The city of Monterey, one of California’s earliest settlements and home of the state constitution, is well known as a history buff’s dream. But so is the entire peninsula for that matter. Here are two cultural history sites to check out just down the road in Carmel.
1 Tor House
Robinson Jeffers whose “fingers had the art to make stone love stone,” wrote some of the Pacific coast’s most vibrant and evocative poetry in the brooding Hawk Tower behind his ruggedly beautiful Tor House on Carmel Point. He built the tower by hand with rocks he hauled up from the beach.
Details: Guided tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays; 26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel; www.torhouse.org.
2 Basilica of Mission San Carlos
As is the case with all California missions, the history of Basilica of Mission San Carlos Borromeo — aka the Carmel Mission — is not pretty. But it’s a graceful, beautiful old church housing several museums and is open to the public for mass on Sundays. It’s also where controversial missionary — the recently sainted Father Junipero Serra — spent his last days and is buried.
Details: 3080 Rio Road, Carmel; www.carmelmission.org.
