Swallows and Mission History at San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega HwySan Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2601 Phone: (949) 234-1300About
Mission San Juan Capistrano is a monument to California's multi-cultural history. The mission truly embraces its Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and European heritage in artful displays and special events throughout the year. Originally built as a self-sufficient community by Spanish Padres and Native Americans, the mission was a center for agriculture, industry, education, and religion. Now it has extra cache as the site of an annual pilgrammage--of swallows. Thousands of the tiny birds nest here in spring and summer, then leave on almost the same day every year--heading south to Argentina on October 23 and returning to the mission on March 19. Not bad for a bird that weighs less than an ounce.
