
My son taking part in at Doheny State Seashore (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

4. Doheny State Seashore

A ten-minute stroll from Dana Level Harbor, Doheny State Seashore is without doubt one of the loveliest California seashores I’ve ever visited. A large, expansive sandy seashore attracts households. The waves are fairly daring, so watch babies vigilantly.

Palm trees and grass lawn at Doheny State BeachPalm trees and grass lawn at Doheny State Beach
Palm timber and grass garden at Doheny State Seashore (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

Deliver a kite to fly on plentiful grassy area on a windy day. Or, hire bicycles or a surrey from Wheel Enjoyable Leases. Restrooms with altering areas can be found.

Your loved ones will get hungry from the scent of smoky eats wafting from barbecues galore. The snack bar was curiously closed on the day of our go to (a Saturday in June). Make sure you plan forward and pack your individual picnic lunch or journey snacks.

My kids playing in the sand at Doheny Beach in Dana HarborMy kids playing in the sand at Doheny Beach in Dana Harbor
My youngsters taking part in within the sand at Doheny Seashore (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

5. Household-Pleasant Eating places in San Juan Capistrano

Conveniently situated only a quick block away from the San Juan Capistrano Depot Prepare Station is the charming and scrumptious Sundried Tomato American Bistro. You completely MUST get a cup of their signature Sundried Tomato Soup, a creamy concoction topped with crumbled cheese. My husband, on a low-carb eating regimen throughout our San Juan Capistrano household trip, mentioned his noodle-free vegetable lasagna was probably the most scrumptious factor he’d eaten in weeks.

The menu provides salads, burgers, pasta, bigger entrees (rooster, steak, seafood) and children’ dishes. Take notice, nevertheless, that juice for youths may be very costly right here. Due to this fact, you may need to follow water or deliver your individual sippy cups.

Sundried tomato soup and a chicken and apple salad at Sundried Tomatoes restaurantSundried tomato soup and a chicken and apple salad at Sundried Tomatoes restaurant
Sundried tomato soup and a rooster and apple salad at Sundried Tomatoes restaurant

In-built 1793, El Adobe de Capistrano is the oldest restaurant on the town. Just a few locals really useful this restaurant as THE place to assuage Mexican meals cravings. My household discovered typical fare like enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and a few scrumptious salsa fresca right here.

Train tracks in San Juan Capistrano Train tracks in San Juan Capistrano
Prepare tracks in San Juan Capistrano (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

San Juan Capistrano Prepare Station

With a candy downtown sliced by prepare tracks, San Juan Capistrano is a enjoyable vacation spot for youths who will enjoyment of witnessing the crossing guard’s flashing lights and dinging bells all day lengthy. As a substitute of driving, my household determined to make our go to much more memorable by making the journey from San Diego to town of San Juan Capistrano through Amtrak prepare. It appears all youngsters love choo-choos, so chances are you’ll need to add a prepare journey to your trip, too.

Pool at Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano Dana Point Pool at Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano Dana Point
Pool at Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano Dana Level (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

The place to Keep in San Juan Capistrano with Children

Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano provides a lot for households. Anticipate spacious suites with full kitchens. Lively youngsters will respect a pleasing outside pool, a basketball court docket, and a placing inexperienced with golf equipment and balls to borrow.

There are even barbecues if you wish to grill out one evening. Included breakfasts make mornings straightforward, inexpensive, and enjoyable. Need to refill your fridge? Simply give the entrance desk your grocery record and so they’ll buy the objects for you and add the entire to your invoice.

As an added bonus, Residence Inn San Juan Capistrano supplies a free shuttle for visitors anyplace inside 5 miles of the lodge. This makes exploring and not using a automobile straightforward and handy for households like ours who arrive through prepare.

Mission San Juan Capistrano GardenMission San Juan Capistrano Garden
Mission San Juan Capistrano Backyard (Picture credit score: Colleen Lanin)

Discover Extra of California

For much more enjoyable in The Golden State, take a look at my picks for the greatest locations for youths in California.

Since San Juan Capistrano is a part of the O.C., check out extra issues to do in Orange County with youngsters.

San Juan Capistrano is simply 30 miles from The Happiest Place on Earth, so be sure you assessment these suggestions for visiting Disneyland with youngsters.

For a singular California household trip in San Diego County, take into account venturing to the desert panorama of Borrego Springs with youngsters.

Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano With KidsThings to Do in San Juan Capistrano With Kids

Save These Issues to Do in San Juan Capistrano

In your future California trip, maintain this record of what to do in San Juan Capistrano with youngsters. Merely pin the picture above or beneath to Pinterest. I hope you’ll comply with me on Pinterest when you’re at it!

Do you could have any suggestions or questions for exploring San Juan Capistrano or Dana Level? Tell us within the feedback beneath!

A Word from Colleen: Residence Inn hosted my household’s lodging throughout our weekend keep as a part of a partnership with this model. We didn’t obtain any further comps or financial funds. All opinions are mine, as at all times.

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