San Jose to Salinas

San Juan Bautista: Worth a Stop

San Juan Bautista is a piece of well-preserved California history. Its historic mission is one of the few in California that has never fallen into ruin: it has been used continuously since 1812. It faces a plaza little changed since the late nineteenth century that includes a hotel, stable and two adobe mansions, all original buildings that are over 100 years old.

San Juan Bautista is popular with history-lovers and others looking for a quiet day out. If you like it, find more sights like it in our vacation grab bag.

Best Time to Go to San Juan Bautista

Any time is fine to visit, but since walking is best way to get around, you may want to head somewhere on very rainy days. Holiday and summer weekends are busier and during the school year, you'll find lot of school groups at the mission on weekdays. The mission is open to the public, but it is still an active church and the sanctuary will not be open to the public during Masses, weddings and the like.

Don't miss

Look for 180-year-old paw prints on the tiles inside the mission church door. Also inside in a side room you'll find an old barrel organ, an odd instrument that plays preset tunes surely better known by rowdy sailors than pious fathers.

5 Great Things to Do in San Juan Bautista

• Mission San Juan Bautista: One of California's best-preserved missions, San Juan Bautista has been used continuously since it was built, and the entire complex is still standing. Take a look and you'll see that the bell tower where Vertigo's ill-fated heroine meets her demise is missing. In fact, it never existed except in a Hollywood special effects department.
• San Juan Bautista State Historic Park: This historic park surrounds an open area in front of the mission and features some fine examples of early California architecture. Historic re-enactors are sometimes present, giving it a timeless feel.
• San Andreas Fault: The infamous crack in California runs parallel to the bluff and just below the mission. Look for the historic marker to learn more about it.
• Shopping: San Juan Bautista's small downtown sports some nice shops for browsing and buying.
• Pinnacles National Monument: About 40 miles away, Pinnacles' rocky main attraction is what's left of an ancient volcano, but it's also a release site for the California Condor, and you may see the magnificent birds flying around. Bring your flashlight if you want to hike through the lava caves.

Ins and Outs

For lunch or dinner, our favorite is Dona Esther (25 Franklin Street), where the Sangria is great and the Salvadoran pupusas are even better. Jardines de San Juan is also very popular and has a lovely, tree-shaded courtyard.
You can find public restrooms at the mission and the state park, as well as in some downtown

Salinas

The most popular tourist attraction in John Steinbeck's home town is theNational Steinbeck Center which has some nice exhibits about the author's life and also about the area's agricultural heritage. Steinbeck's birthplace and childhood home is also open to the public and just two blocks away.
If you decide to stay overnight in Salinas, you cancheck for the best hotel rates at Kayak.com. For something different try theVision Quest Safari Bed and Breakfast, a safari-style accommodation where you sleep in upscale tents and get a chance to interact with the owner's trained animals, and the elephants might even bring you breakfast.