Carmel Mission is a beautiful mission and is close to Carmel River Inn Carmel Mission, offically "Mission San Carlos Borrome Del Rio Carmelo", sits behind adobe walls in a quiet area of Carmel. Carmel Mission is considered one of the most beautiful missions in the chain of nine missions that stretches along California’s Central Coast.

Carmel Mission offers the visitor peaceful grounds. Founded in 1770, Carmel Mission was the second of the Alta California Missions. For more than 30 years Carmel Mission was the seat of power for the chain of missions on the Central Coast.

In 1836, Carmel Mission was abandoned and its lands were sold off; after that it quickly fell into ruin. Two restoration attempts in 1884 and 1924 both failed. It wasn’t until 1931 that a research and restoration program was started, which would bring the Mission into the form you see today.

A self-guided tour of the Mission can be taken on which you will see two separate museums, a replica of the Mission’s kitchen and library, and a recreation of Father Serra’s ascetic “cell.” At the foot of the main altar lies the final resting place of the founder of the Californian Missions, Padre Junipero Serra, who died in 1784 at the age of 71.

Carmel Mission was designed by a stonemason from Mexico City, and features Moorish architectural elements including a bell tower and golden exterior.

Where you go Carmel Mission is located on Lasuen Drive off Rio Road in Carmel.

What you do Self Guided tours are available of Carmel Mission along with gardens, museum and gift shop. Visit website or call831-624-1271.

When to go Monday thru Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm.

Picture courtesy of Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau

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