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Tours and Education Programs

Student Audio Tour “If These Walls Could Talk” For Field Trips 

Available in English and Spanish

The Mission invites your students to experience the self-guided audio tour, “If These Walls Could Talk.” The “Choose Your Own Adventure” style tour is loved by educators for putting the student in control of their learning! The audio tour takes learners to 23 stops and introduces them to Indigenous builders, soldiers, padres, and more.  (The tour aligns with CA HSS 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4, 3.3.1, 3.3.2; 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6).

Offered: Monday – Friday
Times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Duration: 80 minutes
Cost: $14 per student
Minimum: 15 students
Chaperones: 1 free chaperone for every 10 students. Additional chaperones can be added to the reservation and will receive a discount by booking in advance at $16 each. Chaperones without a reservation are charged $19 each at the Gate House upon arrival.
Advantages: Can take as much time as needed, student sets own path and pace. Easy to build in breaks for restrooms or snacks. Perfect for learners of all types and needs. 

Guided Tours For Field Trips (Limited Availability)

Led by trained Mission guides and volunteer docents, this tour takes learners on a journey through Mission history while visiting the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, Serra Chapel, industrial area, original buildings and gardens.  (Tour aligns with CA HSS 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6).

Offered: Tuesday through Friday
Times: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $16 per person/includes use of transmitter and complimentary earbuds
Minimum: 25 students
Chaperones: 1 free per 10 students. Guided tours are limited to 1 adult chaperone per every 10 students.  For groups with large parental involvement, we recommend reserving our audio guided tour, “If These Walls Could Talk,” where there is no limit on the number of parent guests.
Advantages: Personalized experience, includes free earbuds and use of audio transmitter giving students a focused tour that reduces distractions.
Disadvantages: More costly and all guides have different styles.

Mission Matters: Adobe Brick Making Class

Join us as we explore life at the Mission in this hands-on program where students learn about the jobs of  the original Acjachemen builders, including building the Mission with adobe bricks.  Students gain a greater appreciation of the Indigenous peoples’ contributions. Students also learn about precious resources while being instructed in making their very own adobe brick to take home.  (Presentation and activities align with CA HSS 3.2.4, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.5) and NGSS (Earth Science 3-ESS3-1, 4-ESS2-1). 

Offered: Monday through Friday
Times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Location: Picnic area, unless raining. Subject to cancellation pending weather.
Cost: $5 per student. Program requires payment based on a 15-student minimum. Minimum age is 5.

Notes: This program is not guaranteed to be private or exclusive to one school. Be advised, students will get their hands dirty.  Hand washing stations are provided. Gloves are available on a limited basis for sensory sensitive learners if mud play is not suitable. 

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Educating with our Partner Programs

Animal Tracks: Animals and the Acjachemen People
Presented by Discovery Cube Orange County

Discovery Cube takes your student on a journey to the past with an interactive program that introduces students to the kinds of animals that were important to the Acjachemen people and their way of life. Through hands-on activities and demonstrations, students will explore the biodiversity of animals, understand their cultural significance, and investigate the interdependence between animals, the Acjachemen, and the environment. Each participant will learn about animal adaptations while creating their own Animal track casting to bring home. (Workshop curriculum aligns with NGSS: 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 5-LS2-1).

Offered: Monday
Duration: 60 minutes
Start Time: 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Location: West Gardens, unless raining. Subject to cancellation pending weather.
Capacity: 30 – 90 students
Cost: $7 per student

Note: This program is not guaranteed to be private and exclusive to one school at a time.

Illuminating the Past: Candle Making in the Spanish Missions
Presented by Discovery Cube Orange County

Join the Discovery Cube for its second program which leads students on a quest to learn about candle making during the time of the Spanish missions in California. Students engage in discussions and participate in hands-on activities to understand light sources during the early years of the Spanish missions and how important candles were. In their exploration of scientific concepts related to energy transfer, light reflection, and patterns, students will create their own candle with personalized decorative features to bring home  (Workshop curriculum aligns with NGSS: 4-PS3-2, 4-PS4-2, PS4-3).

Offered: Wednesday and Friday
Duration: 60 minutes
Start Time: 9:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Location: West Gardens, unless raining. Subject to cancellation pending weather.
Capacity: 30 – 65 students
Cost: $7 per student

Note: This program is not guaranteed to be private and exclusive to one school.

Journeys to the Past
Presented by Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Native American Educator

Rooted in Native American history and storytelling, this program was founded by Orange County Educator of the Year Jacque Tahuka Nuñez  and takes 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 an appreciation of and what it means to be “keepers of the earth” (Presentation aligns with CA HSS 3.21., 3.2.2 and 4.2.1).

