Carmel Mission Basilica Museum

Fully restored Mission worth the visit! Final resting place of Junipero Serra. 21st Mission, went for my daughter’s 4th grade project. Flowers were in full bloom with wonderfully kept courtyards and gardens.

Practically fully reconstructed mission with quadrangle this was an impressive mission to visit. None if this was original as it was completely abandoned after secularization and collapsed over the years. Touring the church and all the structures was like going back in time. Quite large museum of artifacts of the time. Free parking.

Beautiful Mission . Went here on Palm Sunday . Was my cousins first time visiting. We did the self walking tour . So much history here . We all enjoyed the Mission. It was our last one on our weekend Mission trip . The people in the gift shop were so nice too. Definitely recommended visiting here .

A historical stop to spend a few hours just exploring the grounds and chapel. Take your time and enjoy your experience.

I really like how they maintained the place, you can really appreciate the history of it all. Lots of items to gawk at and the information signs are very helpful. You can walk around the chapel and just chill in the courtyard under the huge trees, it’s just really nice. Parking is free, but there is an admission fee. As you exit, there’s a gift shop where you can get a bunch of trinkets.

Beautifully restored basilica with a small museum. The museum could use some work to provide better insight and interpretation of the history surrounding this mission.

Sooo glad we made time for this on our trip to Carmel and Monterey. So peaceful and historic. A must stop if you’re in the area.

This is a must visit place when you come to Carmel. It's a beautiful Catholic Church that's open until 4 pm. We were lucky to see a wedding when we came and visited and the place is stunning. There are plenty of things to see and places to discover in here, and they offer a great variety of keep sake at the store.

The church was lovely and very historic. There's a garden and fountain when you enter and there's a back garden which was bigger. Around the other back portion was a small cemetery near the restroom. We attended the Saturday night vigil and it lasted an hour. The priest gave a nice homily and the mass was full of people.

A serene mission that serves as an active church and museum. There were a few free parking spots at the entrance. There was a small stand where we bought tickets for $15 per person. We were given a brochure and everything was self guided. The single staff member made sure to point out the museum in the back of the mission as many visitors miss it. The mission courtyard was spacious and clean. The fountain offered soothing quality, contributing to the sense of tranquility. The mission forecourt had a similar ambiance except with more greenery. The Convento museum had information and artifacts of Saint Junipero Serra. This area also celebrates the fact that this mission housed the first Californian library. The Jo Mora Chapel Gallery housed a massive Memoral Cenotaph. The sculpture was polished and giant so it stood out against the older artifacts. Especially with the fact that Junipero Serra was smaller in stature, the Cenotaph loomed over everything. There was a screen of a parish member giving historical context to the room but it was playing automatically. It would be nice to have a button for visitors to press and restart. The cemetery was well kept and included members of the Parish community. Although some graves were unnamed, I liked how they still gave their respects. The Carmel Mission Basilica was my favorite landmark. The walls were lined with impressive sculptures and paintings. The final resting place of Junipero Serra was placed near the front of the church. The church was enveloped in a warm yellow light and there were multiple candles lit inside. Our Lady of Bethlehem had impressive displays of Jesus' birth and Mary but I wished there were more descriptions explaining the background and inspiration. The Munras Family Heritage Museum had different collections from the prominent family. There was also a video playing in the room regarding the family history and history of the mission. This was similarly playing on its own without influence from visitors. The store was filled with jewelry and religious memorabilia. I was surprised by how expensive some objects were but there was everything from rosaries to crystal sculptures for sale. This mission was well kept and the overall experience left us feeling renewed. However the $15 entrance and $5 candle lighting fee were a bit high compared to other experiences I've had. I would still visit this as a visitor but those living near by should visit for free during service.

