Mission Ranch in Carmel, California
Picture yourself seated on a terrace, drinking in the sweet ocean air, with stunning views of Point Lobos, Carmel River Beach, and the Santa Lucia mountains. Sheep graze peacefully in a sweeping pasture before you. A multitude of lovely shrubs and flowers surround every building, including hydrangeas, bougainvillea, hollyhocks, and angel’s trumpets. Live oaks, eucalyptus, and centuries-old cypress trees tower gracefully over them. You are sure to be delighted no matter where your gaze wanders. This is Mission Ranch.
Mission Ranch is located in Carmel, California, just around the corner from the beautiful Carmel Mission Basilica. It began in the 1850s as a farm owned by John and Elizabeth Martin and their seven children. The Martins had a dairy farm and provided Monterey County with fresh cheese and butter. Their former creamery is now the site of the Mission Ranch restaurant.
Mission Ranch is located on 22 acres owned by actor Clint Eastwood. In 1950, Clint Eastwood was 21 years old and had just been drafted. Off-duty from Fort Ord, he discovered Carmel and Mission Ranch. He loved the area and made it his second home. When developers threatened to desecrate the area and turn it into condos, he stepped up and saved the historic ranch.
This historic ranch consists of 31 rooms located in 10 original buildings on the property, including a bunkhouse, the original farmhouse, and a honeymoon cottage. Mission Ranch is a great site for weddings, family vacations, and romantic getaways. While we were at the restaurant for dinner, there was a wedding taking place. How peaceful and serene it appeared, next to the pasture full of grazing sheep!
The charming restaurant is famous not only for its lovely views but also its amazing piano bar. The piano bar is a great place to strike up friendships. We recently met a lovely couple from Cote d’Azur and had a great visit with them, even though they spoke little English and we, little French!
Mission Ranch is open every day except Christmas day. They have “early grazing” outdoors from 3-5 pm, but dinner service does not officially start until 5 pm. On the weekends, they offer a brunch from 10 am – 2 pm. During the week, you can get breakfast from 7 am-10:30 am. They do not accept reservations. I would recommend getting there early if you want to get a good table. When you arrive, you can choose to be seated inside or outside on the terrace.
We arrived at 4:30 pm and sat at the piano bar until we were seated around 5:15 pm. Fortunately, we were seated in the east section of the restaurant at a window table overlooking the pasture and sheep with a fireplace next to us. This is much quieter than the adjacent dining room near the bar and I would highly recommend it. There is a plethora of yummy food on the menu including appetizers, soups & salads and fabulous dinner entrees. I chose the slow roasted prime rib and it was too delicious!
- Pets are not allowed in the restaurant except for service animals.
- Bring a jacket or sweater for dining on the outdoor terrace as it can get chilly, even with the outdoor heaters.
- Piano music is played nightly from 5-9 pm.
Location: 26270 Delores St., Carmel, California
Phone: 831-624-3824
Website: Mission Ranch.
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One Comment
Jay Slupesky
It sounds like you had a great meal. Happy times!