Planning your Visit

The Carmel Mission is an active parish.
Kindly be advised, that access to the Basilica may be limited due to weddings, services, or special events.

We welcome your visit to the Carmel Mission. Whether you are visiting by yourself, with others, or with a group.

Carmel Mission is an active parish. Kindly be advised, that access to the Basilica may be limited due to weddings, services, or special events.  You may call our Museum Store at (831) 624-1271 x210 to check on the activities at the Mission on the day you plan to visit. We ask Visitors to consider and be respectful of the prayerful environment.


MUSEUM, STORE & GROUNDS
Hours of Operation
Monday & Tuesday, CLOSED
Wednesday & Thursday, 10:00 – 4:00 pm
Friday & Saturday, 10:00 – 5:00 pm
Sunday,11:30 – 5:00 pm
Mission Grounds close 15 minutes prior to store close.

Admission Rates
Adults: $13
Seniors (62+): $10
Youths (7-17): $7
Child (6 and under): FREE

VISITOR’S RESOURCES

Please click here to view our  Map and Guide, Brief History and Visitation Policies.


PHOTOGRAPHY RATES
Please read our Visit Guidelines for our policy on photography.


GENERAL VISIT
Our general admissions includes a self-guided tour through our Basilica, museums, and grounds.

Admissions can be purchased at our Visitor’s Kiosk in front of our Mission Store. Any groups larger than 10 people please refer to the section below.


GROUP VISIT
If you are with a group of 10 or more and are interested in booking a reservation to visit, kindly email us the following information, which we require when confirming your trip. We typically do not collect payment in advance of a visit, though we do encourage groups of 10 or more to confirm the visit so we may place it on our calendar.

Here is what you need

    • Group Name
    • Group Size: Number of people and ages of group members
    • Preferred date and time for your visit.
      Be advised: depending on the activities for that date, our staff may recommend a different day and time for your visit.
    • Contact information for your group leader
    • Type and number of vehicles

       

      SCHOOL GROUP VISITS

      School Resource Page Under Development – Kindly provide information requested above.


      GUIDED TOURS

      Tours are available to groups of 10 or more from Wednesday through Friday and require an email confirmation.  No tours are scheduled on weekends.

      Docent volunteers are typically in the Basilica Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 2pm to assist visitors with information and provide historic perspectives of Carmel Mission.

      We require 2 weeks advance notice and a written confirmation for guided tours.


      SELF GUIDED TOURS

      A majority of our visitors take a self-guided tour of Carmel Mission.

      Please reference our Brief History of Carmel Mission and Carmel Mission Map Guide documents to assist you with planning your trip and for a self-guided tour while at Carmel Mission.


      PILGRIMAGE VISITS

      If you are looking to set up a Pilgrimage Visit and are seeking permission to hold a private Mass at the Mission, Diocesan authorization is required. Please contact Pilgrimage@carmelmission.org


      VISITOR RESOURCES



      Brief History of the Carmel Mission:

      Arriving by ship in Monterey on June 3, 1770, Padre Junípero Serra founded the Mission of San Carlos Borromeo in 1771. Padre Serra decided to leave Monterey and establish the mission in Carmel, mainly due to its natural resources.

      In 1985, Pope John Paul II declared Junípero Serra venerable, and in 1988 he was beatified in recognition of his heroic virtues. In September 1987, The Pope visited the Carmel Mission as part of his tour of the United States. Pope Francis canonized Saint Junípero Serra on September 23, 2015 at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C. Today, the Mission’s and its historic church is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the United States for visitors from all over the world.



      Contact Us

      Museum Store : store@carmelmission.org 831.624.1271 – ext 210

      Parish Office : reception@carmelmission.org 831.624.1271 – ext 200