Since water conservation is always a challenge for California, this educational center was created to show children and adults how to best conserve this valuable resource. The center aims to engage the entire family in fun activities that will teach some basic environmental conservation that will affect the home and the community. One of the areas is a living garden where children will see and learn where food comes from. The center may also arrange special programs for groups and school children who may visit on an actual field trip. The actual structure, the Congdon House, is the oldest wooden structure in town since it was erected in 1887.
Blas Aguilar Adobe is a historical site operated by the Blas Aguilar Adobe Foundation that dates back to 1794, when the Mission San Juan Capistrano built a number of adobes to house soldiers and the local Native Americans who worked at the mission. The museum holds numerous artifacts and also offers educational programs.
Able to Change Recovery is a rehabilitation facility offering treatment to individuals suffering from alcohol and drug abuse issues. Services are also offered to the families and loved ones of patients.
The Calvary Chapel is a reformed Evangelical Christian denomination church where all teaching, classes and services are centered on the writings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. The congregation is headed by Pastor John Randall. There is a small bookstore within the church building that sells several of the church's teachings, such as the "Calvary Chapel Distinctive" a prayer manual that the church follows. Calvary Chapel conducts several worship services throughout the week as well as Bible study classes for youth and adults. The website also has archived sermons and a live-feed for weekly services.
Casa de Amma is a housing and care facility for adults with special needs. Care-givers provide vocational, residential, and educational opportunities in a private, non-hospital environment. The programs are designed to each individual's needs and will involve family member participation. The Founders of the program are the late Ralph and Eleanor "Amma" Letherby, who built the private entrepreneurial legacy to fund Casa de Amma.
The Chamber of Commerce is headed by Mark Bodenhamer, the Executive Director, and represents over 300 businesses in the San Juan Capistrano area. It can direct individuals with any issues to the correct agency for assistance. The Chamber is also a great source for finding out information about the town and its webpage has a detailed listing of all businesses broken down into categories, such as restaurants, lodging or auto repair. The Chamber hosts three monthly mixers during breakfast, lunch and dinner. For information regarding upcoming events, be sure to visit the events page on the website provided.
The San Juan Capistrano Library is a branch of the larger Orange County public library system. It is located across the street from the historic Mission Basilica, and mirrors its Spanish architecture, albeit in a more modern style. There is a bookstore within the library that is run by the nonprofit Friends of the Library organization. It receives donated books, which it turns around and sells to residents for a small price. The library hosts books discussions, children's readings and adult book clubs. It has films, art books and art exhibits, and a separate section of the library is devoted to books and films that discuss the history of San Juan Capistrano and the Mission.
Historic Town Center Park is operated by the City of San Juan Capistrano. A jogging path encircles the area, there are wide green areas for lounging and picnic tables for dining al fresco. A large stage and concert dome hosts special events such as the San Juan Summer Nites Concert Series and the South Orange County Community Theatre's Shakespeare by the Sea performances. Groups of 50 or more attendees are required to obtain a park use permit from the city. Alcohol isn't permitted in city parks and the park is closed from sunset to sunrise.
Great Opportunities' mission is to give underprivileged kids an opportunity to realize their potential and to understand they can achieve anything. The nonprofit organization participates in Earth Day Clean Up, Creek Clean Up and other environmental and aquatic activities, such as kayaking. Volunteers are welcome and interested persons can fill out a volunteer form on the website, which also displays photos from past activities, as well as an events calender.
The South Christian Assembly is one of the many religious organizations located in this area. It is a Christian denomination based on the study of the Bible with separate ministries for children, men, women, youth, seniors and a special group called "Narrow Way," where it offers services to prisoners. Sunday services are at 10am and 6pm with Sunday school classes offered at different times according to age group. Check the Web site for details.
The city of San Juan Capistrano was built around the historic Mission complex in 1776. The ruins of this original structure are also located on this property and are now a museum. The Mission Basilica is the more modern structure and home to the Catholic faith headed by Rev. Monsignor Arthur A. Holquin. Mass services are conducted daily in this Basilica building with High Mass held on Saturdays and Sundays. The facility is used by members of the church for weddings, births and funeral services. The site is a registered monument with the National Historic Preservation Trust. In the year 2000, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II named this special place of pilgrimage a "Minor Basilica" and today it is a calling place for Catholics to visit.
