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San Juan Bautista Mission
Rating Details »
Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Churches [Edit]
408 2nd StSan Juan Bautista, CA 95045
(831) 623-2127
22 reviews for San Juan Bautista Mission
Amen!
This has been my favorite place since my childhood. The wonderful surroundings, the peacefulness you feel here it's unexplainable.
I adore San Juan Bautista's Mission.
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I'm a Hitchcock-nerd... so taking this trip was on par with a bit of a pilgrimage for me.
Eerie and interesting, I can say I've done it... but I don't think I'll do it again.
I will agree that photogenically, it's amazing. But as a tourist destination, it's alright. The history is cool, but nothing that knocked the socks off me or my man (who is less of a Hitch fan).
Some of the building is rundown, and it's missing a lot of museum touches you would expect (placards with history or stories, for example).
It's pretty cool since I love Vertigo. But if you're not a huge fan, I say skip it.
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Continuing my mission of seeing as many missions as possible before I leave the states, I found this mission amazing and really beautiful. Got here Sunday as Mass started so that was an extra treat. The mission had these UNseen speakers over which you could hear soothing music... what a great thought! Entrance as usual through the gift shop, into the mission's museum with relics of centuries gone by, and the best rooms were the very last two, with books on display and holy robes. Lighting is kind of dim for those with cameras... the wooden floors are very trodden and very beautiful, if you notice those details. The garden area is very nice also, but the cemetery on the other side allows a scenic view but with nameless thin simple wooden crosses. Very solemn but very refeshing at the same time. The church itself is very nice and roomy.
PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: Not the best of lighting for camera-users. Brace yourself using a high ISO for your magic-box or take a tripod. There are a billion possible pics available to you there. I loved the hanging lights in the church, the worn floor-boards and little details of the displayed books. If you snap the books with flash behind the glass, be sure to stand at an angle as to avoid the flash glare. There are many gorgeous details to be seen, and appreciated. Lighting is very dim within the roofed-areas but not impossible as my images show. Please don't forget the town's downtown area which is a gorgeous historic sight for all who stay for more than just the mission. Fotos posted....
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#8 on my Oct 2009 Mission trail, visited on the 22nd. The beautiful mission with its expansive grounds is in a bucolic setting, surrounded by several other historic buildings. The bell tower, NOT as seen in "Vertigo," is very striking, but I can easily picture the whole thing toppling over in the next quake. Benny in the gift shop was delightful to talk with. I really appreciated that they provided a "map" of the figurines displayed in the richly ornate altarpiece! The museum is good-sized and holds some great displays.
http://www.flickr.com/...
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We arrived early on a hot Monday morning. We could park anywhere on the non-metered, no time limit streets! Nothing was open and few locals or tourists were seen.
The only real signs of life were the many quite elegant chickens, perhaps descendants of the originals there, clucking and pecking on every sidewalk, in every picturesque alley between all the interesting old buildings from the 1700s and early 1800s.
The mission is a special place and is very nicely maintained and presented. Great buildings and exhibits. Mission history is very interesting for both good and dark reasons. It is hard to imagine the impact of these huge enterprises as they rose up in the middle of nowhere. Then there was no town or competing structures.
The gardens are great and if you wander around down at the old road you can look up and see what that mission looked like to travelers as they arrived, the huge chapel and bell tower looming above.
Inside are many exhibits and photographs, old tools and original rooms.
The main chapel is fully used today and clearly this is still a useful facility for the locals after all these years.
Between the mission and the town is the historical state park. The old hotels, stables, wagons and all are well preserved and nicely presented. It is easy to imagine staying at the hotel, eating 70c steaks and then going to the elegant saloon.
The town seems to wake up at around 11:00 and the restaurants open then. There are many antique shops up and down the streets, lots of preserved buildings (but not too preserved) and what seems to be a a very quiet lifestyle.
Lots of places try to cultivate the old-town sort of feeling only to come off as touristy and artificial. San Juan and the mission have a natural kind of ambience that is pretty rare. Years ago, this town was touted as being the "next Carmel", but thankfully that isn't true.
As a side note, I think that this is a great place to take visitors.
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We happened upon the Mission by accident this weekend and loved it. For only $4 per person, I got to see a bit of California history. The building itself is gorgeous with the huge beams and decorative doors. We had our camera and snapped away. Be sure to also walk out the side door of the church to see the graveyard with the huge crosses and colorful fields of flowers in the back (towards the original El Camino route). It's quite picturesque.
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I'm not very religious, though I am dubbed Catholic and had all the ceremonies...I only go to church maybe once a year. But we love coming to the San Juan Mission and maybe even floating through the church as well.
It's old school, from the 1700's... probably one of the oldest things in California, along with the other missions scattered around the state. It's amazing to be standing in the old buildings and realize that THIS is our state's history....some of the only buildings left standing from those old times.
It's fun to donate some money (don't be cheap ya'll!), and walk the tour, we have done it a few times and it somehow never gets old. The little emulated side rooms, seeing all the tools, the baskets, reading the stories on the walls.
