VAQUERA
San Juan Capistrano, California
7,320 sq ft
Vaquera stands as the centerpiece of River Street Marketplace, a new large-scale development in the charming coastal town of San Juan Capistrano in Southern Orange County, California. From the outset of this project, we envisioned River Street as a destination for every kind of visit—whether for a quick bite and a glass of wine or a full day of activities capped by dinner on La Vaquera’s outdoor patio.
Our goal was to design a space that would serve both as a visual anchor for the property and as a welcoming oasis—one that felt connected to the vibrant main lawn at the heart of the development. We wanted to create a venue that was bold and distinctive, a place where guests could see and be seen, yet also relax in comfort and style.
To elevate the dining experience, we redesigned the building so that the entire space was oriented towards the park - rather than the parking lot. We opened up the entire dining room wall to the park by adding two 17 foot tall accordion-style garage doors. Extending out to the patio, a trellis seamlessly extends the roofline, acting as both a visual focal point and a practical shade structure for the patio. The bar area was also extended out to the patio, creating a lively indoor-outdoor experience that takes full advantage of Southern California’s warm climate.
Inside, guests are greeted by a dramatic 30-foot vaulted ceiling with skylights. A striking bar—faced with cowhide panels—anchors the room. Overhead, massive custom sheep wool light fixtures (crafted from vegan fur sourced from a small sheep farm in Northern Scotland) soften the volume while adding acoustic warmth.
The dining room offers a range of experiences, from the intimate kitchen-window nook overlooking the open hot line, to breezy tables by the open doors with park views. At the center of the space, a unique round booth structure—designed in such a way that all six booths face in a different direction–anchors the center of the room while maximizing the number of tables that comfortably fit in the space.
And if you find yourself longing for your mama or questioning that cowboy you married? That’s just part of the experience.
Photography by Wonho Photography