Carmel Landmarks and Monuments

(Carmel - Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County, California - CA, USA)

A historical town with a number of grand landmarks and old monuments to match its character, Carmel is filled with interesting architecture. Such landmarks include the Comstock cottages and their 'wavy' roofs, the Carmel City Hall, and the Harrison Memorial Library, which is packed with local memorabilia of huge importance.

Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the Carmel Mission dates back almost 250 years, being built in 1770 in the Presidio area of the town center and moved to its present site soon after. First Murphy House is also of great historical significance in Carmel and dates back just over 100 years ago, to the turn of the 20th century, when local up-and-coming architecture Michael J. Murphy built this charming cottage, aged just 17 years old.

Clint Eastwood Mission Ranch

Address: 26270 Dolores Street, Carmel, US-93923, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 657 0494
The Mission Ranch is one of the most famous of all the landmarks in Carmel-by-the-Sea and was originally built in the 1880s, when it operated as a dairy farm for many years, before becoming a popular local restaurant. In the mid-1980s, the Mission Ranch suffered a very real threat of being knocked down and converted into condos. At this time, none-other than Clint Eastwood stepped in and purchased the estate, beginning a major restoration of all the buildings, together with the addition of a new dining room overlooking the meadows, wetlands, Carmel River Beach and also Point Lobos. Now much more than just a restaurant, this historic farmhouse also features a thriving local bar, banquet facilities, live jazz music and pianists, tennis courts a health club and ample accommodation.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

First Murphy House

Address: Lincoln Lane / 6th Avenue, Carmel, US-93921, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 4447
This was the first house that Michael J. Murphy had ever built, hence the name. Murphy soon became a very familiar face in the town of Carmel and over the years, greatly influenced the appearance of Carmel today, building a series of cottages, which have become important landmarks in the town. The First Murphy House was in danger of being demolished in 1990, and so a committee was set up to restore and preserve the cottage for future generations, being now own and maintained by the Carmel Heritage Society, who meet up here on Saturday mornings and provide guided walking tours, lasting around one and a half hours.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

City Hall

Address: Monte Verde Street / 7th Avenue, Carmel, US-93923, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel+ 1 831 620 2000
Camel City Hall lies along Monte Verde Street and is close to Ocean Avenue. Originally built as a church in the early 1920s, the City Hall features classical architecture and has regularly hosted meetings of the local council and government since 1950. The City Hall has an interesting past and was especially busy when Hollywood movie-star / director Clint Eastwood, served for one term as the town mayor, between 1986 and 1988.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Harrison Memorial Library

Address: Lincoln Street / Ocean Avenue, Carmel, US-93921, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 4629
The Harrison Memorial Library has long been an important local landmark in Carmel, since it first opened its doors to the public in 1927. Today, the library houses in excess of 80,000 different books and volumes, and is often referred to as the Henry Meade Williams Local History Library, since is serves as the archive and history museum for the town itself. Literally thousands of past photographs, paintings, manuscripts, maps, artifacts, art works and pieces of local interest complete this extensive collection. There are even some very early posters advertising past performances at the Forest Theater from literally years ago.
Open hours: Monday - 13:00 to 17:00, Tuesday and Wednesday - 11:00 to 20:00, Thursday and Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Carmel Mission (Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo)

Address: 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, US-93923, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 1271
The Carmel Mission was established by Father Junipero Serra, who was also responsible for founding more than 20 other missions along California's coastline, and is actually buried on this very site, next to the main altar. During the 19th century, the mission fell into a state of disrepair and this historical landmark has since been completely restored to its former glory. The architecture of this structure is distinctly Moorish in its character and this is particularly apparent with the tall bell tower, which is home to a total of nine bells. Although the stairs to the top of the mission's tower may be steep, the views are simply magnificent and well worthy any aching legs.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge