Where is San Juan Capistrano, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is San Juan Capistrano, California Located in the United States? - San Juan Capistrano is a city located in the Orange County in California, United States. San Juan Capistrano lies between 33.5017 Degrees North latitudes and -117.6626 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of San Juan Capistrano, Orange, California

Where is San Juan Capistrano Located in Orange, California

About Map: The map shows the location of San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, in the U.S. state of California.

San Juan Capistrano Map, California, USA

About San Juan Capistrano Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, California

San Juan Capistrano is located in Orange County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States along the coastal region of southern Orange County. The city was incorporated in 1961 and was named after the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano founded by Spanish missionaries in 1776, and it developed from a mission settlement and ranching community into a historic city known for its preserved architecture and cultural heritage.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of San Juan Capistrano is 35,196 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 2,400 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, San Juan Capistrano covers a total area of approximately 14.2 square miles (about 36.8 square kilometers), including about 14.1 square miles (36.5 square kilometers) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

San Juan Capistrano is situated south of Laguna Niguel and north of San Clemente, positioned near the Pacific coast within the San Juan Creek valley. The city features historic districts, rolling hills, and nearby coastal landscapes typical of southern Orange County. Interstate 5 and State Route 74 provide major transportation routes connecting San Juan Capistrano to surrounding communities across Southern California.

Top Attractions

San Juan Capistrano offers historic landmarks, parks, and cultural attractions that support tourism and community events. Popular destinations include Mission San Juan Capistrano, Los Rios Historic District, and the Ecology Center farm and education facility. The city hosts cultural festivals and the well-known annual celebration of the return of the swallows.

Transportation

San Juan Capistrano is served by Interstate 5 and State Route 74, offering convenient highway access throughout Orange County and Southern California. Public transportation includes Amtrak and Metrolink rail services as well as regional bus connections linking the city to surrounding communities. The nearest major airport is John Wayne Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the northwest.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official San Juan Capistrano City Website.

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San Juan Capistrano, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CitySan Juan Capistrano
CountyOrange County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWest
Latitude33.5017° N
Longitude117.6625° W
Elevation121 ft (37 m)
Land Area14.42 sq mi
Water Area0.00 sq mi
Total Area14.42 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)35,196
Population Density2,441 per sq mi
ZIP Codes92675, 92693
Area Code949
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-68028
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 49th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in San Juan Capistrano, California

Transportation TypeDetails
Airport NameJohn Wayne Airport / San Diego International Airport
IATA CodeSNA / SAN
PortPort of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach (Regional Access)
Major HighwaysInterstate 5, State Route 73, Ortega Highway (State Route 74)
Train ServiceAmtrak Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink service
Local Bus/Transit ServiceOrange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
  • Interstate 5: Main coastal freeway connecting San Juan Capistrano with Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.
  • Ortega Highway (State Route 74): Provides access between the coast and inland Riverside County communities.
  • Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: Provide passenger rail service along the Southern California coast.
  • John Wayne Airport: Provides commercial air service for Orange County and nearby cities.

Top Places to Visit in San Juan Capistrano, California

Landmark NameType
Mission San Juan CapistranoHistoric Mission and Museum
Los Rios Historic DistrictHistoric Neighborhood
Zoomars Petting ZooFamily Attraction
Historic Town Center ParkCommunity Park
San Juan Capistrano Regional ParkOutdoor Recreation Area
Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness ParkNature Preserve and Hiking Area
O'Neill Regional ParkRegional Park
The Ecology CenterEnvironmental Education Center
Capistrano Valley TrailWalking and Cycling Trail
Dana Point HarborCoastal Recreation Area

Driving Distances from San Juan Capistrano, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
San ClementeCalifornia7 mi15 minutes
Dana PointCalifornia5 mi10 minutes
Laguna BeachCalifornia20 mi30 minutes
IrvineCalifornia25 mi35 minutes
Santa AnaCalifornia35 mi45 minutes
AnaheimCalifornia45 mi55 minutes
Long BeachCalifornia55 mi1 hour
Los AngelesCalifornia70 mi1 hour 15 minutes
RiversideCalifornia55 mi1 hour
San DiegoCalifornia65 mi1 hour 10 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near San Juan Capistrano, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Saddleback CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer programs, career education, business, and health sciences
University of California, IrvinePublicUniversityResearch, engineering, medicine, and sciences
California State University, FullertonPublicUniversityBusiness, education, arts, and professional programs
Chapman UniversityPrivateUniversityFilm, business, law, and liberal arts programs
Capistrano Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies Near San Juan Capistrano, California

San Juan Creek, Trabuco Creek, Pacific Ocean, Dana Point Harbor, and nearby coastal waterways throughout Orange County.

Golf Courses Near San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Hills Golf Club, Marbella Country Club, Talega Golf Club, Monarch Beach Golf Links, and Tijeras Creek Golf Club.

San Juan Capistrano, California — Key Historical Facts

  • The San Juan Capistrano area was originally inhabited by the Acjachema (Juaneño) Native American people.
  • Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Spanish missionaries and became an important early California settlement.
  • The city developed around the historic mission, agriculture, ranching, and transportation routes.
  • San Juan Capistrano was incorporated as a city in 1961 and preserved much of its historic character.
  • Today, San Juan Capistrano is known for its mission history, historic districts, cultural events, equestrian traditions, and nearby coastal access.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near San Juan Capistrano

Facility NameTypeLocation
San Juan Hills High School StadiumHigh School Sports StadiumSan Juan Capistrano, California
San Juan Capistrano Sports Park FacilitiesCommunity Sports FacilitySan Juan Capistrano, California
Mariners Park Sports ComplexCommunity Recreation FacilityMission Viejo, California
Angel Stadium of AnaheimProfessional Baseball StadiumAnaheim, California
Honda CenterProfessional Sports ArenaAnaheim, California

References

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