In the Middle is the Plaza Stable

Built about 1861, to handle the extensive stage and wagon traffic that was a central factor in San Juan's busiest years, the Plaza Stable was operated by a succession of men including John Comfort, a partner of Zanetta's who also operated the Plaza Hotel bar. At one time there were seven stage lines operating through San Juan and up to eleven coaches arriving and departing daily. The bulk of the traffic was between San Francisco and Los Angeles, but San Juan was also on the main route between the San Benito Mountain quicksilver mines, Hollister, Watsonville, Monterey, and Santa Cruz, and was the primary staging, trade, and supply center for a wide area of cattle and sheep ranches.

In 1876, the railroad bypassed San Juan Bautista and the little town's boom years were over. The stable has been restored to its appearance of the 1870's when it was handling the well-groomed, well-matched teams of the Coast Line Stage Company; inside, an assortment of carriages and wagons is on display along with harness and other items. Behind the stable is a blacksmith's shop with many of the tools used in the wagonwright trade.

To the Right is the Plaza Hotel

Facing the plaza next to the Castro adobe is the hotel that Angelo Zanetta built in 1858. It has been restored to look as it did in the 1860's, when the town of San Juan Bautista was a important stop on the stage route between Northern and Southern California.

Zanetta, a professional restauranteur and hotel man, had already established a reputation for fine food and service in New Orleans, Monterey and San Juan hotels. In 1858 he purchased the land and the low-slung adobe buildings that stood next to the Castro adobe facing the plaza. The buildings had housed Spanish soldiers as early as 1813-14, but their walls were still solid.

Zanetta added a wooden second story complete with balcony, sleeping rooms, and other conveniences. The hotel's grand opening in January 1859 was widely advertised and thereafter the hotel's dining room and bar quickly became famous for their fine food and drink. Zanetta's reputation as a genial host also spread far and wide.