Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano — Attraction in San Juan Capistrano

Ok, well first I have visited 19 of the 21 California Missions and several in other states as well.

First, Mission San Juan Capistrano is by far the most expensive to visit, double the cost of any other Mission.

Second, I have visited several times and on a recent trip to San Diego I stopped by to pick up something from the gift shop as I have done several times in the past.

So I walk up to ticket window and ask the guy for a shopping pass and he says there is no such thing, and I am like what?!?! Of course there is I have utilised them several times, heck even Disneyland will let you in free for an hour to spend money. Then he proceeds to tell me that the gift shop is not run by the mission but by Ortega's Capistrano Trading Post and anything they sell at the mission is also sold across the street.

So I go across the street and at Ortega's they told me that they are NOT related to the Mission Gift Shop and they tell people this lie all of the time. Besides the fact that the item I wanted to purchase was not available at Ortega's.

I can be an a$$h0|e at times and this royally pissed me off. I went back to the Mission and went right up to the window with the guy and demanded his boss. In front of him through the window I tore him apart to his manager, calling him the liar that he is while she tried in vain to defend him. This went on until the manager of the gift shop was called over, who told me that (surprisingly) they do not sell the item I was looking for. So then I tore into the original manager a little more, that they wanted me to buy a day's admission to visit the gift shop and find that they no longer sell the item I was looking for.

I can assure you that the only time I will ever visit Mission SJC is when they are doing the free summer concert series and they will never receive another dime...

I Love the Missions for many of reasons, whether it is the warm environment of the Church services, Spanish and English services are a regular occurrence, The History, or the many services they offer the needy are quite helpful. Christina, at the Outreach Office is always very kind, and a pleasure to talk to. Air Force, AIR FORCE, I'm proud of her son for joining the Military, the same service where my grandfather served as an accountant and USAF baseball player. My only current concern regarding the Mission is that they stopped serving bagged food to the in need and homeless as frequently as I believe they should. I think the limited time schedule is fairly understandable but I do not see a service to provide food on Sundays. I also think as a Mission it is a touchy subject to deny a starving person food due to a time schedule. A case by case basis and weekly limit would definitely improve a great service already provided. Thank you to everyone at the San Juan Missions including the kind and hard working leader of the Food Bank, Steve

Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, located at 31520 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano, California, is a remarkable testament to historical architecture and spiritual significance. Completed in 1986, the basilica was thoughtfully designed to mirror the original 1806 Great Stone Church, which suffered destruction in the 1812 earthquake. This modern reconstruction serves as a vibrant parish, offering regular Mass services and housing a parochial school. Its designation as a minor basilica in 2000 and a national shrine in 2003 underscores its importance as a pilgrimage site and a center for community worship. Visitors and parishioners alike are drawn to its serene ambiance, rich history, and the active role it plays in fostering faith and education within...