The Jewel
of The California Missions Historic Mission San Juan Capistrano The grounds & gardens. After touring these gorgeous grounds, both my husband and I wanted to come home immediately and plant succulents! The iconic bell wall adjacent to the Great Stone Church. The back of the bell wall The ruins of The Great Stone Church which was completed in 1806 and destroyed in an earthquake in 1812. The altar You can see the restoration of the columns here. The original altar steps These are the original bells that once hung in The Great Stone Church. And last, but not least, the newly conserved Serra Chapel, the only standing church where Father Junipero Serra is known to have said mass. I hope you enjoyed this tour of the most beautiful of all the California Missions. Being a California girl, I grew up visiting and learning all ab...