Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, Spanish Catholic mission station in Carmel-by-the-Sea, United States.
The station sits on a hillside near the Carmel River and is surrounded by an inner courtyard with arcades and gardens. The stone church features a star-shaped window, a bell tower, and four side chapels connected to the main sanctuary through arched doorways.
The site was moved here in 1771 from the original location in Monterey to find better land and water for agriculture. Until 1803, this place served as the administrative center for all California settlements under the leadership of Junípero Serra.
The name honors Charles Borromeo, a cardinal from Milan known for his reform work across Europe in the 16th century. Visitors today see furniture and everyday objects from the colonial period that show daily life of the missionaries and coastal peoples.
The grounds are open daily between half past nine in the morning and five in the afternoon, with guided tours in several languages throughout the day. Visitors find paths through the courtyards and gardens that are also suitable for wheelchairs.
Inside the chapel lies the tomb of Junípero Serra, who died here in 1784 and whose remains were later buried at this spot. Above his tomb hangs a small metal plaque that visitors often overlook, even though it marks the founder of California settlements.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