I've been here a few times with the last time being before the pandemic. It's always been a lovely place, the history, I feel like everyone should come here at least once. We were pretty surprised to see they charge now for admission, $15/adult, $12/senior. It used to be by donation only back in the day. So for 2 adults, and 2 seniors, we paid $54 which felt a bit steep. For the price, seems the grounds and greenery could be better taken care of. A lot of plants and flowers looked like they could use some TLC. Inside the basilica, they also charge $5 to light a candle that stays there. You don't even take it home w/you. Seems kind of an overreach for money, in my opinion. There was an area in the courtyard that was on the map was a spot to check out but it was closed off, but it didn't say it was closed for renovation or anything like that. It was just closed off, so we couldn't enter. The gift shop was cute. Friendly staff inside the shop and happy to answer our questions. I did ask about the admission fee and I was told that due to the pandemic, they were going to close. The example used was religious places like the Vatican and other religious Catholic sites around the world are funded by their gov't so they have help. But not here, and they were going to close, so they had to start charging folks. The ticket guy let me know that on Sundays during service, admission is free. There was a wedding rehearsal about to start while we were there, so that was exciting. We asked the shop staff about how much a wedding ceremony costs here. They said to go online. lol. Went online, and they want you to fill out an inquiry form. LOL. we not about to do all of that. I wish they would just list what the base price is on their website.

Visited during the week. They do hold mass at a church on the same site. There was soo much to see and the scenery is beautiful. The traffic getting in was pretty congested, but once we were there it was fine. There is a charge to enter, they also have self guided tours.

I grew up close to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, and had a childhood affinity for visiting old California Missions and gardens, especially those near to the Coast and shrouded in mysterious summer fog. I now know, as an adult, that our California Missions are part of a complex history, that we have a responsibility to understand as Californians. This beautiful, aesthetically pleasing setting, with ample free parking, is probably one of the largest and best preserved of the California Mission sites. It also feels more alive somehow: with an on-site children's school and an active and engaged church congregation. At the same time, a walk through the museum ($12 for adults) is interesting for what it doesn't show. It side steps a tricky history, in favor of glamorizing "Old California." It seems so idealized, now that most people have a greater understanding that these Missions exist, like a good deal of early American infrastructure, due to a brutal and exploitative historical context.

I'm not on a mission to visit all 21 California missions. Not even close. I've heard of the swallows of San Juan Capistrano. And I've been to Mission Dolores and more recently, the nicely restored La Purisima Mission down in Lompoc (review: https://bit.ly/403Zapd). But that represents the depth of my mission knowledge. I know the missionary position, but that isn't likely relevant to this review, is it? Anyway, Jamie W. and I were walking the tony residential neighborhood of Carmel-by-the-Sea when we came upon the expansive grounds. It's the second oldest of the missions, but it struck us as very well restored. Even though there was a service in progress, we thought it would be worthwhile to go through the museum galleries and hang out in the courtyard. Admission was $10, but hey, if you want to know anything about Father Junipero Serra, this is the place to find out. He founded the mission and even died here. There are a lot of statues here, and the chapel looked glorious from a distance. We heathens weren't allowed to enter the chapel during the endless service, so my harp-playing days in the hereafter are likely limited. RELATED - Exploring the Monterey Peninsula? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2NYr6be

I've been to this church several times already. My family and I usually go here during special occasions and whenever we take people to visit Monterey. It's a beautiful church and has so much history. The architecture is amazing, and there are so many things to see, such as the church, museum and gift shop. There are also flowers and greenery everywhere. Extra things to take note of: 1) There are three different areas where you can use the restroom, which I find really nice. 2) If you decide to go for mass, I suggest you go early due to limited parking. 3) Entrance fees have spiked since the last time I visited. Adults are $13 and seniors are $10 each. I can't recall how much it was for kids. If you're ever in the area, I would recommend stopping by and taking a look for yourself. :)

Shrine of Saint Junipero Serra, the Founding Father of California! We're glad we did some searching on Google and came across this historic mission -- Carmel Mission Basilica. Our visit was on a Saturday late afternoon after a revisit to the 17-Mile Drive. Our self-guided tour took a little over an hour as we learned the history of the Mission by exploring and experience. Such a prayerful environment. The Basilica was founded in 1771 by Saint Junipero Serra and when he died he was interred in Church of the Mission. At the Courtyard we saw the very spot Father Junipero Serra erected the mission cross on August 24, 1771. Carmel Mission is an active parish to the community. There were no services or events or even restoration activities that happened during our visit so we were able to explore the entire property without limitations. Inside the main church is huge and beautiful. The Basilica houses many Mission era art and artifacts including an old Confessional Box and Father Junipero's earliest liturgical artifacts of colonial California. Our Lady of Bethlehem Chapel was another part of the Church. Saint John Paul II prayed in this Chapel during his visit in 1987. Other dignitaries who visited Carmel Mission Basilica were President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the First Lady in 1956. In 1960 (then Senator and future President) John F. Kennedy visited the Carmel Mission with his wife (and future First Lady), Jacqueline Kennedy. My favorite part was the garden located towards the entrance. I love flowers. They called it Mission Forecourt. TRIVIA: When I lived in the Bay Area I first learned of Junipero Serra's name from the main north-south roadway in Central California and beyond... Highway 101. It is the same route that Junipero Serra and his companions blazed, The El Camino Real. Review #2590

