PREMIUM VENUE
Franciscan Gardens
Est. 1995
31815 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, California, United States
Up to 250 guests
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Message & Request Pricing
Have a stunning soiree at this Spanish secret garden in the hush-hush heart of old town San Juan Capistrano.
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.
The Lowdown
Type
GardenHistoric BuildingLoft / Warehouse Building
Views
CourtyardGardenHistorical MonumentLandscaped GroundsWater Feature
Style
Garden Party
Romantic
Rustic
Urban
Vintage
Days Venue is closed
Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving Day
Best type of Celebrations
Product Launch
Baby Shower
Bridal Shower
Charity Event
Corporate Event
Dinner Party
Holiday Party
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception
Social Event
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception
Anniversary
Engagement Party

Venue Setting

Franciscan Gardens is one of Orange County California's premier event venues located in beautiful historic downtown San Juan Capistrano, home of the famous Capistrano swallows. Our gorgeous venue is nestled in a scenic location with charming surroundings and is just steps away from the Mission San Juan Capistrano. With its elegant style, Franciscan Gardens is the perfect place to dine and dance under the stars with family and friends.

Capacity

Seated
200
Buffet
200
Standing
250
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Estimated price per head

from $90 to $200

Additional charges

Catering required through venue manager - 24 carrots Catering & Events. 20% service charge is applied on all food, beverage, staff and equipment rentals - Included in per person price range.

Insurance

Additional Insurance May Be Required Depending On The Event

Connect
Request a Venue Tour
Call: (949) 248-1586
Event Logistics and Amenities
(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)
Celebrations hosted here since
1995
Curfew
12 AM
Venue spaces
Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
Catering
Client Must Use The Catering Provided By The Venue
Alcohol
Provided By Venue For Fee – You Must Use The Venue For All Alcohol Services
Music
Indoors & Outdoors
Smoking
Designated Smoking Areas Only
Accommodations
No overnight accommodations, but the Bridal Suite and Groom’s Lounge are available as early as 10:00am the day of the event and throughout the evening. There are a number of nearby overnight accommodations we are happy to share.
Pet-Friendly Events
Yes
Kid Friendly Events
Yes
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Amenities
  • Bridal Suite/Changing Rooms Onsite
  • Street Parking
  • Wifi
  • Ample Parking Onsite
  • Dining Chairs
  • Dining Tables
Inside Scoop

For a small fee, Mission San Juan Capistrano welcomes the unique opportunity to take engagement, or day-of wedding photos on property. Steps from Franciscan Gardens, couples can sneak out during cocktail hour to snap a few photos with the monumental ruins of the Mission.

Venue Features
The scene:
Steps from Mission San Juan Capistrano and the historic Los Rios District, the charming whistle of the local train can be heard from the gates of Franciscan Gardens. Twinkle light wrapped trees and café string lights mimic the sparkle of the starry night above. Franciscan's lush garden, with towering living walls, bright pops of seasonal florals and trickling fountains create an intimate setting for any special event. Vintage accents set the tone for our new timeless indoor space for celebrating with up to 200 of your family and friends until 12:00am nightly.
Design:
Franciscan Gardens is an intimate Spanish-Style courtyard, guarded by elegant wooden gates and adorned with vine covered pergolas. Nestled behind an historic brick building which now features a rustic, urban indoor space, and partially paved with cobblestones, Franciscan Gardens is a gorgeous multi-dimensional hideaway.
Standout venue features:
Bridal Suite and Groom's Room

Indoor & Outdoor Space

Exclusive use of Venue on day of Wedding
Extra perks:
The use of our gorgeous Bridal Suite (400 square feet) before & during the event (getting-ready time is not applied to your event
time – brides are allowed on-site from 10:00am-onwards) – newly-remodeled with wood floors, luxurious seating area, full mirrored
vanity area for the bride, vanity areas for the bridesmaids, music system, and mini-fridge

The use of our fun and relaxing Groom’s Lounge (350 square feet) before & during the event (getting-ready time is not applied
to your event time – grooms are allowed on-site from 10:00am-onwards) - Pool Table, Flat-screen TV with Direct TV Service, DVD
player, comfortable leather sofa, seating areas, and mini-fridge

Charming overhead café string lighting, lamppost lighting around the courtyard, white mini-string lights wrapped around the
trees surrounding the courtyard

Two (2) 6’ft Wood Bar Fronts

Services of the on-site Venue & Event Manager and Assistant Venue & Event Manager*

Elegant Fruitwood Chivari chairs for up to 200 guests (designer wood chairs w/ white, ivory, or black cushions)

Tables including:
 (25) 60” Round dining tables for up to 200 guests (60” round tables that seat 8 - 10 guests each)
 (4) 36” Round High Cocktail Tables
 (1) 48” Round Cake Table
 (5) 8’ft and (5) 6’ft tables for various uses (guest book, gifts, head table, etc.)

(1) Wood Wrought-Iron archway - (for use in ceremony, reception décor, etc.)

(1) Large Bronze Floor Easel

On-Site Security Guard during your event (4 hour timeframe)
Awards & Notables
Awards, recognitions, or noteworthy achievements associated with the venue.
Catersource ACE Award Grace Ormande Platinum Member Little Black Book Member Honored Junebug Member The Knot Best of Weddings Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Awards Style Me Pretty Association of Bridal Consulting Trendsetter Award California Wedding Day - Haute List Wish Upon A Wedding Wedding.com Premium Member Inc 5000 Leading Caterers of America 2013 International Caterers Association Wedding Spot Top 20 Best Venues in Southern California 24 Carrots has appeared on several episodes of Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County as well as David Tutera's My Fair Wedding
Food Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Lounges
This section provides insights into our diverse culinary and social offerings.
Steps from Franciscan Gardens sits the infamous Ramos House Café, as well as the unique El Adobe de Capistrano. Both historical structures, The Ramos House Café is located in an residential home built in 1881 and El Adobe was originally two separate structures - The northern section was originally an adobe home built in 1797 and the southern half housed the Juzgado (court and jails) and was established in 1812.
Located directly across the street from Franciscan Gardens, Swallows Inn is a funky country western bar, a favorite local watering hole.
Venue matched with reports
Dine in a Secret Spanish Garden : San Juan Capistrano, California
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.
Read report
Franciscan Gardens
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