San Carlos Cathedral
San Carlos Cathedral
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles95 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
31
Average
5
Poor
2
Terrible
0

WillieMacfan
Healdsburg, CA792 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Solo
San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey is possibly the oldest stone building in California. Still serves as the basilica for the Monterey Diocese of the Catholic Church. Attended Mass.

Its a long narrow building. No overwhelming artifacts. Pews on each side of the aisle hold three to four people in tight somewhat uncomfortable spaces. Kneelers are not padded well and leg room is extremely limited. But you are not there for comfort.

The reason to visit is either historical and/or religious. The Cathedral meets both of those objectives
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Barry and Nicol... G
Reading, UK1,075 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
San Carlos Cathedral is the oldest stone building in California. Park up for free on the street outside and go in and sit quietly. You will feel the peace and it will surround you.
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dionges1
Los Angeles, CA3,026 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This is still an operating church complex and open during the day. A very nice and well maintained example of mission churches of early California, although not one of the 21 California Missions. Beautiful and calming interior. A restful stop when walking around Monterey.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel the World
San Francisco, CA1,136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
This is the oldest church in California and well worth a visit. We found it on a top 10 things to do in Monterey and were not disappointed. It has been beautifully restored with a surprise peak into its past history. Both the inside and outside are breathtaking, it will make you feel you have stepped back in history.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy W
Phoenix, AZ141 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
This church is 250 years old. Its doors are open for all to enter. You could feel the spirit. Do Not be Afraid; Just Have Faith. Mark 5:36. This verse was in their Sunday bulletin. And as I stood in the church I felt calm. There was nothing fancy keeping to its meager beginning. It is definitely worth checking out
Written June 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

無名
World8,170 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Solo
... was inside when I came around. He seemed pissed that I came in through an open door when they were closed. I did so saying hello out loud. So he didn't let me see the place. It's beautiful on the outside though, and I snapped some pictures. It's near a school, and the kids outside were having fun doing sports. This place get an above average rating for having real happy life around it. I ain't going to let that sad old man inside ruin my visit.
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel the World
San Francisco, CA1,136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
If you are into California history or just enjoy historic buildings this beautiful Cathedral will not disappoint. It is the oldest continuously running church in California. The building was completed in 1794 under Father Junipero Serra. The amazing mass structure with it's well designed wooden doors are impressive. We were not able to see inside the building due to COVID. Unfortunately, our limited scheduled did not allow us to come back to attend their daily mass at 7:45 a.m.
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Janjust16
Budapest, Hungary904 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Family
Quaint little cathedral. Very well maintained.
Just beautiful. Simplicity & serenity- 💒.
Beautiful succulents.
Written October 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wireless_in_CA
United States4,994 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
We spent the day in Monterey and drove to the cathedral as our last stop before driving home. There were lots of street parking or it could be an easy walk from downtown.

Unfortunately the cathedral itself was closed due to the COVID-19 state requirements but we were able to wander around the church grounds and campus.

This was the oldest and smallest operating cathedral in the US. The exterior grounds were nicely maintained and included a small grotto, water fountain, school and rectory buildings, Heritage Center and more. I would have like to visit the Heritage Center to learn more about the church history and see artifacts. At least they posted a historical summary on the Our Lady of Guadalupe statue which was mounted at the top of the church. It was the oldest sculpted statue in California and was included in the latest restoration efforts.

Will come back to visit the inside when things return to normal. Per the website all tours are free just a small donation requested.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert D
Omaha, NE56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
Narrow cathedral but packed full of live. Irish priest and multiple families added to the sounds of this active community church. Moderately plain for a cathedral but the subdued view was offset by the reverberations of the music.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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San Carlos Cathedral, Monterey

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