Such an incredible piece of History. My 4th grade class went here to visit..The museum on the grounds has so many pieces of history. The gift shop has many fine items. They even still have mass here on Sundays. In September there is a great festival here on the grounds. Such a great piece of history.

Such a cool stop in Carmel. Came here to visit since my son's class is learning about missions. It's been years since I visited so it felt like the first time. They have a ton of free parking. Admission is $10/adult + $7/child. Great areas to walk around and the basilica is beautiful! They have a small museum with artifacts and great information. Really educational but in a digestible way. There are many statues and paintings and most feature an informative blurb. Once you are done inside, you can walk out to the graveyard and the inner courtyard. There is a fountain, beautiful landscaping, and some additional historical information.

We didn't take a tour so admittedly didn't get the full experience or history of the place. However, found the Basilica and the gardens to be beautiful and enjoyed walking around.

Since we were in the area, we wanted to check out of the 21 California Missions. Love the architecture! There was construction going on, so some areas were closed off, but we still enjoyed going through the church and checking out the exhibits. Definite must stop!

Finally visited Carmel mission Basilica. Blessed to attend their 5:30pm mass. The church is very beautiful and unique. The outside patio was huge with a beautiful garden.

Okay, what I do not understand is why they charge people to tour the mission. I mean, this is a church and it should be free!! Maybe because we are in a recession and the property tax is expensive? Who knows?? Anyways, my husband and I always come to this mission when we visit the city of Carmel. The grounds itself are beautiful (as pictured below), they have some of the most beautiful landscaping and flowers that I have ever seen. The Mission takes you on a historical history of the Mission and how it was founded and created. The museum shows you room after room of the original library, kitchen, bedrooms (including the bedroom where the priest lived) and one of the most beautiful churches is the highlight of the mission. Quick tip, Catholic services are on Sundays at selected times (there is usually a board that shows the times and dates for church services). They are have a gift shop too for tourists that includes magnets, rosaries, food prepared by nuns and Bibles too. Come here when visiting Carmel; it is a must see!!

Carmel Mission is one of the popular sites in the city. Located about a mile from the main Carmel area. They have a private parking lot. Driving in you could tell this was a historical place. Most missions I have been to do not charge to see the actual building. You have to pay $10 to actually enter the grounds here. You do get a peak of the mission through the outside gates but nothing up close.

I recently tried to visit this church with an Anglican priest and his family from India on Saturday Oct 5th around 5pm. We were late to the museum tour but the service was ongoing. The two Hispanic men who were standing outside the church wouldn't let us in citing that no one was allowed to go into the church since there were only a few minutes left for the service to end. They were both very unwelcoming. While this may have been a made up rule, I think there was more to this. It was really disappointing to the priest and the family as we drove hundreds of miles to get to the Basilica. Having attended catholic schools and being married into the Catholic Church, I have never seen such behavior in any churches before and I can assure you that our church doesn't do this to anyone no matter what time of the service they want to come inside the church. This needs to be investigated and corrected as this is not representative of Christ like behavior.

Good historical sight to see in the Monterey area. It's $10 per person to get in. One of the first missions in Northern California and well preserved. A lot of people have weddings here and it's an active church.

Beautiful and historical indeed! My family has visited this place a number of times through the years. It's part of California history and in this day and age it's especially meaningful. A lot to learn inside; the intro video was nicely done and great for children and adults alike. The small imperfection is now they charge close to $10 per person for admission. This can be a burden if you have a large family or come with a large group. One way to perhaps avoid the expense is to attend their Sunday services. Parking is limited as their lot is small compared to the number of visitors. We had to wait a little bit but it wasn't too long. Carmel is a beautiful town and this mission is located in a very nice residential area so driving around is a pleasure too. I'd say if they can lower the admission to about &5 it would be a perfect destination.

