Carmel Museums

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

There are only a mere handful of museums and similar cultural attractions to be found within Carmel. Particular favorites including the Carmel Mission Museum, and also the Tor House and Hawk Tower, which celebrates the life and successes of acclaimed American poet John Robinson Jeffers.

Close by and a 20-minute drive from central Carmel is the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, which is renowned across the USA for its fine exhibits. Close by, the seasonal Monarch Grove Sanctuary may also be of interest, being home to large numbers of colorful, migrating Monarch butterflies.

Carmel Mission Museum

Address: 3080 Rio Road, Carmel, US-93923, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 1271
The Carmel Mission is often referred to as either the Mission Carmel Basilica or the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, and contains a very important local museum. Highlights include many historical artifacts, which showcase what life was life in bygone years, including reconstructions of rooms, complete with authentic period furnishings.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Tor House and Hawk Tower

Address: 26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel, US-93923, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 624 1813
Owned and managed by the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation, this attraction dates back to 1918, when construction began, using little more that boulders and stones collected from the adjacent rocky coastline. John Robinson Jeffers (1887 to 1962), fell in love with this particular spot and raised a family here, building Hawk Tower as a magical retreat for his sons, single-handedly. Jeffers enjoyed a rather surprising celebrity lifestyle and over the years, guests staying at tour house have included silent-movie icon Charlie Chaplin, American composer George Gershwin, and legendary aviator, Charles Lindbergh.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for students and children

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Address: 165 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, US-93950, Monterey County, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 831 648 5716
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History is just a matter of minutes away from Carmel-by-the-Sea and lies directly to the north. This non-profit attraction offers a wealth of information relating to the Monterey Peninsula, the Monarch Grove Sanctuary, and also the Point Pinos Lighthouse. Many visiting exhibitions ensure that there is always something fresh to see, while visitors can also enjoy a series of permanent displays, such as the California Condor exhibit, which features breathtaking photos of these graceful birds soaring high above the Californian coastline. A gift shop is available and staffed solely by volunteers.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations suggested

Information about the nearby Monterey Museums and Big Sur Museums.