Historical Mission Orchard House - Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel, California

Most of us have driven by this historical property on Rio Road, nestled between the Carmel Mission and Larson Baseball Field, but few have the opportunity to tour the grounds.

It has been open for special events in the past decade such as: the Carmel Heritage Society's Home and Garden Tour 2003, the California Mission alfresco dinner in 2013, marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Father Junipero Serra, and the inaugural Carmel Bach Festival House and Garden Tour in 2014.

There are two main houses on the property, one built of adobe and one of wood. The two structures (adobe left, wood right). 

It is a special place with quite a bit of history. In fact the adobe on this property is considered the oldest private residence in California. Well at least one of the walls of this residence can claim to be almost 250 years old having been erected in 1772.

Pentecost Sunday, June 3, 1770 Blessed Father Junipero Serra said Mass and erected the cross that would establish the second mission in California, Mission San Carlos Borromeo (Carmel Mission). The mission was originally located near the Monterey Presidio beside the Bay of Monterey. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).