Mission Carmel - San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Mission Carmel was the Second California Mission

• Cost: Fee charged
• Hours: Open 7 days a week, but hours vary. Closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving and December 24th through 26th
• Reservations: Not required
• Location: 3080 Rio Road, Carmel
• How Long: At least 1 hour
• Best Time to Visit: Any time
• See It Now: Photo tour

Visiting Mission Carmel

One of California's oldest Spanish missions, with one of its prettiest mission churches, Mission Carmel is the burial place of Father Junipero Serra, Father of the Missions. They have an excellent small mission museum, along with the Munras Family Heritage Museum, dedicated to a prominent Monterey family.

In December, the San Francisco-based a capella musical group Chanticleer holds some of its Christmas holiday concerts in the old mission.

Mission Carmel History

Founded June 30, 1770 by Father Junipero Serra
Named Mission San Carlos de Borromeo de Carmelo for Saint Charles Borromeo, the Bishop of Milan who died in 1538

Interesting Facts about Mission Carmel

• Father Junipero Serra is buried at Mission Carmel

• Mission Carmel has unique architecture, with stone walls and an arched ceiling

Mission Carmel Chronology

1770 - Father Serra founds
1771 - Moved to Carmel River
1784 - Father Serra dies
1794 - 974 people at mission
1823 - Population down to 381
1834 - Secularization
1859 - Mission returned to church

Getting to Mission Carmel

Mission Carmel
3080 Rio Road, Carmel
Carmel Mission Website
Telelephone: 831-624-1271

Mission Carmel is located in Carmel, California. Turn west off California Highway 1 onto Rio Road, just north of the Carmel River Bridge. Mission Carmel is on the left, at the intersection of Rio Road and Lasuen Drive.

More: Mission Carmel History | Mission Carmel Buildings and Layout | Mission Carmel Photos