Fri & Sat only) offers
fascinating insights into
bohemian Old Carmel.
Farther east off Rio Rd,
take another leap back
in time. Established in
1769, the arched basilica
and flowering garden
courtyard of Mission
San Carlos de Borroméo
de Carmelo (www.
carmelmission.org; 3080 Rio Rd;
adult/child $6.50/2; h9:30am-
5pm Mon-Sat, 10:30am-5pm
Sun) make you feel as
if you’ve landed in old
Spain. The second-oldest
California mission, this
is where Padre Junípero
Serra lies buried.
54 p175
The Drive » From the
mission, continue southeast
down Rio Rd to the intersection
with Hwy 1. Turn right and drive
about 2 miles south to the turn-
off for Point Lobos State Natural
Reserve on your right.5 Point Lobos State
Natural Reserve
They bark, they bathe
and they’re fun to watch- sea lions are the stars
here at Punta de los
Lobos Marinos (Point of
the Sea Wolves), where
a dramatically rocky
coastline offers excellent
tidepooling. Short walks
around Point Lobos
State Natural Reserve
(www.parks.ca.gov, http://www.
pointlobos.org; per car $10;
h8am-30min after sunset;
c) take in wild scenery
and wildlife watching,
including on Bird Island,
shady Piney Woods, the
historic Whaler’s Cabin
and Devil’s Cauldron,
a whirlpool that gets
splashy at high tide.The Drive » Back at the park
entrance, turn left onto Hwy
1 northbound. Wind 2.5 miles
uphill away from the coast to
the stoplight intersection with
Carmel Valley Rd. Turn right and
drive east through farmlands
and vineyards toward Carmel
Valley village, about 11.5 miles
away.TRIP HIGHLIGHTMission San Carlos de Borroméo de Carmelo