Walk the grounds, check out the surrounding buildings. One used to be a hotel, one used to be the stable/barn area. If you walk down near the little graveyard in the back, you'll be on a path. That is the old original El Camino Real. Serious! If you close your eyes and concentrate you can almost priests and their donkeys traveling the dirt route.
Something about this place always seems so peaceful and serene, no matter when we visit. The gardens, the grounds, the people. It's all A+++.
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Time stands still at Mission San Juan Bautista. It is nothing less than beautifful and spectacular. Everything about it evokes a feeling of awe in me. Walk into the sanctuary and see the footprints of animals that walked across the then not yet dry floor tiles, marvel at the simple beauty of the overall structure of the entire mission, bask in the carefully tended garden, stroll on the actual and original dirt road El Camino that runs behind the mission, by some curios in the well stock gift shop, listen to a mass (I'm not even Catholic or Christian), read about the history of the mission and surrounding area, admire the restored paintings on display,
marvel at one the original El Camino Real bells outside the mission.
And when you are all done here, take in the surrounding California State Historical Park. Don't forget the small city garden directly across from the mission that is home to an actual cork tree. It really looks like the cork you see in a wine bottle or on cork board. One would think it would, except I thought cork was remanufactured from raw materials. It's not.
Finally, enjoy some of the many fine restuarants. For such a small town they have quite a selectin, including a German Buffet on weekends.
Also, check out the wonderful flower vase I bought at one of the antique stores (sorry, forgot the name) I posted a picture of it.
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I was watching the movie 'Vertigo' with James Stewart recently. It features the mission prominently in the plot, so it reminded me to visit this mission. I've seen all but one of the California missions and this was a pleasant surprise as it sits on the only plaza (or zócalo) remaining of all the missions. Flanked by the other old wood-framed buildings -- the Plaza Hotel, Plaza Stable, and the Zanetta House -- that make up the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, it's not difficult to get a true feel of the area as it existed so many years ago.
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The World According to Noelle
~Allergic Girl's Guide to Life~
Issue 274
What about now? What about today? What if you're making me all that I was meant to be? What if our love never went away? What if it's lost behind words we could never find? Baby, before it's too late, What about now? The sun is breaking in your eyes.To start a new day. This broken heart can still survive. With a touch of your grace. Shadows fade into the light. I am by your side, Where love will find you.
http://www.youtube.com...
San Juan Bautista Mission was the 15th one to be built. This is a beautiful and breathtaking Mission. The inside of the church is colorful and there are just the right amount of windows that allow the natural light to illuminate the inside of this church. We arrived shortly after 1 p.m. and parking was difficult because there was a 12 p.m. Mass getting out. We were able to find a spot and decided to go into the Mission Shop. Before entering the mission we ventured into the Plaza Hotel across the way and entered the nearby museums. After exploring the museums nearby we went into the Mission gift shop. Not many people are aware of this but entrance to California Missions vary- some are free and some are not to enter; for instance Mission Soledad relies on the kind donations of visitors and Mission San Juan Bautista requires a entrance fee to view their Mission.
I purchased a few items and among them were a tall candle & an empty bottle for holy water. Upon entering the church a little after two in the afternoon I noticed there was mass. I lit my candle for my mom. The priest was in the middle of his homily. Visitors were coming in and out of the church as mass was being said. We took our seats. It took me a few minutes to realize we were at a Tridentine mass. This was my first time at a Tridentine mass and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Tridentine Mass http://www.youtube.com...
Noelle's Notes
Mass Schedule
Saturday (Vigil):
5 p.m. English
Sunday:
8:30 am English
10:00 am English
12:00 noon Spanish
2:00 pm Latin
Daily
12:00 pm English
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This was my second visit to the historic mission in San Juan Bautista, but I was so young the first time I really didn't understand or remember the history. We visited both the mission and the nearby state park. The building itself is beautiful and I think some work has been done on it to make it look like it did back in the 1700's. I believe the building's restoration is still ongoing. It's very cool that the chapel is still in use today for mass and various church services. The mission's garden is breathtakingly beautiful.
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Stopped by here on our way back home from Carmel. Also because of the movie "Vertigo". It wasn't the best restored mission but had something different getting our attentions. The earthquake walk, along the drop was covered in greens and flowers. The old style barn (also in the movie), plaza and hotel around the mission gave us an illusion going back to 100 years ago. A very different and interesting feeling!
P.S. must stay away from the restrooms in the school nearby. It was the worst!!! And I must take 1 star off due to this reason.
This Mission & Town square was featured in Hitchcock's film: Vertigo
It is Old California Its a must see & I love this place!
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Just gorgeous.
Took a detour here the other day as I was on my way out of town...
Haven't been here since 4th grade! It was fun and beautiful. The mission is not supported by California though, so it is 4.00 for adults and 2.00 for children. It's worth the experience. They are in the middle of remodeling and making it better! Awesome collection of rare books, with beautiful calligraphy. Beautiful gardens. The downtown area is pretty freaking cool. They have kept the historical feel of the town, and its just fun to walk around and experience it.