We visited the Carmel Mission on a late Sunday afternoon, in time to attend the church services there. Sitting there, surrounded by history, wondering how many others over the years had been in the same spot was a memorable experience. The church interior is beautiful, with wonderful statuary, and is open for visits except during services. Sundays, because of services, the normal $10 entrance fee is waived, so it's a good time to come and check it out. Parking is free. The Carmel Mission (officially titled "Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo", which you may see on some signs) is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark. It was founded in June 1770 by Father Junipero Serra, and is the only California mission with its original bell and belltower. The mission fell into disrepair after being secularized by the Mexican government in 1833 and was in ruins by 1850. What you see today is the result of a labor of love, a fifty-year renovation begun in 1931 by Harry Downie based on the original architecture and designs. We did not get a chance to visit the museum as it was already closed. But the grounds in front of the church facade, and behind the church, offer up some beautiful picture possibilities. The landscaping is superb, attractive fountains, wonderful large trees, and always the historic mission in the background. Not many places in California have their roots dating back to before the Revolutionary War. Carmel Mission, being one of the few, is worth a visit.

Historic basilica comparable to a small one in Spain. Setting is beautiful against the hills. It's worth the entry fee I think but I got there late so I just made a voluntary donation of my choice. Kids will enjoy it especially as they learn about the mission history in the USA.

Beautiful mission church ! Haven't been in a long time! Visited Monterey and here too. Popular attraction and beautiful place to see if you're catholic (I am) . Looking forward to returning.

We visited the Carmel Mission on a Friday midday, turns out we couldn't go into the Basilica right away because someone was getting married at the time. So they told us if we wanted we could return the next day early in the morning before their next scheduled wedding ceremony. We decided to stick around and do the museum tour while everyone else left, so it seems we got a discount for it since I saw that's its supposed to a charge of $10 per person. Anyways, by the time we completed the museum and the outside grounds which included the cemetery we were able to enter the church for a couple of minutes. This is one of four Missions that designated as a Minor Basilica by the Holy See because of it's cultural, historical, architectural & religious importance. Turns out Father Junipero Serra is burried in front of the church. Regardless of how one feels about how these Missions came to be, these are part of history now. They are worth a visit. After looking at this one I mentioned it to my sister that we should try to visit all 21 Missions, I mean why not we do have then here in California. So this is #1 for us! #2 of 21

Carmel is one of my favorite places to visit. I took a trip here to explore and learn more about Carmel Mission Basilica. There is plenty of parking. It's a beautiful location. The fee to enter is a bit higher then other missions I've visited so far but it was worth it. I got lucky with the weather on my visit. Perfect warm sunny day which made it a lot nicer walking the grounds and taking pictures. Call ahead if you plan on making the trip as mass and weddings occur and can limit what you are able to see if either is in progress.

Pretty cool place to visit! Gives off crazy vibes, wish we would have taken more pics!

If you enjoy old architecture, then you would enjoy visiting this Basilica. If you love gardens, then you would also enjoy going around the grounds to see all the flowering plants and trees around. If you enjoy religious artifacts, then you would enjoy visiting the store to buy what you need. Or if you simply want somewhere peaceful to pray and be closer to God, then this place will not disappoint! We've been visiting here for so many times, when we get to visit friends of ours in Salinas. Driving to get here is not tedious with all the available scenery that greets you on the road. Highway One and the Pacific Coast always provides one with an eyeful of pretty sights! There is a lot of parking available, although during Holy Mass times, this number may dwindle significantly. There is parking available inside the school, though this too may run out quickly during Mass. As a last resort, there is roadside parking available. There is a museum in this Basilica though my family and I have not yet gone. From the time I am writing this review, the pandemic has reduced the number of visitors to the Basilica, the grounds and the store. But all this for good reason anyway. If you're in the area, this is a place you should not miss visiting!

