This venue has been VRV (Venue Report Verified); Venue Report Correspondent Micheal Radford Photography has personally visited and photographed weddings at this venue. "My favorite element about Franciscan Gardens is the large, open square space which allows each client to customize their venue space design and decor. My favorite time to shoot is just before the sun sets, when there is a beautiful glow of light behind the lush green walls that enclose the venue. The San Juan Capistrano Mission and Los Rios District surrounding areas also allow the clients to step out of the venue to experience more great scenery, backgrounds and beautiful light." - Correspondent Micheal Radford Photography
A visit to Franciscan Gardens, located in the heart of southern California coastal town, San Juan Capistrano, begins in the most romantic of ways, by rail. The Pacific Surfliner train runs from San Diego, through Los Angeles and up to Santa Barbara, offering views many would never see unless on a surfboard. Which you’re welcome to bring on-board as there are racks to accommodate bikes and boards of any kind. Whatever winter you find within yourself, the Surfliner will evoke an indomitable, invincible summer.
California is known for it’s cool waves, year-round summer sun, palm trees and Hollywood glitz. But the underlying cool of it’s beach cities are those steeped in Spanish history. Disembarking from the train and meandering softly through historic downtown San Juan Capistrano brings us to one of the city’s oldest buildings, The Provincial. Spanish terra cotta architecture and majestic, reclaimed wood castle-like doors open into a stunning, outdoor rose garden and the air changes. It is alive with secrets and pungent with varietals. Living, lush 18ft garden walls not only ensure complete and utter privacy and shade from the California sun, but lend an air of mystery and magic. At night, the venue comes alive with strings of white lights which in photos, seem to resemble fireflies.