Only blocks away from Mission San Juan Capistrano, Heritage Barbecue, and Mayfield, the new River Street Marketplace combines retail and dining in an entirely outdoor 60,000-square foot courtyard-style mall with its own paid parking lot. A dozen stores include Free People, Hobie Surf Shop, Rowan, Salt, and Seager, as well as a flower shop (Pick Me), while eight dedicated restaurants have ranged from La Vaquera (since closed) and McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams to Mendocino Farms and Ubuntu. Additionally, two businesses have alternated between market and restaurant operations: the Meat Cellar originally operated a counter selling raw steaks, sausages, lamb, venison, pork, and chicken alongside a dining room for lunches and dinners, while Fermentation Farm continues to sell fermented vegetables, condiments, and drinks to go, with tables for sit-down breakfast and lunch service.
Another major draw is Rodeo River Street, a hallway-length collection of 10 small food and drink vendors similar to ones at Stanton’s Rodeo 39 Public Market. Collectively, these small businesses add plenty of options to the existing shops on and near San Juan Capistrano’s Los Rios Street historic district, and main Camino Capistrano drag. Ample public seating is available inside Rodeo, many of the Marketplace’s restaurants, and in its central courtyard area.
