Day trip · Pacific Surfliner
Union Station to Mission San Juan Capistrano
A Saturday on the Pacific Surfliner, no car. The train stops two blocks from the mission, and the trains run every hour or so, so nobody has to watch the clock.
Train times checked September 16, 2026 against the Pacific Surfliner timetable in force, revised June 29, 2026. Mission hours, admission and Mass times checked the same day with the mission and the parish. Check again the week you go.
- 8:10AM
Pacific Surfliner leaves Union Station
Seats are unreserved, so arrive a little early and sit together. It is an hour and a quarter down through Orange County. Missed it? The next one leaves at 10:10.
- 9:25AM
Arrive San Juan Capistrano
The depot is at 26701 Verdugo Street, two blocks from the mission. Walk up and you are there before the crowds.
- 9:45AM
The mission and the Serra Chapel
Founded by St. Junípero Serra on November 1, 1776. The Serra Chapel, from the 1780s, is the only chapel still standing in California where he said Mass, and the Eucharist is still celebrated there. Adults $19, students with ID $11. Open until 5 PM.
- 12:30PM
Lunch on Los Rios Street
Cross the tracks from the depot to the row of old houses, some of the oldest in California, and pick a place with a garden. Or bring something and eat in the mission's gardens.
- 2:00PM
An afternoon to yourselves
The gardens and the ruins of the Great Stone Church are worth a slow second walk. The mission store is open until 5.
- 4:30PM
Saturday Vigil Mass
In the Mission Basilica, the parish church right beside the mission. It counts for Sunday. There is a 6 PM Vigil in Spanish as well.
- 5:45PM
Back to the depot
Two blocks. If Mass ran long there is no rush: the train after this one leaves at 8:37.
- 6:36PM
Pacific Surfliner heads north
Watch for the Anaheim stadium lights on the left. If you are quicker after Mass, the 5:37 gets you in at 6:57.
- 8:04PM
Union Station, then dinner downtown
Finish the day together before heading home.