Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo - Carmel, California

(Photos/www.carmelmission.org)

Destination: In California, following the trail of Blessed Junipero Serra, leads travelers to the many missions he founded. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo is one of those missions.
Masses are offered in the Basilica Church at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 7:30, 9:15, 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Sunday. Weekday Masses are in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7 a.m., 12  noon and 5:30 p.m.
Why to go: The Carmel mission is special, in part, because among the history and relics in its five museums is the cell in which Father Serra died. The Basilica Church at the mission is also a registered National Historic Landmark. The museums on the grounds include The Harry Downie Museum, which tells the story of the church restoration and Downie’s role in it; the Munras Family Heritage Museum, which displays keepsakes of an important Monterey family; the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery, where the Serra Memorial Cenotaph is housed; the Convento Museum, which is where Father Serra died. In the basilica, there are dislays of Spanish Colonial liturgial art and artifacts.
Amenities: A museum store offers a variety of religious items.
Admission: Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The Mission is closed Easter Sunday and Monday, Thanksgiving, and from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. Cost is $6.50 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children over 7, free  for children under 6.
(Grand) Kid friendly: This is a working parish so children are more than welcome, but should be considerate of students at the parish school.
Info: Address: Carmel Mission Basilica, 3080 Rio Road Carmel, California 93923 Phone: 831/624-1271 Web: www.carmelmission.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org