San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 14, 2020

1. Mission San Juan Capistrano Marker

Inscription. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Saint Serra. As the seventh of the 21 California missions, and the only mission in Orange County, it hosts the State's most historically significant chapel, Serra Chapel (1782) and the ruins of the Great Stone Church (1806-1812). The mission welcomes people from all over the world as a place of inspiration and education. Mass is celebrated daily.

Erected 2017 by Orange County. (Marker Number 54.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 33° 30.12′ N, 117° 39.752′ W. Marker is in San Juan Capistrano, California, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Ortega Highway and Camino Capistrano, on the left when traveling east on Ortega Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano CA 92675, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: San Juan Capistrano Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); The Founding Documents of Mission San Juan Capistrano (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Stone Church

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Metalworking Furnaces (within shouting distance of this marker); Olive Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Kiicha (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); Fr. Serra’s Church (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Juan Capistrano.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mission San Juan Capistrano (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Additional keywords. California Historical Landmark No. 200

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 14, 2020

2. Mission San Juan Capistrano Marker

Mission and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 14, 2020

3. Mission and Marker

The marker is at far right.

Great Stone Church ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 14, 2020

4. Great Stone Church ruins

Mission San Juan Capistrano image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 14, 2020

5. Mission San Juan Capistrano

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 11, 2026

6. Mission San Juan Capistrano

Historic Civil Engineering Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 11, 2026

7. Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 477 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 6, 7. submitted on April 20, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.