Five stars for the history it captures. Five stars to the great community that surrounds it. Five stars to the active parish that celebrates and worships here.
As a daytripper, this is a spot that very well represents what a Calfornia Mission would have looked like back in the day. The historical walk and museum provide a lot of background on this sites original uses and the garden is well maintained. This place provides one plenty of photo opportunities.
I've also had the great pleasure of occasionally taking part of the church and community aspect of the Mission as well. Some of the members of my immeadiate family are active in the church around here and everything from weddings to funerals have been held by family members here. Recently, I went to their Mission Fiesta, and annual fundraiser that includes a BBQ chicken dinner. This was my grandmother's idea (her birthday) and let me tell you the event was spectacular. The church community is active and well and welcoming. I saw many bikers from the nearby Hollister rally join in the festivities featuring ranchero, classico and banda music. The food was fantastic and plentiful for the $8 it cost. Plenty of area and distractions for the kids or easily bored. The fact that the featured band and the communtiy applauded my grandma on her 83rd birthday with all of us added a special touch.
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I know what you're thinking: where's the bell tower that Kim Novak fell out of? Turns out Hitchcock just built a fake one on the Paramount backlot.
But even non-Vertigo buffs will enjoy Mission SJB, as it's one of the best-preserved of the Norcal missions (probably having to do with the fact that it's been a working parish from its 1797 founding to the present day), with a great museum inside. Wisely, the surrounding town has retained (or been retroactively given?) a historic look to match the mission. Throw in the gardens, the views of the pastoral countryside, and even a stretch of the original Camino Real, and you've got a fairly good evocation of the old Mission days, which is why SJB makes the best base for exploring the San Benito wine country.
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A Central California Cultural gem!
Beatiful church and surronding gardens. You can even see a piece of the original Camino Real right below the church, the old highway for those heading north or south. Very informative museum housed within one of the old Wild West style buildings surrouding the plaza.
This spot is like walking back in time, and it is original construction, not some Disneyesque re-creation.
A great pit-stop or day-trip destination if you are heading down 101 between Gilroy and Paso Robles.
Can't remember the name, but there is a great Mexican restaurant in town too. Classic small Main Street as well, but the Mission and Plaza are the real destination.
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This place is awesome! I agree with the reviewers, it's a great place to go for a day-trip. I THINK I went here on a field trip 15 years ago. I THINK. I went back here to relive that short piece of memory and appreciate it at an older age. It was smaller than I had imagined, but still very beautiful and well maintained.
I first visited the church and cemetery, as mass (in Spanish) was about to start at 12:00P. I had about 15 minutes to look around the church area. Afterward, I visited the garden which had tons of atun (edible cactus)! Then, it was off to the little museum. Everything was kept and I felt taken back into the 1800s. A part of me felt that, and another part of me felt like I was in Nacho Libre. I couldn't help but have flashbacks of Jack Black and his stretchy pants and giggle. Regardless, it was ALL a pleasant experience.
To finish off the little field trip, I got to walk around the neighborhood and visit the old antique, thrift, and art shops. The last stop was a lovely Mexican lunch accompanied by live music.
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In a lot of ways, San Juan Bautista is the Old Town of NorCal. It's got a lot of that neo-Spanish aesthetic design, and a very conscious devotion to its Spanish colonial heritage. This mission is indeed in better shape than some others, but it's also a working historical display, open to the public, and the local area begs visitors to encounter nineteenth century rural California life. The mission makes a convincing and compelling historical backdrop. Well-worth the visit.
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Very beautiful and serene courtyard to walk around and do some good thinking or meditating. The chapel was nice and gives you a real nice worship environment. Didn't find any part of the San Andreas fault. The town itself is very quaint and full of history. Nice town to walk around and check out local life. Love the chickens and roosters hanging outside the mission. The museum inside the Mission is very educational although their museum gift shop has lots to offer as well. We ate at a Mexican restaurant few blocks from the mission. The food are really tasty and great price and service!
On the San Juan fault line with a marker to show the spot, religious relics, a beautiful large main church and a spectacular & simple little chapel out back, a gift shop, museum, jail, stable/ garage filled with carriages, historical residences and a large garden areas. A great mission in the large string of missions.
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This baby is getting added to my list of FAVORITE MISSIONS (because I do have such a list). First of all, the entire town looks like it's dedicated to maintaining the same old-timey factor as the mission -- old buildings with peeling paint, vintage and antique stores, etc. I seriously had an old-timey-gasm just driving through town trying to find the Mission (hint: it's NOT on Mission Street). Anyways, the Mission complex is huge and includes a whole bunch of other types of historical buildings: a beautiful adobe home, a blacksmiths shop and horseless carriage museum, beautiful gardens, a look at the El Camino Real and the San Andreas Fault. The mission itself is huge inside, with different altars (including one for the Virgin of Guadalupe) and beautiful murals. The gardens outside are also pretty spectacular. Inside the mission hallway there are the standard artifacts and stuff that most of the Missions have on display but they really aren't needed, the Mission itself is impressive enough.
