Dining with ghostS
BY AUSTIN BOYD
On the surface, the city of San Juan Capistrano is the perfect tourist attraction. Old western feel, adorable novelty shops, and even a petting zoo for the kids. During the day, the city is a good trip back in time. However, once the sun goes down and the night takes over; the once charming little town becomes something much scarier…
The City of San Juan Capistrano was built around the mission that is in the heart of the town which was founded on All Saint’s Day November 1, 1776. Named after Giovanni da Capistrano, the Mission San Juan Capistrano is the oldest building in California that is still operational. “The Great Stone Church,” which is located inside the Mission grounds, was nearly destroyed in 1812 when a massive earthquake struck the area leading to the deaths of 42 Native American worshipers. Legend has it that a young girl named Magdalena once lived on the Mission grounds where she fell in love with an artist named Teófilo. In spite of their desires, the elders thought that the two were too young for marriage. This led to them carrying on the relationship in secret. Feeling guilt from her disobedience, Magdalena decided that she needed to repent. Unfortunately, the day of her repentance was also the day of the great earthquake. Teófilo rushed to the church to try and save his love but his efforts proved futile as both were buried under the weight of the church roof. Once the debris was cleared, the two were found embracing each other. It is believed that on some moonlit nights, a select few can see the face of young girl in the sky near the ruins.
The Mission, however, is not the only structure that is believed to be haunted. If you just go a few blocks down the street you will find the El Adobe De Capistrano Restaurant where many have reported ghostly sightings. Waitresses have reported hearing noises at night and claim that they sometimes feel their clothes being pulled. Others say that they often see a little girl sitting in a corner in one of the rooms in the restaurant. The part of the restaurant that has been deemed the scariest by many who have been there is the room that was a former jail cell built in 1812.
The former jail cell is now a wine storage room where any patrons who are brave enough can actually dine in. It is said that the jail cell is haunted by a headless monk and the apparition of a white lady looking through the window. The restaurant was not established until 1948 but it garnered much attention early on for its continental cuisine. Oddly enough, the El Adobe was touted as one of former U.S. President Richard Nixon’s favorite restaurants and he would often go there and eat in his free time.
The mystery surrounding the haunting of San Juan Capistrano leads to some interesting speculation. If one is doubtful of such stories, there is only one way to know for certain and that is go and find out for yourself…