Fast Facts of Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano is a city in the southern Orange County of California, United States. It is located southeast of downtown Santa Ana, the metropolitan area of San Juan Capistrano and the Orange County is ‘Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine’ of California.

Few fast facts of the city Capistrano are:

Population
The population of the city was about 34,593 as of U.S census 2010.

Geography
The city has total area of about 14.3 square miles. Of which 14.1 sq miles is land and 0.1 sq miles is of water.

History
The city, San Juan Capistrano is unique in Orange County with an history more than 220 years. The history of the city is often divided into five major eras: Pre-historic Indian life has been found with San Juan Capistrano before 1776. Mission San Juan Capistrano has became seventh mission in California on November 1, 1776.

The period between 1776-1820 is called as Spanish era. Thereafter the period between 1821-1847 is named as Mexican/Rancho era. The period between 1850-1900 is called as Statehood. Most of the homes and strip malls in the city resemble the Spanish architecture that compose the building of Mission San Juan Capistrano. The city is the home to the widest variety of homes in Orange County, a number of 10-million-dollar homes in the gated communities of the hills, and working ranches in its foothills are found.

Interesting fact
The city is best known for the annual migration of the cliff swallows that reputedly migrate every year from Argentina to the Mission San Juan Capistrano. These cliff swallows are very popular in San Juan Capistrano. The birds (swallows) which are protected there are reputed to return from migration, traditionally originating in the town of Goya. Every year, March 19 is celebrated as the annual Swallows day parade and other festive eves. The swallows are reputed to leave on October 23, which is the feast of St. John of Capistrano.

But since 2009, these reputed swallows failed to return to San Juan Capistrano. They instead began migrating in the Chino Hills where they have built mud nests in the eaves of Vellano country club. It is because of urban modernization, mission is no longer a taller building that stopped attracting swallows for nesting.

Economy
The city is home for approximately 1,792 businesses. It is situated one hour from San Diego and Los Angeles. It markets via interstate 5 and State route 73. The active chamber of commerce provides a forum in which business owners can exchange information and learn from each other. The city’s business license process is hassle-free for every one.

The unemployment rate in the city is 8.3%, as of 2012. The sales tax rate is at 7.75% as of 2011.

Attractions
Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, Trabuco Creek, El Adobe De Capistrano, Los Rios District are some of the few attractions or ancient historic places famous for tourism in San Juan Capistrano of California.

Capistrano also has good lodging facilities, with good number of restaurants present in the city. This makes tourists have a comfortable weekend vacation in the city.