Mission San Juan Capistrano

Founded in 1776, Mission San Juan Capistrano is among California's most iconic Spanish missions, often called the "Jewel of the Missions." Walled gardens, fountains, and the dramatic ruins of the Great Stone Church frame Serra Chapel — the oldest building still in use in California and the only surviving church where Junipero Serra is known to have celebrated Mass. The mission is famous for the yearly return of the cliff swallows, celebrated each spring.

Now run as a museum, it offers free multi-language audio tours and beautifully maintained grounds, plus a short film on the mission's history.

Practical: closed Mondays; allow a couple of hours. An easy, rewarding anchor stop just before the final run to the coast.