Ortega’s Capistrano Trading Post

Dive into a bit of local flavor and history at Ortega’s Capistrano Trading Post. The crew is full of friendly local folk with tons of stories of SJC and the neighboring mission. The items they have for sale at the store range from useful to eclectic local gems that are tough to find elsewhere.
This is definitely a tourist-​oriented dive, but also an insightful hot spot for locals to gain a bit of knowledge.
The staff here are always super friendly, and if you ask, they’ll have some interesting stories to tell you about their experience in one of the most haunted cities in socal.

I’ve stopped in here each time I’ve visited San Juan Capistrano, and I haven’t been disappointed. Visiting this store is one of the highlights of visiting San Juan Capistrano.
The front half of the store is on the kitschier side, but it offers up a pressed penny machine (which I LOVE), postcards (for like 20 cents each!), regular greeting cards, jewelry (a range of fine to inexpensive), children’s western themed toys, t-​shirts, and Minnetonka Mocs. The back half however offers a glorious plethora of Native American made turquoise and silver jewelry and other items. The prices are fair, and the staff is incredibly helpful. During my latest visit I stopped in first thing, before visiting the other shops, and I replied honestly that I felt a need to visit the antique mall down the street before committing to purchasing some items I was looking at, and without me even asking, the woman behind the counter offered to hold the items for me for the remainder of the day or until I returned. I did return, after not finding much at the other shops, and I walked out with a bracelet and two rings, all sterling with turquoise.
Call it touristy, but it’s not full of tacky crap. It has some more unique offerings than places at the beach or certain shops you would find in LA or Sacramento. Also, it’s located across from the Mission, which is a tourist destination.

So much fun. Some authentic and lovely Indian jewelry and pottery. Fun historic information to share with friends. A mixture of quality more expensive gifts and treasures mixed in with fun and inexpensive items.

I do not get these reviewers saying this place is too ‘touristy’. I mean, come on, that’s like saying the beach is too sandy. You’re in historic SJC, A TOURIST ATTRACTION! Anyway, I love this store, the staff is great, particularly the guy that sells the amazing selection of Native American Jewelry in the back. I almost didn’t want to write this and spoil my secret jewelry spot, but I feel compelled to share a good thing with the world. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.

There are few times in life when a visit to a kitsch store is as rewarding and fulfilling as this one was.
Just kidding! This place is kinda boring with a lot of the typical tourist trap junk. It’s also rather dated, with a feel of the ‘60s.
On the other hand, it has a large selection of Indian jewelry and pottery, etc. at inflated prices.
If you are in the area, perhaps visiting the mission across the street, it might be worth a walk-​through. But I wouldn’t go out of my way.

i get all my turquoise jewelry here…

san juan capistrano
!!! check it out, im so happy with my turquoise

Smashed penny machine :)
Supposedly, if there’s nothing that catches your eye at the Mission’s gift shop, then you come over here.
The Trading Post is across the street from the Mission, so it’s not a bad walk. They have a lot of novelty items, but it might be considered «old-​fashioned» for the kids these days. It’s a pretty big store, with lots of Indian jewelry in the back.
Service was okay. They would help when asked, but they’d prefer to finish their conversations first. Very leisurely, laid-​back attitude that the employees had, for the most part.
Prices aren’t bad. Good place to get souvenirs.

My last name is Swallow, so I made it a point to attend the Swallow’s Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano. I was CERTAIN I’d find amazing swallow merchandise at the parade and come home with the cutest swallow necklace of all.
Nope. Not the case. I assumed the Capistrano Trading Post would be a great place to find my swallow memorabilia. Also not the case. The trading post was full of cliché swallow stuff.
I would recommend getting the «free story» at the trading post on the day of the parade, though. It helps explain what the day of the return of the swallows is all about. Just don’t get your hopes up if you are looking for great swallow-​related memorabilia.

I worked here 100 years ago when I was a high school kid. Offering everyone a «free swallow story» didn’t make me as popular as I had hoped, but I definitely honed my sales skills hawking the religious statuettes, cap guns and ‘party naked!’ bumper snickers that were popular in 1988. It was here I discovered the joy in giving, buying my mom a keyring with my employee discount that read, «I got PMS! Puttin’ up with Men’s Shit!»

Although most of us will find this store very touristy, those of you who enjoy silver Indian jewelry, artwork and Indian souvenirs will find this place very very interesting.
Definitely worth a stop inside for a look. They have jewelry ranging from cheap to expensive, but the real draw is how they will tell you the story of the swallows of the Mission SJC if you stop to ask them.