On our last visit to Carmel, we were so excited about seeing this mission. It's history is interesting, and the church is so beautiful. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (or Carmel Mission) was founded in 1770. Although the mission was first located in Monterey near the presidio, it was moved in 1771 to an area near the Carmel River. The church was eventually abandoned in 1836. While the roof had completely collapsed by 1880, it was replaced in 1882. More remodeling took place in 1924, and in 1933, this wonderful mission finally became a parish church. Today, this mission is well-maintained and has a great museum. The interior of the church is beautiful, with paintings and statues that were original to the mission. Although the art was removed when the roof started to collapse in 1851, it was returned after the mission's full restoration in 1924. The garden is truly lovely here, and it's interesting to see the little cemetery where Father Serra is buried. This Carmel Mission was a wonderful educational experience. It was fun to see the mission that was the focus on my son's 4th grade project and see inside the lovely church here. We already look forward to coming back to this mission again on our next visit to Carmel!

A must stop especially if you're Catholic. This mission has a beautiful big chapel for you to sit and worship and mass is offered here too. A museum takes you back in time complete with all the rooms displayed as if time stood still. I've been so San Juan Capistrano, San Luis Obispo, passed by Santa Barbara Mission and Carmel can now be checked off the list. A peaceful sanctuary that should not be missed.

Came here on a beautiful day in Carmel and there was quite a bit to see. Entry is $10 per person and they have a gift shop you can buy souvenirs from. The entire mission can be explored in half an hour but can spend longer there if you choose to :)

This is the first mission I've been to where they charge admission just to tour the grounds. 10 bucks to get in as of November 2020. My family and I were visiting Monterey and my mom decided to stop by here. Keep in mind there are 10 of us, including three young kids in tow. We were still trying to figure out if it was worth paying the admission and we were just outside, to the side of the line. Lady working the admission tent outside was extremely rude and short with us. She made snide remarks about my family to some people who approached, saying "I'm not sure what they're planning on doing, they can't seem to figure it out..." Yeah, that's my family she was making those comments about. We weren't even in the way and not holding up any line. Church ladies are always so snippy. I'm sure it would have been a lovely visit. But that lady left me with a bad impression. Maybe we'll visit another time.

GETTING IN: Parking is free in their large private lot. Admissions is very affordable. Under $10. LOTS TO SEE: The Mora Chapel has a cenotaph. Very cool. There are also bas-relief everywhere. Lots of art to see. The Downie Museum is small but very informative. My favorite part is the Munras Family Museum with its display of a "typical family home" at the time. The Basilica is soooooooooo beautiful. There was a mass going on at the time of our visit. My other favorite is the Convento Museum. So many relics! The garden was a nice stroll. The giant fountain is beautiful. This outdoor courtyard brimming with flowers is a great venue for your special event. The gift shop is large. CONCLUSION: This is a must-see in the area. This Mission is in very good condition compared to some others I've seen. Not only that, they have so many different aspects of Mission life to show and display and they have the "items" to do so such as furniture, tools, photos, clothes, etc.

I havebeen coming to this church everytime I visit Carmel to say prayers. Last weekend, I have never been disappointed as a catholic. We were not allowed to go to the church without "donating." I told the guy we are not going to the museum, just to the church to say our prayers. But the guy told us, no donation, no entry! You're free to go inside the church when there is a scheduled mass. It was not about the money, it's only $10 I guess. It's the principle! I felt like I travelled back in time when people had to pay the friars for the absolution of their sins! I have to pay to enter the church to pray??? I understand tbey have to make money for the upkeep of museums, etc and there might be some unscupulous people out there but please not everyone is a tourist, some just want to pray! The policy of no "donation" no entry to the church is sacrilegious!

The worst! You can spend money on supporting the gift shop , however if you want to use the restroom, you'll have to pay an additional donation to visit the church to use it. 'We don't have a public restroom for the gift shop!' I believe Jesus and all the saints would frown upon that. When Mary & Joseph were looking for an Inn and we're refused...I'm positive they would pay it forward to those looking for comfort. Shame on you. May God bless you and teach you the ways of humility. The church has turned into a BUSINESS. If I could leave negative stars I would....

