Now booking onsite learning experiences for the 2025-2026 school year! Experience the Remember the Builders™ education program at Mission San Juan Capistrano through a variety of offerings, from our partnership with Journeys to the Past, the Discovery Cube and our own guided tours and Mission Matters adobe brick making class, there is so much to do and learn.

Mission San Juan Capistrano is the top destination for fourth-grade students studying California history. Last school year the Mission welcomed over 56,816 field trip visitors! Of those who visited on field trips, 37,200 students participated in education programs, 18,636 students received scholarship funding – thanks in large part to our partner The Nicholas Endowment – and 754 field trips were taken at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

We celebrate the fact that last year teachers rated the Mission’s education program an “A” experience for their learners, citing the quality of the programming and commitment by our volunteers and staff to inspire, educate and impact their learners in a way that is engaging, uplifting and fun.

We hope you will visit and join our efforts this school year to "Remember the Builders," and celebrate the Mission’s upcoming 250th anniversary. View the 2025-2026 Educator’s Guide and book your preferred field trip date today.

Sincerely,

Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Join us for a special program rooted in Native American history and storytelling. Orange County Educator of the Year, Jacque Tahuka Nuñez, will take students on a journey into the lifestyle of the early Indigenous people of California. Children experience lively music, storytelling, songs, games and dance with opportunities to participate. Students leave with a better understanding and appreciation of what it means to be “keepers of the earth” (Presentation aligns with CA HSS 3.21., 3.2.2 and 4.2.1).

Dates Offered Spring 2026: April 14 - April 17

Spring Start Time: 11:00 a.m.

The Mission’s education program, Remember the Builders™ focuses on sharing the many facets of history and ensures that we are celebrating the contributions of the original builders and founders. Since the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, Mission San Juan Capistrano has provided free funding for up to 300 students each day. We still have many spots remaining in early June and very limited opportunities in December and January. The students receive free admission, the self-guided audio tour, "If These Walls Could Talk" and our adobe brick making class. These funds come from fundraising and private donations. This combined experience is valued at $19 per student.

Every student who visits this year will also receive a special commemorative 250th Anniversary bracelet.

BOOK NOW FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR! SPACE IS VERY LIMITED FOR DECEMBER & JANUARY. MORE OPENINGS IN JUNE.

Support the Mission by shopping at the Mission Store featuring many resources for your students back-to-school needs including report workbooks for those studying the California missions, learning kits and activities, water bottles, journals and more!

Net proceeds from the purchases protect the religious and historic significance of Mission San Juan Capistrano and further educational programs, exhibits and preservation efforts.

Download our easy shopping forms to return to Mission San Juan Capistrano on your scheduled Field Trip Day and receive a FREE Mission San Juan Capistrano membership with a 10% discount at the Mission Store all year!

This holiday season, join us at the Mission for “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights.” The Mission offers 10 days and nights of family fun beginning with a new OPENING NIGHT on Friday, December 19 and select days through December 30. 

Walk the Mission corridors, see the historic landmark in beautiful lights, sing-along during the nightly tree lighting program at 5:05 p.m. and take your annual selfie with Santa (through December 23). All of these wonderful experiences and more are included in the price of admission.

A “guest favorite” is the life-sized nativity that will return to the Ruins of the Great Stone Church as well as the stunning light tunnel with over 20,000 lights, community Christmas trees, family wreaths, prayer candles, a 10-foot-tall family Christmas wreath and family crafts by the Crafty Cruiser AR Workshop. We even have unforgettable Mexican hot chocolate by 3:16 Bakery Shop and wine from Native Hands and Rancho Capistrano Winery.

Come experience live musical performances throughout the season, including a harpist in the Serra Chapel on select evenings. This year Capistrano Lights welcomes new performers as well as the return of our annual Dickens Carolers roaming the Mission grounds. An array of new artists is also planned. To view the schedule of entertainment, please visit our website.

Tickets are on sale now. Mission members receive highly discounted rates, up to 50% OFF ticket prices. Capistrano Lights runs from December 19-23 and December 26-30. Get your tickets today.

The Mission offers a $150 value video library FREE to all educators for booking their field trip in the 2025-2026 school year. These additional resources support the “pre” and “post” field trip experience, and extend the learning experience. Our library consists of "In Our Voice: Native American Basket Weaving," "In Our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing" and "In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling."

Catholic school educators from the Diocese of San Diego at their Professional Development Day in August 2025.

The Mission provides complimentary meeting space, lunch and an overview of our Remember the Builders™ program, including how to apply its content in the classroom and post-field trip learning. The day will also feature a keynote speaker and, when possible, a member of the local tribe who will share insights on teaching 18th-century history today.

This program supports learning about the Indigenous people who built the Mission and equips teachers with tools for addressing potentially sensitive or controversial areas of history.

Professional development at the Mission is offered at no cost and gives participants a bird’s eye view of what students experience during their field trip, helping educators better understand the Mission's commitment to impactful learning.



Reservations are required (minimum group size of 8) and subject to availability. For more information and reservations, please contact our bookings department at (949) 234-1306 or email bookings@missionsjc.com

3 Ways to Book Your Mission Experience:

ONLINE Book Today!

Complete online registration and submit

www.missionsjc.com/book

Allow up to 3 business days for your request to be processed.

EMAIL bookatour@missionsjc.com  

Allow up to 3 business days for your request to be processed.

BY PHONE (949) 234-1306

For questions and assistance reserving trip.

Monday – Friday • 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.