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Bring the Mission alive at home with these videos produced by Mission San Juan Capistrano, designed to educate and entertain. For a more interactive virtual experience, book a Distance Learning Program for your school or class.


Online Art Lesson: Paint Serra Chapel Featuring Melanie Rayburn, Mission Staff Artist in Residence

Run Time: 1 hour and 23 minutes

Learn how to paint the iconic Serra Chapel. To paint along with this livestream, we recommend the following supplies: acrylic or gouache paint, white multimedia paper, small pointed paint brush, and a variety of pencils.

Online Art Lessons and Onsite Sketch Tours. are led by Mission Staff Artist in Residence Melanie Rayburn. These classes are designed to be enjoyed with family, friends, and classmates. They accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience and are a fun, interactive learning activity.


Online Art Lesson: Sketch a Mission Holiday Scene Featuring Melanie Rayburn, Mission Staff Artist in Residence

Run Time: 1 hour and 22 minutes

Learn how to sketch a holiday scene and capture the Christmas spirit at the Mission with this special festive-themed class! The subject of this class will be a holiday scene at the Mission. To sketch along with this livestream, we recommend the following supplies: paper, colored pencils, regular pencil, eraser, any kind of black marker, and ruler or something with a straight edge.

Online Art Lessons and Onsite Sketch Tours. are led by Mission Staff Artist in Residence Melanie Rayburn. These classes is designed to be enjoyed with family, friends, and classmates. They accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience and are a fun, interactive learning activity.


In Our Voice: Celebrating Native American Culture Featuring Nathan K. Banda

Run Time: 10 minutes 29 seconds

The Mission is proud to share this special video in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. In honor of the local Acjachemen people and people of all native communities, we are pleased to share this interview with Nathan K. Banda, Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and Mission Bell Ringer. We are so grateful to Nathan for taking time to talk about his people’s history and culture as well as share about his role as an official Mission Bell Ringer.


Online Art Lesson: Koi Fish Watercolor Painting
Featuring Melanie Rayburn, Mission Staff Artist in Residence

Run Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Gather your watercolor painting supplies together for this special watercolor class! The subject of this painting will be the Mission’s resident koi fish, who live in the fountains onsite. To paint along with this livestream, we recommend the following supplies: watercolor paints, paint brush, watercolor paper, pencil, any black marker, and water for dipping your paint brush.

Online Summer Art Lessons are led by Mission Staff Artist in Residence Melanie Rayburn. These classes is designed to be enjoyed with the family and is accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience and are a fun, interactive learning activity for students on summer break.


Online Art Lesson: Cactus Pastel Art
Featuring Melanie Rayburn, Mission Staff Artist in Residence

Run Time: 58 minutes 56 seconds

Pastel art is wonderful for capturing the beautiful sights at the Mission! The subject of this class is the cactus and succulents in the Mission gardens. To sketch along with this recorded livestream, we recommend the following supplies: art pastels set (chalk pastels are preferred), any multimedia paper, and a pencil.

Online Summer Art Lessons are led by Mission Staff Artist in Residence Melanie Rayburn. These classes is designed to be enjoyed with the family and are accessible to people of all ages and levels of experience and are a fun, interactive learning activity for students on summer break.


Native American Storytelling and Basketweaving Video
Featuring Jacque Tahuka Nunez

Run Time: 5 minutes (Full video 35 minutes) 

In honor of the local Acjachemen people and people of all native communities, the Mission is proud to share a special preview of our new education video series: In Our Voice: Native American Storytelling. This video series is presented by Jacque Tahuka Nunez, Native American Educator and member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation. To view the full Native American Storytelling video series, book the distance learning program.

Preview Clip

In Our Voice: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing Video
Featuring Adelia Sandoval and Michael Gastelum

Run Time: Run Time: 4 minutes (Full video 20 minutes)

In celebration of the history and culture of the local Acjachemen people and all native people, the Mission is proud to share a special preview of our new education video: Mission Bell Ringing and Native American Singing on our website and social media outlets. This video features members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation and the full version is complimentary with the booking of any Mission education program.

Preview Clip

Video Tour with Mission Education Director
Featuring Jessica Crossman

Run Time: 1 minute (Full video 1.5-5 minutes) 

Take a sneak peak preview of our new Video Tour, part of our larger offerings of live and pre-recorded distance learning programs. Virtually explore the Mission at your own pace. Each video segment highlights a different aspect of Mission history in 12 short, succinct clips. To view the full Video Tour series, book the distance learning program.

