San Juan Capistrano, CA Real Estate

San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano in southern Orange County was created around the Mission San Juan Capistrano, and many of the homes and strip malls resemble the Spanish architecture of the mission. It is home to the widest variety of homes in Orange County, from 10 million dollar homes in the gated communities of the hills, homes built prior to 1900 in its central district — some being adobes from the late 1700’s — and working ranches in its foothills. San Juan Capistrano is probably best known for the annual migration of the swallows, which migrate each year from Argentina in March. After Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, the mission is Orange County’s third busiest tourist attraction.

The city is the site of California's oldest residential neighborhood, Los Rios. It is also the home of the oldest in use building in California, the Serra Chapel in the Mission. The area was the site of both the first vineyard and first winery in California. The area was also the locale of the first Zorro novella, The Curse of Capistrano, published in 1919.

San Juan Capistrano is located just off Interstate 5 and is served by both Metrolink commuter trains and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner. The train depot is a destination in itself -- it was built in 1894 and is still in continuous operation, although train operations occupy only the platform area now. The old waiting and baggage rooms, along with some old freight and Pullman cars have been turned into Sarducci’s Capistrano Depot Restaurant. Nearby, in an 18th century building is the El Adobe Mexican restaurant, which was frequented by President Nixon when he was at the Western White House.

While most of South Orange County tends to be new and modern, San Juan Capistrano represents the best of Orange County's historic roots. San Juan Capistrano California homes for sale come in an eclectic mix of condos, farms, detached homes and estates. Entry level and regular single family residences occupy the valley floor and city center. As you move to the outer edges of this valley, you will encounter gorgeous California estate homes and the golf course community of Marbella.

Real estate is roughly divided into several regions – Del Obispo, Mission District (the older, central portion of town), Ortega (heading toward the east of town along highway 84), and San Juan North (toward Mission Viejo) and San Juan South (toward Dana Point and San Clemente.)

The city is served by Capistrano Unified School District. High school students currently attend schools outside the city boundaries at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, and San Clemente High School in San Clemente. In the 2007-2008 San Juan Hills High School opened off La Pata, with about 600 freshmen students. Ultimately, nearly all San Juan Capistrano's high school students will move to this new campus as well as some students from Capistrano Beach and southern Ladera Ranch.