The History
For more than two centuries, flocks of American cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) have made the 6,000-mile journey from Goya, Argentina to the ruins of the Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano. According to legend, a shopkeeper once destroyed the birds' mud nests, and Father O'Sullivan invited them to take refuge at the Mission — where they have returned each spring ever since. The story was immortalized in the 1940 song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano."
St. Joseph's Day, March 19
The swallows are welcomed home on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19. The Mission hosts a day-long celebration with the ringing of the bells, folklorico dancers, mariachi music, blessings, and family activities in the historic gardens.
- • Bell ringing and welcome ceremony at the Mission
- • Ballet Folklorico performances in the central courtyard
- • Living-history demonstrations across the grounds
- • Free family activities for children
Swallows Day Parade & Fiesta de las Golondrinas
Held the Saturday following St. Joseph's Day, the Swallows Day Parade is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country, with equestrian units, western wagons, and community floats winding through downtown San Juan Capistrano. The parade caps a week of Fiesta events including the Hoosegow Day street party, the Pageant of the Swallows, and Mercado Street Faire.
Official schedule and route: swallowsdayparade.org
Where to See the Swallows
While development has scattered the flock across the region, you can still spot cliff swallows around San Juan Capistrano from mid-March through summer. The best places to look:
- Mission San Juan Capistrano — the ruins of the Great Stone Church and the Sacred Garden.
- San Juan Creek trail — the bluffs and bridges along the creek east of the Mission.
- Los Rios Historic District — the eaves of the adobes at dusk.
- Reata Park & Event Center — open grassland and creek habitat on the east side of town.
Plan Your Visit
Peak season runs from March 19 through late April. Downtown fills up quickly on parade Saturday — arrive early, park at the depot, and pair the trip with lunch on Los Rios Street and a stop at the Mission. See what's happening this week on our events calendar.