This is such a beautiful church. My parents were married here and so it has always had a special place in my heart. I got to bring my own husband when we visited the area recently. I loved picturing all of the old photos with my older relatives now gone, standing in front of the church on my parents special day. I love the feeling of stepping back in time and being in Spain. So few places in the West have such a feeling of history. The grounds are beautiful and there are so many things to see and so much history to take in. I know some people are upset at the price to enter. I have zero problem with it. It's a historic building and I'm sure takes a lot to keep up. If you want to enter to pray, there is no charge for mass on Sundays. I am not religious and neither is my husband. I think as long as you enjoy history and architecture this is an enjoyable place to explore regardless of beliefs.

A bit pricy to enter the grounds, but the gardens are so beautiful. It's like you are stepping back in time to a new California.

( Not to be confused with the current CATHEDRAL of San Carlos Borromeo , 500 Church Street, Monterey, CA 93940 ... the oldest stone building in California ) FOR RELIGIOUS WEDDING INFO: https://carmelmission.org/wedding/guidelines/ Forgive me, my friends, my point-of-view on these matters is that the indigenous Native populations should have been left alone, by Everyone; Chuch, Soldiers, Militias, Prospectors, et al. The Vatican's Papal Bulls of the 1400's gave authority to the Catholic kingdoms of europe to conquer, convert, and enslave human beings of the New World who were "heathens". Spanish explorers looked for Native populations as a source of labor, and usually they lived near a reliable source of water. The Spanish arrival would result in fatal disease epidemics sweeping through the Native villages. This brutal decimation worked in favor of the Spanish forces. Natives were rounded up to work at the missions. They were baptized into the faith with a new Spanish name ( Usually of the Saint honored the day of their baptism ). All Native ceremonies and beliefs were to be forsaken, and only the Spanish language spoken. Forced assimilation resulted in a series of revolts at the missions; beginning at San Gabriel in 1771, then San Diego in 1775 where the Kumeyaay tribe actually killed one of the Spanish priests. Revolts happened in the Chumash tribal territory where they held off the Spanish soldiers from regaining the missions for over 4 months. At many missions around San Francisco, the Natives simply sneaked away at night, hundreds at a time. Toypurina, a "medicine woman" of the Tongva tribe formed yet another revolt against San Gabriel mission. After soldiers crushed the rebellion, Toypurina was "deported" to the mission at Carmel! You may feel her presence here at Carmel. Spain lost California (and more) to Mexico. The churches and lands were secularized, Indians were without land. Missions fell into disarray. Mexico's short tenure ended with the U.S. - Mexico war, then California was admitted to the Union in 1850. The first governor of California, Peter Hardeman Burnett publicly stated that a genocidal war will be waged against the Indians. Burnett promised bounty for each Indian scalp brought to government offices. Soon, "militias" of failed gold prospectors hunted down Natives, and whole villages were massacred for their scalps. A lone survivor of the Yahi tribe massacre, a man named "Ishi", had tired of hiding alone. Ishi, 50 years old in 1911, was taken to anthropologists at Berkeley where he lived the final 5 years of his life as "The Last Wild Indian", a minor celebrity. Are we not our brother's keeper? A million "Ishi's" perished, after europeans arrived. Construction crews would constantly unearth mass graves around California where the disease epidemics struck. Nowadays, laws require a Native American Monitor be hired for all major construction jobs, in case skeletons are uncovered. Back to the Carmel Mission. Not hard to find on RIO ROAD, plenty of free parking. You pay $10.00 at the Gift Shop to pass through a door to the actual mission grounds. Carlo BORROMEO, Archbishop of Milan, Italy granted his name to this Franciscan mission, which was first in Monterey in 1770. Soon, Father Junipero Serra wanted to keep a distance between the abusive Spanish soldiers and the mission's Native American females. Serra chose a new site near the Carmel River where land was more suitable for farming. New name: Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmelo (1771) Carmel is an active parish of the local diocese since 1886. It was the head of the California missions with Father Junipero Serra in charge until his natural death in 1784. Serra was recently canonized as a Saint, which may have increased interest in this particular mission. In 2008, and 2013, the structures were extensively reinforced against earthquakes, and ADA-approved bathroom installed. The day of our visit, there were 20 visitors. We all walked around the grounds freely, pausing where we found interest. It was amazing the good condition overall of the buildings and grounds. Please see my photos for this review. BOTTOM LINE: Go early in day, don't be rushed. AFTER: Drive Rio Road into downtown, it becomes JUNIPERO, keep going. Turn Left at Ocean Blvd, this takes you to SCENIC DRIVE along the coast. SCENIC is ONE-WAY ONLY toward south, through a nice residential area. Enjoy the views, ocean air, and beach access. Food & supplies are back along Junipero & Ocean. ..............{ UPDATED with bits of info! March 6, 2018 }

