One of the oldest towns on the Central Coast of California, Mission San Juan Bautista was established in 1797 by Fr. Fermin de Lausen. During the Gold Rush, the population of the area quickly grew. The town was eventually incorporated in 1869.
The character of the architecture and doors, the small scale of this old western town, as well as, the charm of the historic mission make San Juan Bautista, in my eyes, a perfect place to spend an afternoon. Another draw for us to San Juan Bautista is our favorite Mexican restaurant, Jardines De San Juan, which offers a large garden patio area for dining and a spectacular cactus and flower garden at the back of the property. More to come on Jardines later.
For now, please enjoy a photo tour of a few of my favorite places and doors in San Juan Bautista.
This post was inspired by Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors.
Thursday Doors is a weekly feature sponsored by Norm Frampton allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite doors from around the world.
Capturing Moments 
Nice pictures. San Juan Bautista is one of my favorite places to visit in the Bay Area!
Thank you, Ann. San Juan Bautista is a special place.
Donna
Such beautiful pictures. I love visiting my brother who lives in the Bay Area, from the midwest : the hills, the ocean, the landscape! Your pictures make me long to be in those spots. Thanks – I enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed them. Hope you get to visit your brother again soon. There are so many lovely spots to see. I often feel like I’m on vacation when visiting places in the Bay Area.
Donna
Thank you.
I am glad you notice and appreciate it as well- your stunning photos are a testimony to it. Many a time, residents get “used to” it. I have secretly wished we moved there.. ha!
It is so much prettier in your pictures, and looks like someplace far away in Spain. A friend of mine here happens to be a direct descent of one of the first Spanish people to land in Monterey, although I do not remember the name of that side of his family. His family is one of only a few who have been here longer than mine, and mine missed the Spanish and Mexican Periods.
Agree. The beauty is there; it’s just hard to see with all of the distractions, especially on the weekends when the bikers roll into town. Very cool that your friend’s, as well as, your family have been in the area for so long.