Dozen Distinctive Destinations
San Juan Bautista, CA
Year Listed: 2008
A celebration of cultural heritage in San Juan Bautista, California.
Credit: City Hall Staff
A few miles off of Highway 101, nestled in the heart of the San Juan Valley, is the small town of San Juan Bautista. Known as the "City of History" for its unparalleled collection of Spanish colonial architecture, San Juan Bautista exudes the charm and the character of the past. The location for Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece, Vertigo, this Spanish mission town lures visitors with turn-of-the-century architecture, wooden sidewalks, tall Western storefronts, Adobes and the centerpiece of the town, a stately mission church, offering an authentic and unique glimpse into Old California.
Today, the tale-telling relics of the mission - in continuous use since 1812 - fascinate visitors, including quirky details such as a cat door carved into the chapel door with 180-year old paw prints. Surrounded by meticulously groomed gardens, the mission sits on what is the last original Spanish plaza in the state. A striking example of a 19th century village built on a traditional Spanish-Mexican colonial plaza plan, this National Historic Landmark is composed of five buildings completed between 1813 and 1874. It features the Casto-Breen Adobe, the Plaza hotel, originally built to house Spanish soldiers protecting the mission, a stable with a collection of buggies and wagons, a blacksmith shop, a saloon, a jail and other furnished buildings that augment the frontier atmosphere of the town. A historic walking tour of the area encompasses nearly 50 sites of interest.
4th graders at the San Juan Mission in San Juan Baustista, California.
Credit: City Hall Staff
The city also boasts a variety of cultural experiences ranging from the "Living History" events held each month to the celebrated theatrical presentations of California’s most acclaimed bi-lingual troupe Teatro Campesino. All over town, San Juan celebrates its ties to Mexican and other southwestern traditions through artists studios, antique shops and distinctive restaurants.
The nearby De Anza Trail offers visitors the opportunity to retrace the route of the historic Anza Expedition as it made its way north to settle San Francisco. Visitors can explore the trail and the nearly 100 historical sites along the way on foot, bike or horseback Other outdoor adventures include the Fremont Peak State Park. The 11-mile drive along a twisting road takes visitors through canyons and over ridges, offering expansive views of Monterey Bay.
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