Preview Clip

360° Architectural and Historical View Video Series

Mission San Juan Capistrano is thrilled to debut our new 360° View Videos series, recorded at the Mission’s most iconic locations! These videos recorded views around the Mission in every direction at the same time, letting you look anywhere you would like for a full immersive experience. They can be viewed on a computer, mobile device or VR headset. View the full 360° video series.

360° Immersive Video Central Courtyard view of the South Wing Building

Run Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds

Always the hub of activity, the Central Courtyard was originally an open, bare dirt work area. This southern view looks to the South Wing Museum Rooms that originally served as the padres quarters at the Mission. Both the fountain, named the “Fountain of the Four Evangelists,” and the Mission’s gardens were installed in the 1930s by resident priest Father O’Sullivan. If you look closely into the fountain you may see some koi fish swim by!

360° Immersive Video Ruins of the Great Stone Church View from Center

Run Time: 3 minutes 30 seconds

The Great Stone Church, now in ruins, was one of the last buildings to be constructed at the Mission. The church was built because a larger church was needed to accommodate the growing population. The church took nine years to build but only stood for six. On December 8, 1812, an earthquake struck during an early morning service bringing down the bell tower, collapsing the roof, and tragically killing forty people.


Guitar Performance in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church
Featuring Mark Romero

Run Time: 22 minutes 48 seconds

Filmed live in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, Mark Romero a talented musician and long-time supporter of the Mission shared his musical talent digitally on our social media platforms. Mark Romero has been a long-time partner of the Mission and performed previously at donor events. We are grateful to Mark for his contribution and graciously donating his time to bring you our first ever livestream event.


Flamenco Performance in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church Featuring Duende Flamenco

Run Time: 5 minutes 22 seconds

Filmed live in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, enjoy this traditional and modern flamenco performance by Duende Flamenco. Duende Flamenco has been part of our St. Joseph’s Day and Return of the Swallows Celebration held annually on March 19th for many years. Their first performance at Mission San Juan Capistrano was in October 2008. They have been Orange County’s Flamenco Troupe for over 15 years. 


Harpist Performance in the Historic Serra Chapel
Featuring Dr. Marsha Long

Run Time: 30 minutes 51 seconds

Filmed live in the Historic Serra Chapel, Harpist Dr. Marsh Long performs several meditational and inspiring arrangements including the classic hit made famous by Leon Rene, “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano” Marsha Long has performed previously at Mission San Juan Capistrano events and we were honored to welcome her back.


Monthly Prayer Candle Lighting
Historic Serra Chapel

Run Time: 5 minutes 58 seconds

Watch live as Mission staff lights the red candles in historic Serra Chapel (circa 1782) in honor of our frontline workers, those we lost in 2020 and the individuals mentioned as prayer intentions on our website. During these challenging times, Mission San Juan Capistrano continues to be a place of hope, healing and inspiration. Join us on the first Sunday of every month for our monthly prayer candle lighting. Submit your prayer intentions.


A Bird’s Eye Tour of Mission San Juan Capistrano

Run Time: 2 minutes 30 seconds

Join us on a swallows view of historic California Landmark #200 as you fly over the Ruins of the Great Stone Church (circa 1812), the bell wall or campanario (circa 1813) and through the beautiful Central Courtyard where the gardens are in full bloom. 


Moment with a Docent: The Catalonian Furnaces of the 18th Century 

Run Time: 3 minutes 8 seconds

Mission San Juan Capistrano presents “Moment with a Docent.” Explore how metal was made at Mission San Juan Capistrano during the Mission Period with Mission Volunteer Docent Donna Friess as we explore the catalonian furnaces of the 18th century.


Mission San Juan Capistrano Walkthrough for Students

Run Time: 10 minutes 12 seconds

For those unable to visit the Mission due to the pandemic, use this video to explore the Mission grounds. To learn more about what you see in this video use the Mission map and guide. Use the letters and numbers listed in the video to help you find the location stops.


Live Sunset Stroll

Run Time: 25 minutes 13 seconds

Enjoy a walkthrough of Mission San Juan Capistrano as you stroll through the grounds and see how beautiful the sunsets on the gardens in bloom and historic architecture.

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Tuesday - Sunday, 9AM - 5PM

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Closed for Annual Gala on September 22, 2023.
Closed early Christmas Eve and Good Friday.
Hours subject to change

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26801 Old Mission Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 234-1300

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