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All 96 Carmel Attractions »

Tor House

26304 Ocean View Avenue, Carmel, CA 93923
831 624 1813
Ranked #12 of 35 attractions in Carmel
4.5 of 5 stars 14 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites, Architectural Buildings
Activities: Group tours/day tour
Description: The historic home of the poet Robinson Jeffers is open to the public for group tours.
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14 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    6
    1
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Date Rating
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 27, 2012

We've visited Tor House many times, and drive by each trip to Carmel if we don't intend to visit it. The poetry of Robinson Jeffers, and the story of their family, is integral to the story of Carmel, in our opinion. Don't miss Tor !!! More

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See 8 more reviews by 2TravelersEncinitas for Carmel
Carmel, California
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 23, 2012

Built of stone by 20th century poet Robinson Jeffers, it overlooks carmel Bay and out to Point Lobos. Entrance just a block off a beautiful walk on Scenic Drive in Carmel above the beach and shoreline. More

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SF Bay Area
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 19, 2012

You must reserve 1 week in advance for tours (run by volunteers as a labor of love). This is a delightful and informative view into Carmel's early artistic history. Those who appreciate architecture will find Jeffers' buildings fascinating, and the stories will interest everyone but small children. A little hard to find, as modern development crowds right up to the... More

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San Francisco, California
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 21, 2012

The tour has something for almost everyone, but it's not for really tall or large people. Tours are restricted to 6 people, which makes for a personalized experience. The house and property are a good window into the Carmel of the 1920's, 30's and 40's. Though it's the house of a poet, it's more of an architectural tour rather than... More

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See 13 more reviews by Jank360 for Carmel
Carmel, California
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 21, 2012

Docent-led tours of Jeffers home, gardens and especially Hawk Tower provide poetic, historical, and architectural views of this historic property. A great learning experience about one of America's greatest poets. Tours are about 1.5 hours long. Open Friday and Saturday, with tours starting at 10AM with the last tour starting at 3PM. Well worth the time, especially if you are... More

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Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Top Contributor
67 reviews 67 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 30, 2012

Former home of the poet, Robinson Jeffers, located off of Scenic Drive in the Carmel Point area, Tor House gives an insight in to early Carmel life. The small garden is exquisite in Spring and Summer. The view is terrific. More

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See 15 more reviews by cdafloathouse for Carmel
carmel, California
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 28, 2011

Robinson Jeffers Tor house--- is a local landmark. The local stone structure with its writing tower/ studio is facinating to see. Mr. Jeffers was a local poet. More

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See 8 more reviews by nicholas b for Carmel
Oakland, California
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 20, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

Went to see this house on a lark. Hubby and I are not poets, and were not familiar with anything about this house. But it was within walking distance, and it was a sunny day. Boy were we happily surprised! The tour was really low key, with a knowledgeable docent. We saw most of the house, got some great inside... More

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Florida
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed October 19, 2011

I had never heard of this American poet but the house was interesting. Built from granite boulders picked up on the beach & surrounding area it is a charming cottage. Only the main house is open to the public. The tower is fun. Would recommend a visit. More

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See 3 more reviews by betnel88 for Carmel
Harwinton, Connecticut
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed August 6, 2011
3
people found this review helpful

Even if you're not an avid poetry reader, even if Robinson Jeffers is a name you only dimly remember from the anthology you used in a high school English class, there's a good chance you'll enjoy a visit to Tor House, the stone cottage Jeffers inhabited with his wife and their two sons. Jeffers found the spot--a hillside over a... More

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