Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
adult/child $9/6; 9am-5pm)
Padre Junipero Serra founded the mission on November 1, 1776, and tended it personally
for many years. Particularly moving are the towering remains of the Great Stone Church,
almost completely destroyed by a powerful earthquake on December 8, 1812. The
Serra
Chapel
- whitewashed outside with restored frescoes inside - is believed to be the oldest
existing building in California (1778). Plan on spending at least an hour poking around the
sprawling mission's tiled roofs, covered arches, lush gardens, fountains and courtyards -
including the padre's quarters, soldiers' barracks and the cemetery.
Admission includes a worthwhile free audio tour with interesting stories narrated by
locals.
Los Rios Historic District
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
One block southwest of the Mission, next to the Capistrano train depot, this peaceful as-
semblage of a few dozen historic cottages and adobes now mostly houses cafes and gift
shops. Pick up a free walking-tour guide at the information kiosk off Verdugo St, by the
railroad tracks.
Eating & Drinking
El Campeon
MEXICAN
(31921 Camino Capistrano; $2-9; 6:30am-9pm; )
Real-deal Mexican food, in a strip mall south of the Mission. There's a simple counter-ser-
vice restaurant,
panadería
(bakery) and
mercado
(grocery store). Look for tacos, tostadas
and burritos in freshly made tortillas
, aguas frescas
(fruit drinks) in flavors like watermel-
on, strawberry and grapefruit, and breads and pastries starting at just 59 cents.
Ramos House Café
CALIFORNIAN
(
www.ramoshouse.com
; 31752 Los Rios St; mains $15-20; 8:30am-3pm Tue-Sun)
The best spot for breakfast or lunch near the Mission, this Old West-flavored wood-built
house from 1881 is famous for organically raised comfort food flavored with herbs grown
onsite. Try basil-cured lox, pulled-pork sandwiches or apple-cinnamon beignets.
