Unusual & Offbeat Destinations in Mission Viejo, California, United States
1. Lake Mission Viejo
A private freshwater lake offering boating, fishing, and scenic views.
- Private Access: Only residents and guests can access the lake.
- Variety of Activities: Offers multiple water activities like boating, fishing, and paddleboarding.
- Scenic Views: Provides beautiful vistas of surrounding hills and homes.
2. O'Neill Regional Park
An expansive park with trails, picnic areas, and a historic adobe.
- Historic Adobe: Contains a restored 19th-century adobe building.
- Trails and Picnic Areas: Offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and horseback riding facilities.
- Wildlife Observation: Provides opportunities for wildlife viewing, including birds and deer.
3. Saddleback Buttes County Park
A unique park with dramatic geological formations and hiking trails.
- Geological Formations: Features two prominent buttes and a canyon.
- Hiking Trails: Offers several trails with varying difficulty levels.
- Night Sky Observation: Ideal for stargazing due to minimal light pollution.
4. Mission San Juan Capistrano
A historic Spanish mission with gardens and a renowned annual event.
- Historic Spanish Mission: One of the oldest missions in California.
- Gardens: Features beautiful gardens with native plants.
- Annual Event: Known for the famous Swallows Day return event.
5. Mission Viejo Nursery & Garden
A unique nursery with a large selection of rare and exotic plants.
- Rare and Exotic Plants: Offers a wide variety of unusual and hard-to-find plants.
- Knowledgeable Staff: Staff is experienced and knowledgeable in plant care.
- Landscape Design Services: Provides landscape design services to help create a unique outdoor space.
6. The Ranch Restaurant & Saloon
A historic restaurant and saloon with western decor.
- Historic Western Decor: Features western-style decor, including antique furnishings.
- Live Music: Offers live music events and dance lessons.
- Authentic Western Cuisine: Serves classic western dishes like steak, ribs, and homemade pie.
7. SkyPark at SoCal
A unique trampoline park with wall-to-wall trampolines and attractions.
- Wall-to-Wall Trampolines: Offers a vast area of interconnected trampolines.
- Attractions: Includes dodgeball courts, foam pits, and extreme trampoline zones.
- Parties and Events: Hosts parties and events for all ages.
8. The Candy Gallery
A candy store offering a vast selection of unique candies.
- Vast Selection: Offers over 2,000 different types of candy.
- Custom Creations: Creates custom candy creations, including candied flowers and fruit.
- Candy Tours: Offers behind-the-scenes tours of the candy-making process.
9. Old Town San Juan Capistrano
A historic town with shops, restaurants, and a mission.
- Historic Shops and Restaurants: Features unique boutiques and eateries in preserved historic buildings.
- Mission and Gardens: Includes Mission San Juan Capistrano and beautiful gardens.
- Annual Events: Known for events like the Swallows Day return and Night of Lights.
10. Mission Viejo Lake Forest Bike Trail
A scenic bike trail connecting Mission Viejo and Lake Forest.
- Scenic Route: Provides beautiful views of hills, parks, and lakes.
- Length and Difficulty: Offers a 7-mile route with varying difficulty levels.
- Connections to Other Trails: Links to other bike trails in the area for extended rides.
11. Canyon View Park
A park with panoramic views of Saddleback Valley and hills.
- Panoramic Views: Offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and hills.
- Hiking Trails: Features a network of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
- Picnic Areas: Provides picnic areas with tables and grills for outdoor dining.
12. Sherman Library & Gardens
A botanical garden showcasing exotic and subtropical plants.
- Exotic and Subtropical Plants: Features a diverse collection of exotic and subtropical plants.
- Historic Estate: Located on a historic estate with a beautiful Mediterranean-style house.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs, workshops, and guided tours.
13. SkyZone Trampoline Park
A trampoline park with attractions like dodgeball courts and a foam pit.
- Trampolines and Attractions: Offers wall-to-wall trampolines and various attractions.
- Parties and Events: Hosts parties, events, and group activities for all ages.
- Flexible Booking: Allows for flexible booking of jump sessions and events.
14. San Juan Capistrano Beach
A secluded beach with beautiful views, picnic areas, and surfing.
- Secluded Location: Provides a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
- Surfing: Ideal for experienced surfers due to strong waves.
- Picnic Areas: Offers picnic areas with tables and grills for outdoor dining.
15. Las Ramblas de San Juan
A Spanish-style shopping center with unique shops and restaurants.
- Spanish Architecture: Features Spanish architecture and design elements.
- Unique Shops and Restaurants: Offers a variety of shops and restaurants with unique offerings.
- Events and Entertainment: Hosts events, concerts, and entertainment throughout the year.