Admission booth woman refused a friend with a SERVICE DOG. The woman claimed all service dogs require papers, which is inaccurate. There's no official government organization that gives out papers for service dogs. It's just an excuse. Those "papers" are fake ones you can buy online. Also, one can easily tell a service dog apart from a pet dog. Is the dog well heeled, is the dog barking, is the dog wondering around, is the dog staying closely to the person with disabilities, is the dog seeking attention from all strangers, etc. For a place of God, this mission sure discriminates against people with disabilities and against service dogs.

My lack of California mission visits is embarrassingly low. I have been to exactly three and one was for my sisters wedding (so I was forced to go to that one). With this being said, I do not profess to be at all an expert on which of California missions you should visit. What's really sad is I have been to more missions in Argentina than my home state. Just two minutes from Mission Ranch you will find the Carmel Mission Basilica. We were here on a Sunday and the place was bustling and Mass was in full swing, but even with all the hustle and bustle I still felt very relaxed and calm walking the grounds and meandering through the courtyard. This place is beautiful and offers endless photo opportunities. Parking here can be tricky, but I did find a lot just to the south on the right. Not sure if it was legal to park there, but my car wasn't towed and no ticket left on the windshield.

You can explore two centuries of California history, when you walk around the Mission grounds, visit the museum and step in to the chapel. This beautiful mission was established in 1771. Like most of the California missions it was abandoned after 1834 and later restored. For more historical information: http://www.carmelmission.org/museum/students/history.php I could easily spend a whole day here just taking photos or just sitting in the garden. I visited on a Sunday and when I heard the choir singing during mass it added to timelessness of the Mission. There is a lot to see and any trip to the Carmel area will be enhanced with a visit to this mission. The early photos of the area are amazing. They show just how much the Carmel area has changed. Who would have guessed at how barren the land once was.

Really a neat place we have been wanting to visit for some time and finally went today. I have to admit we are not catholic so the visit was to view an old mission with allot of history. We were not disappointed, all was clean and well maintained and it's an actual working Catholic Church. There was a wedding while we visited. The history was great a really old and now restored mission with deep roots in California history. I recommend visiting and take your time walking the grounds. The gift shop is large and the ladies there were very friendly.

This is one of the best missions I have visited. Great museum and truly beautiful ground! I would visit again!

Great way to spend a sunny afternoon. On Sundays, it's FREE (suggested donation). When we went, the gardens were in bloom and the colors were poppin ;) Start with the video overview to the left of the fountain. Nice artifacts and photos in that room as well. The cemetery was pretty cool and had a nod to the natives who were forced into labor and died in the mission. Munras museum as well as the museum in the main building are wonderful. I liked the vestments and the nativity scene. Really beautiful building with ornate details. The grounds are really beautiful and I can see why they are a popular wedding venue. Half of the mission is now a school and when we got there, mass was just ending so it's still a functioning church.

