Subscribe to My Newsletter
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter. I don’t send any spam email ever!
Menu
Explore Historic Los Rios Street in San Juan Capistrano
If you haven’t been to San Juan Capistrano and walked the lovely street of Los Rios, you are missing out. If you are from Southern California, it is a quick train ride, with the street literally on the tracks.
I’ve lived in San Juan Capistrano for a long time and, you would think that there have not been many changes to a street that is over 200 years old, but there have been. For a long time, it was just a cool old street that you rode your bike down to get to downtown San Juan Capistrano, today it is a step back in time surrounded with charm, attention to detail and small-town appeal.
The Los Rios Street Historic District
Los Rios Street, or rather The Los Rios Street Historic District is the oldest continually occupied neighborhood in California with buildings dating back to 1794.
Los Rios' Historic Roots
I love walking, shopping and dining on this one-of-a-kind street. It was once the home to Indians and soldiers who worked at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. The neighborhood originally had 40 adobe structures, with three of those structures remaining, the Montanez House, the Rios House, and the Silvas House, the other 37 were replaced with wooden board and batten buildings. Thirty-one of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and some even thought to be haunted.
Living and Working on Los Rios Street
I think one of the most interesting parts of this little street is the fact that if you would like to operate a business on this street, you must live in the structure that you work from. The City Council believed that if a business owner lived in the structure, they would put the care into maintaining the building and preserving this incredible past. With that in mind, plan ahead if you intend to dine. The restaurants are all one of a kind and such a rich and enjoyable experience, but they are popular and close early with no dinner options to give the residents a break from the tourists.
Spend the day on Los Rios Street
It is such an enjoyable afternoon, take the kids and visit Zoomars the petting zoo, have an afternoon tea, or enjoy and unbelievable brunch at Ramos House. Then walk the streets, witness the history, ponder if you could live on this little street, enjoy the gardens, find the old jail, have your palm read or do a little shopping. Then you are just a quick walk back to the train station to revel in a unique and lovely day.
DISCOVER YOUR NEXT
California Adventure.
Southern California
Central California
Northern California