Dia de los Muertos altar at Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
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Living in San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is an inland city in south Orange County, a few miles up the valley from Dana Point. About 35,100 people live here, per the 2025 Census estimate. The city grew up around Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, and the Los Rios Historic District sits next to the train depot.
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Quick facts
- People in the city
- 35,1192025 Census estimate, about even with 35,174 in the 2020 baseSource
- Schools
- Capistrano Unified School DistrictAll public schools in the city are CUSD campusesSource
- Downtown San Diego
- About 1 hr 5 minAbout 65 miles south on I-5, no traffic
- Downtown Los Angeles
- About 1 hrAbout 57 miles north on I-5, no traffic
- Irvine
- About 20 minAbout 17 miles north on I-5, no traffic
- John Wayne Airport
- About 25 minAbout 20 miles, no traffic
- Train
- Metrolink and AmtrakSan Juan Capistrano station at 26701 Verdugo St, with an Amtrak ticket officeSource
- Property tax
- About 1.02%1% base plus the city's 2008 open space bond and Metropolitan Water District debt (1.02314% total) in most city tax rate areas for 2026-27Source
Neighborhoods
Belford Ranch Established
Estate neighborhood in the eastern part of the city.
Capistrano Unified
Capistrano Highlands Established
Hillside neighborhood with homes overlooking the valley.
Capistrano Unified
Downtown and the Mission Established
Walkable historic core around Mission San Juan Capistrano and Camino Capistrano.
Capistrano Unified
Hidden Mountain Established
Hillside neighborhood of larger homes in the city's hills.
Capistrano Unified
Los Rios Established
Historic district along Los Rios Street next to the train depot, with old homes, shops and cafes.
Capistrano Unified
Marbella Established
Gated community built around the Marbella Golf and Country Club.
Capistrano Unified
Mission Hills Established
Neighborhood of single-family homes on the hills above the city center.
Capistrano Unified
Rancho San Juan Established
Residential neighborhood of single-family homes.
Capistrano Unified
The Oaks Established
Equestrian estate area in the eastern part of the city.
Capistrano Unified
Lines are general descriptions and boundaries are informal. Rancho Mission Viejo villages such as Sendero and Esencia are next door in unincorporated county land, not inside the city.
Schools
Capistrano Unified School District: All of San Juan Capistrano Find your school by address
CUSD campuses in the city Source
High schoolsSan Juan Hills High
Capistrano Union High (continuation)
Capistrano Union High (continuation)
Middle schoolMarco Forster Middle
Elementary schoolsHarold Ambuehl Elementary
Kinoshita Elementary
San Juan Elementary
Kinoshita Elementary
San Juan Elementary
Other CUSD campusesBridges Community Day
South County Virtual Middle
Early Childhood Center
South County Virtual Middle
Early Childhood Center
A normal week here
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Camino Real Playhouse, San Juan Capistrano
Crafty Saturday: Halloween crafts
San Juan Capistrano Library, San Juan Capistrano
Everything this week in San Juan Capistrano · Friday nights · The Brunch list · Kids
Property taxes
| Who taxes it | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| General levy (county, city, schools, districts) | 1.00000% | Source |
| San Juan Capistrano 2008 open space bond | 0.01464% | Source |
| Metropolitan Water District debt | 0.00850% | Source |
| Typical total, before exemptions | About 1.02% |
1.02314% in 72 San Juan Capistrano tax rate areas in the 2026-27 county rate book. A few areas run higher, and Mello-Roos special taxes are billed on top where they apply.
The basics
TrashCheck with the city. City website
WaterSanta Margarita Water District, which took over the city's water and sewer in November 2021 SMWD
PowerSan Diego Gas & Electric SDG&E
GasSoCalGas SoCalGas
VotingOrange County Registrar of Voters OC Registrar
The short version
Quick answers
How many people live in San Juan Capistrano, California?
35,119. 2025 Census estimate, about even with 35,174 in the 2020 base.
What school district is San Juan Capistrano in?
Capistrano Unified School District: All of San Juan Capistrano
How far is San Juan Capistrano from San Diego?
About 1 hr 5 min to downtown San Diego, about 65 miles south on I-5, no traffic.
What is the property tax rate in San Juan Capistrano, California?
About About 1.02% per $100 of taxable value, typical total, before exemptions, adding up General levy (county, city, schools, districts), San Juan Capistrano 2008 open space bond, Metropolitan Water District debt. Homestead and other exemptions lower the bill.
What neighborhoods are in San Juan Capistrano?
Belford Ranch, Capistrano Highlands, Downtown and the Mission, Hidden Mountain, Los Rios, Marbella, Mission Hills, Rancho San Juan, The Oaks.
When is trash pickup in San Juan Capistrano?
Check with the city.
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