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San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission (Carmel Mission)
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission (Carmel Mission)
Monterey Bay
view website3080 Rio Road Carmel
Carmel, CA 93923
831-624-1271
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-K
School-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Special Collection
History Museum
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission (Carmel Mission) Description
One of the best preserved of the Spanish missions that established Western immigration to Calfornia, the Carmel Mission still has the 5-foot-thick stucco walls and wooden carved reredo ceilings of the original building. Surrounded by courtyards and gardens, its peaceful retreat that makes a perfect quick history lesson between beach and shopping. (Carmel's pristine beach with its squeaky white sand is one of our favorites on the entire coast.) We got chills visiting the Convento Museum, which houses the cell used by Father Junipero Serra and where he died in 1784. Two separate museums, the Harry Downie museum and the Munras family museum tucked behind the basilica house many original artifacts that bring to life the daily activities at the mission.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: Young children will miss the literary allusions, of course, but will still have fun sitting on the life-sized Red Pony, riding in the Model T, and playing with the many action-oriented exhibits and games.
School-Age Kids: Kids study mission history extensively, so my daughters thought it was fun to see the artifacts they'd read about in history books.
Planning Notes
- Plan ahead. The mission is closed for a number of holidays, so call ahead if you're visiting at Christmas, New Year's or Easter.
Just the Facts
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26.
Fees: Less than $10
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
What's Nearby?
- Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) 425 Washington Street
Monterey, CA 93940
831-649-6444 36.599115833333336 -121.89233277777778 - Old Fisherman's Wharf Fisherman's Wharf No. 1
Monterey, CA 93940
36.60357694444444 -121.8934338888889
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