California's second Catholic mission, the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, was established at the Monterey Presidio in 1770. It is the oldest stone building and the oldest parish in California in continuous operation.
The wood and adobe structure is famous for many of its architectural designs in the Spanish Colonial style, such as the vine-draped cathedral and the Baroque stone church. Also of particular eye-catching interest are the four-bell Moorish tower, the central star-shaped window, and the arched roof, all of which come from Baroque architectural origins. The mission is the only building to have survived from the original presidio (royal fort) and is within walking distance of the main Monterey attractions.