LOS RIOS HISTORIC DISTRICT: The Los Rios District adjacent to Mission San Juan Capistrano Mission in California includes 31 historic structures which line both sides of Los Rios Street between Del Obispo and  Mission Streets.

The District comprises the oldest neighborhood in Orange County and includes three adobe homes built  in 1794 for Mission families. Among other significant features of the District are the numerous single-wall board and batten homes erected circa 1887 to 1910. Most homes are private residences. However, some provide specialty retail,  restaurant, and commercial services. For information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (949) 493-4700. 

On a visit to the district, a group of girlfriends met and dined on a gourmet lunch in gardens near the mission. Strolling into a shop (formerly a house) along the small, quaint row of shops and stores in the Los Rios District, we entered a brand new store, a neatly-painted building surrounded by flowering vegetation. Inside we observed cards, collectibles and a variety of items of interest mostly to women.

"Someone died here," said Diane, my friend. Diane's Catholicism never gets in the way of her ability to sense ghosts.  The shop owner her Diane's astonished comment that was meant for me alone, and came rushing over with a frantic look and scared eyes. 
 

"We had this cleansed by a priest before we opened the business," the owner spoke as if pleading for Diane to change her mind.  We attempted to move on, but the woman was clearly disturbed by this revelation that others, too, could sense at least one ghostly presence in her store.

Los Rios Historic District is known for its ghosts.  While the Native Americans don't bat an eye at the thought that spirits reside here (this is where they built the mission for the Spanish settlers), today's inhabitants sometimes face challenges in rectifying their sense of the world and the reality that flies in the face of knowledge as they see it.

What's interesting to this writer my ghost encounters when traveling with other writers. We try to be unbiased in our reports, but sometimes the coincidences that occur are hard to dismiss. We mostly don't publish these stories in print publications, but our corroborative encounters without pre-discussion or knowledge of each other's beliefs in reincarnation, ghosts and religion make our shared experiences memorable.

Historic Buildings and Sites: 

1.Mission San Juan Capistrano: Ortega Highway at Camino Capistrano, Spanish Era  
2.Capistrano Depot: end of Verdugo Street, Statehood Era  
3.Los Rios Historic District: Los Rios Street at Depot crossing, Spanish Era  
4.Rios Adobe: 31781 Los Rios Street (private residence -- view from street only), Spanish Era  
5.Montanez Adobe: 31745 Los Rios Street, Spanish Era  
6."Little Hollywood": Northwest portion of Los Rios district (private residences --  view from street only), Mexican/Rancho through Statehood Eras  
7.O'Neill Museum: 31831 Los Rios Street 
     (hours posted at front door), Statehood Era  
8.Silvas Adobe: 31861 Los Rios Street (private residence -- view from street only), Spanish Era  
9.Avila Adobe: 31831 Camino Capistrano, Mexican/Rancho Era  
10.Garcia Adobe: 31861 Camino Capistrano, Mexican/Rancho Era  
11.Yorba Adobes: 31871 & 31891 Camino Capistrano (now El adobe Restaurant), Mexican/Rancho Era  
12.Twin-Winton Mural: Mercado Village, 31952 Camino Capistrano, 20th Century  
13.Egan House: 31892 Camino Capistrano, Statehood Era  
14.Esslinger Building: 31866 Camino Capistrano, 20th Century  
15.Historic Town Center Archaeological Park Site: El Camino Real at Yorba Street, Spanish Era  
16.Blas Aguilar Adobe: 31806 El Camino Real, Spanish Era  
17.Ferris Kelly Buildings: 31754 Camino Capistrano, 20th Century  
18.Stroschein House: El Camino Real at Spring Street, 20th Century  
19.New Parish Church: Camino Capistrano at Acjachema Street, 20th Century  
20.Site Marker: El Camino Real at El Horno Street  
21.San Juan Capistrano Regional Library: 31495 El Camino Real  
22.Eyraud/Chabre House: 31382 El Camino Real, (private residence -- view from street only), 20th Century  
23.Stone Field: Camino Capistrano at La Zanja Street, Spanish Era and 20th Century  
24.Old Union High School: 31422 Camino Capistrano, 20th Century  

MUSEUMS: O'Neill Museum: Located in San Juan Capistrano's Los Rios Historic District. This rustic but genteel wooden structure was one of the town's first  homes and provides today's visitors with a charming glimpse of life one hundred years ago.  Located at 31831 Los Rios Street, call for hours and admission fees, if any.  (949) 493-8444 

THE MISSION: Mission San Juan Capistrano has been the center of Orange County since its founding by Padre Junipero Serra on  November 1, 1776. Today, it is one of California's most important historical, cultural, and educational centers. Mission San Juan Capistrano is the 7th of 21 Spanish Missions established in California by Franciscan Padres.  Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & Good Friday p.m. Ortega Highway at Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. From Interstate 5, take Ortega Highway west two blocks to the Mission entrance. For information, call (949) 248-2040 (Hours are subject to change, always call before going.)

Where to stay - San Juan Capistrano features several hotels close to the mission.