BY ANDREA SWAYNE AND ROBYN WYMAN-DILL San Juan Capistrano’s beautiful valley, where delicious produce is still
handpicked from field and vine, is a natural amphitheater of sorts—fresh food is lovingly prepared and beautiful music resonates each night of the week, beckoning locals and visitors to it’s vital dining and nightlife scene. From the historic downtown to the city’s more inland boundaries,
places to dine, dance, relax and enjoy the magic of a night are abundant. Whether taking in tunes with a meal or dancing the night away, live
music keeps toes tapping and spirits liſted. Te hills seem to resonate good vibes year-round, thanks to great
gathering places like the famed Te Swallow’s Inn, a hotspot for visitors and locals since 1954. With performances by the best local and regional rock and country bands and a well-used dance floor, this authentic honky-tonk is loaded with atmosphere and the hub of action in the city’s historic downtown. “Live entertainment is it here,” said Cal Grimes, Te Swallow’s Inn
manager. “We source all our country acts from the talent pool we find here and in nearby areas.” Te Swallow’s Inn was featured in television and films—most notably
in the 1986 Clint Eastwood movie, Heartbreak Ridge. It is also home to the annual Fiesta Grande, a night of Wild West entertainment and an important part of the city’s Swallows Day Festival celebration. Contes- tants vie for prizes in categories such as Best Dressed Old West Man, Best Dressed Old West Woman and the world-famous Smooth Puss/ Hairiest Man competition where the men start off clean-shaven and the winner is the one who grows the most facial hair during a specified time. “Te Swallow’s Inn has been a San Juan Capistrano mainstay for six
decades,” said Joel Barrett, bartender of nine years. “It is a very eclectic bar. It’s everybody’s bar.” As the birthplace of the California wine industry, Mission San Juan
Capistrano successfully produced the first wine in the state from grapes cultivated on their land. With the addition of wine tasting bars, a tapas bar and a working winery, San Juan has, in recent years, begun to embrace this part of its history and established a great reputation as a destination for wine enthusiasts. Since 1776, when the Mission was founded, the town has attracted a
wide variety of ethnic groups to the benefit of cultural diversity seen in both the music and the cuisine. As the city has grown, this rich heritage has been continually embraced and resulted in a multi-cultural cornu- copia of cuisine. From Mediterranean, Mexican and French, to all- American burgers and barbecue, dining in San Juan is an international adventure for the palate. To get a proper sampling, in just one night, of the variety of culinary
delights the town has to offer, check out the Vintage Food & Wine Festival, held at Mission in October. Te Vintage brings all the flavors
"The Swallow’s Inn is like ‘Cheers’ with a Western flavor. All you need to do is look at the things on the wall and hanging from the ceiling and its 60-year history speaks for itself." Steve Wisneski, Swallow’s Inn customer
together along with a concert by R&B band Family Style. Lots of family fun happens here too. Rancho Mission Viejo Park hosts free movies in the Horse Park in Au-
gust and September. Just bring a blanket and beach chair. Te Regency Teatre is also a great place to catch a flick. And with an onsite café, moviegoers can enjoy beer, wine and food while watching a movie. Te theatre is also home to the West Coast Film Festival in August. For more family-friendly fun, visit ZOOMARS Petting Zoo in the Los
Rios Historic District. Tere you’ll find a historic farm yard, circa 1890, complete with a mini railroad and plenty of space for birthday parties and other special events. Children will delight in up-close visits with ani- mals such as goats, horses, alpaca, sheep, pigs and rabbits and panning for gold at Miner’s Gulch. Aside from the obvious history that has resulted in amassing such a
plethora of great food and fun, what’s the “secret” behind San Juan’s ap- peal as a dining and entertainment hub? “San Juan has taken its place as one of the best destinations in Orange
ZOOMARS PETTING ZOO
County where all five senses are fulfilled. And the fact that the businesses are family run makes a huge difference because you can tell that every- one cares about what they’re doing,” said John Muniz, owner of Guapas Tapas restaurant. “Te atmosphere here is one of good clean fun, with good food, good drink and good friends.”
visitsjc.com | San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce Business Directory & Visitor Guide | 17
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