Due to Jacque’s desire to cut back and enjoy a partial retirement, this program may feature Jacque’s son Jackson Tahuka Nuñez, a next generation Acjachemen storyteller.

Dates Offered Fall 2026: October 13 – October 16, 2026
Fall Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
Dates Offered Spring 2027: April 13 – April 16, 2027
Spring Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: Central Courtyard, unless raining. Subject to cancellation pending weather.
Cost: $7 per student/chaperone

Note:  This program is not private or exclusive to one school.

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Field Trip Chaperone Policies

• The Mission allows 1 free adult chaperone for every 10 students. All adults with a school group will be given a special sticker indicating they are an approved part of the field trip as either a teacher/aide or chaperone. 
• For audio tours, additional paying parents, over the free 1:10 ratio, are welcome to join. They get a reduced entry rate of $16. If they show up on the day of field trip, they are charged full price of $19.
• Due to space limitations on guided tours, additional parent chaperones over the 1:10 ratio are not able to be accommodated. For groups that want to have more parents, we recommend the student audio tour.
• The Mission is closed to the general public on Mondays. If scheduled for Monday, all guests including parent visitors must be paid for on the invoice in advance. Walk-ups are not permitted. 
• Any “aides” needed to support students requiring accommodations (mobility, hearing, sight, learning, spectrum, etc.) get free admission. 
• Teachers and teacher aides are always free!

Audio Tours Chaperones
• Teachers and chaperones help check-out, distribute, and return the audio wand players.
• Teachers and chaperones are responsible for damaged or lost audio players.
• Audio tours will be made available to adults if there are enough devices in stock. 

Guided Tours Chaperones
• Teachers may divide student groups evenly into smaller groups (of no more than 34 guests per group) for the staff or volunteer docent guided tour (this includes chaperones and students).

Utilizing Your Chaperones: Please Read
• Chaperones should be assigned to lead a group.
• Chaperones to set a good example by listening when Mission staff, volunteers
or education partners are speaking.
• Chaperones to stay with students at all times.
• Chaperones should be actively watching their assigned student groups.
• Chaperones to turn off/mute their own cell phones during the guided tour.
• Chaperones manage students who have attention or behavioral issues.

Let us know of any concerns immediately. We are here to help! Was our staff visible, supportive and helpful?  Let us know how we did after your field trip by completing our survey. 

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Booking and Payment Information

Ways to Pay for Your Field Trip

• Send a check by mail, email purchase order, or pay with a credit card online.  
• Make checks payable to Mission San Juan Capistrano at:
  26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA  92675
• Field trips and tours are “tentative” until payment is received.  
• Full payment or purchase order must be received at least 60 days in advance of the field trip date.
• At 45 days out, tentative holds will be canceled if payment has not been received. 
• For assistance, please call Group Bookings at (949) 234-1306 or email bookatour@missionsjc.com.  

Field Trip Cancellation, Late Arrival Policies, and Refund Policies

• Cancellations must occur 60 days in advance of the reservation date in order to receive a refund. 
• Cancellations within the 60 days window will not be refunded. The funds will be directed to the Adopt-A-Class Scholarship Program.  
• Payments are nonrefundable.
• No shows or tours canceled on the day of arrival are not eligible for a refund and will not be rescheduled.
• Programming may also be canceled if a group arrives more than 30 minutes after a scheduled start of docent guided tour, Discovery Cube programming or Mission Matters Adobe Brick making.
• The Mission is not able to guarantee same day arrival adjustments, changes or refunds based on the number of attendees that actually show up. If student count is lower than purchased amount, vouchers for free admission will be provided to missing students.

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Program Pricing

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Content Standards

Mission San Juan Capistrano provides students with the highest quality, standards-based field trip experience. All our learning programs support the California History-Social Science Content Standards and Framework (CA HSS). In addition to this, many of our education programs also align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). While educational experiences are geared toward 3rd and 4th grade, they can be adjusted for any grade level. We look forward to hosting your students here. 

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Educational Staff

KENDRA FLUHR Group Bookings Manager
Phone: (949) 234-1306
Email: kfluhr@missionsjc.com

JANE TACKETT Group Bookings Coordinator and Educational Outreach
Phone: (949) 234-1358
Email: jtackett@missionsjc.com

GUEST SERVICES Gate House and Field Staff
Our friendly and knowledgable staff help facilitate a positive field trip experience, welcome students and review safety expectations.  They will be available to help you find your way around the Mission, and have an inspired learning experience. Our staff is committed to ensuring an excellent guest experience through service, stewardship and safety.

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