It was a nice summer day. For those whom venture here, you may park either in the small parking lot or across the street. We parked across the street on the side of the road. It was a Sunday. There was a sign on the door of the gift shop and it stated how much admission would cost. As we walked in the door, there was a lady that greeted us and informed us about Sunday perk. Since it was a Sunday, they accept donations only. So, I placed a monetary amount into the clear box. Then, we followed the Entrance sign to begin our tour. Once we opened the door, it led into the beautiful spacious garden areas. Flowers and plants were beautiful and many different varieties. Building structures, Junipero Serra School school doors, architecture, tiles, statues, paintings, and the wooden cross on the exterior grounds were all wonderful sights to see! I loved the ringing bells. So beautiful. As we walked into the church, I did the customary sign of the cross after dipping my fingers into the holy water. I then taught my man to do the same. He had a unique holy experience and said some words to ask a question regarding a mysterious pretty fragrance from holy water. I somehow answered words I never said in my lifetime which was "holy essence." The church where the main mass was held is stunning. There was Our Lady of Bethelem in the next small room which was so beautiful. Pope John Paul II now canonized Saint prayed before her in 1987. We prayed with candles before her and went on our way. There was a small chapel that we did not enter since it felt like it was a private event or something. Hope to venture in there next time. I liked the The Nativity Scene near that in a corridor leading to another room. After you entire a building with large rooms, there are many interesting info regarding other missions as well. I liked the map of all the missions in California. Paintings, statues, and exhibits were all interesting. Fray Junipero Serra is the main highlight near the end of the exhibit. A word that popped in my mind as I left was Transformation. As we left in our vehicle across the road, about to depart from sight, words again appeared to me from out of the norm...and I calmly said "God has gave us his blessing." Our visit was phenomenal...

We came upon the Mission by accident. We took a wrong turn. Decided to stop by and check it out. We truly enjoyed the solitude in the beautiful garden. It was quite a relaxing experience there. The artifacts on display were interesting and again, a nice peaceful place to visit. Architecture is gorgeous, everything g is well maintained. clean. We plan on visiting again this weekend. We'll worth the entry fee of 10.00

We loved visiting the mission. Everything is well preserved and the gardens are well tended to. There was a wedding (the third one of the day) going on when we got there so the entrance fee was only $5 per person instead of their usual $10. We were told on Sundays they run 5 masses and they only ask for an optional donation. We waited until the wedding guests left the sanctuary before we went in, but there were plenty of things to see in the surrounding buildings while we waited. Their museum is well laid out, but we noted that there isn't sufficient signage around. For instance there was displayed out in the courtyard what I think was an oil press, but I couldn't find a sign or plaque about it. Also, there's a sarcophagus in the museum, but no plaque to acknowledge whose it is, who built it, or how old it was, etc. We ran into that problem several times. However, we enjoyed our time there. They've put A LOT of hard work into it and it's truly an enjoyable destination.

We visited Carmel Mission Basicilica for my daughter's fourth grade mission project. The grounds are very well kept with beautiful flowers, trees, and plants all about. The grounds offer outstanding photo opportunities, with its location being in such close proximity to the beach. The architecture, along with the history, make for a great learning experience. Not only will this church make a wonderful mission project, but an awesome family weekend getaway as well.

On my first visit to Monterey, I stayed at a lovely boutique hotel called Casa Munrás. It only took me 5 years to make the connection with the rich history of Monterey/Carmel and the Munrás family! The Munrás Family Heritage Museum on the grounds of the Basilica is a MUST when visiting this sacred place. Stored inside are artifacts from a prosperous family with ties to Spain, Mexico and the wild west that is California! Take a few minutes to walk through the museum - there is a short 10 minute video that give the history of 4 generations of the Munrás clan. Discover the landscape of Monterey/Carmel during the 1800's, learn about the Native peoples who lived in this beautiful region (there's a cemetery on the property also)! The courtyard behind the chapel is probably the most spectacular part of the basilica. If you're looking to have a wedding here, I would check if you could have the reception in the courtyard. Being so close to the sea, you can hear the ocean waves crashing at high tide. The water fountain in the center is a perfect setting for family photos, especially with the chapel bells in the background. There are two chapels, so on any given day there could be weddings occurring simultaneously - God willing! If you have children and are looking for a solid school, Junipero Serra school is also on the premises! 'Tis a beautiful place for the catechism I must say.

Requires payment to enter the church? I have never seen this in any Catholic church. Are they really Catholic? This is commercial gobbledygook. It's not about the money, $10 per adult is not a lot, but it's the principle. I do not recommend. Also, my 12 year old needed to use the restroom and they refused him. This goes against everything Jesus taught.

A really cool place, especially if you are into history. Fee is $9.50, but only $5.00 if there is an event at the church. You cannot go inside the church during the event, but have access everywhere else. Worth stopping by, but don't make it a destination unless you have special interest in Basilicas.

This place is beautiful and worth it. The museum and the artifacts are interesting The grounds are beautiful and peaceful and the prayer garden was nice.