Tor House Foundation Review

Enjoyed an informative tour given by a great docent, Dan. He shared lots of interesting and historical facts about Jeffers' life, family and home peppered with some poetry reading!

The house, the tower, and the view to the beach is absolutely beautiful

The story behind this house and Robinson Jeffers' marriage is fascinating. Both are stunning achievements.

This place feels like coming home to me. The docent tour was interesting and informative and the house and location are incredible.

Fascinating house/history of poet Robison Jeffers. Docent tours are lively and interesting. Best to make reservations since only open Fridays and Saturdays with groups of six maximum. No children under 12 years old.

We were driving around and found this beautiful scenery.

An amazing guided tour. We learned more about the poet and his family. It is definitely worth visiting and seeing this great architecture.

After taking 17 mile drive and seeing the coast and ethereal fog that clings to that part of the bay you really get a better insight into why Jeffers wrote the way he did. The grounds are beautiful, the staff was very nice and it's simply wonderful place to visit. Parking was very easy too!

This is a must-see place for any fans of American letters, homesteading, architecture, history, and California landscapes.

Wow! what history is here. They were not open when we went but by walking around, we were able to see so much. there is a lot of information online so, if you cant make it during open hours, check there

I went here last year with some friends and had such a good time! The tour guide was so passionate and educated and shared poetry with us about every bit of the house. It was beautiful!

This place is so cute and interesting and the docents are filled with knowledge and excitement.

This was a lovely tour and was satisfied about getting to know about an interesting couple.

The Tor House Tour was truly amazing and informative. The artistry, architecture, setting plus a glimpse into the poetic nature (both bark and light) of the Jeffers' was wonderful.

Interesting place visit if your a poetry person or some history...not my cup of tea

Sarah Rubin was our Docent, and she went above and beyond--she was friendly, outgoing, engaging, knowledgeable and gave everyone in our group a rich experience of Roberson and Una Jeffers' home. Her appreciation of Jeffers' poetry, as well as the history of the house and the town of Carmel-by the-Sea was obvious and appreicated. My boyfriend ended up proposing on the top of Hawk Tower, so i don't think the experience could have been any more perfect.

The guy on the front office was extremely rude.We were running a little late and called ahead to make sure they can accommodate us..but when we got to the front ,the guy simply said no and left..don t expect professionalism from this place ..never coming back

We had a great tour guide. He was very passionate about Jeffers and his poetry. He recited different poems to us as they pertained to different areas of Jeffers life, home, or relationship with the environment. We didn't really know anything about Jeffers going into the tour, we just thought that the house, tower, and grounds looked really neat. But our guide helped us understand the importance of Jeffers work and that made the grounds themselves even more fascinating. We did have two English teachers and a librarian in our group so we were predisposed to enjoy learning about a poet, but still I would say that anyone who enjoys Monterey and learning about its history would like this tour experience.

Stunning and beautifully preserved home of famed poet Robinson Jeffers. It's open for tours on most weekends. No photos inside.

Robinson Jeffers and his wife Una bought land at Carmel Point in the spring of 1919, and in mid-May they hired Mike Murphy, a developer established in Carmel, to build a stone house at Carmel Point. Murphy's mason started working at home immediately, and with Jeffers signing later as an apprentice, he was able to complete the project in mid-August. Originally, the house had a bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, a bathroom and an attic.

Shortly after the cabin was complete, Jeffers himself would begin to build a separate garage and a low wall that enclosed a patio. He completed these in 1920, and then began working on a tower that would take four years to complete. After ceasing his stone work for a year or two, he then began working in a dining room that would be completed in 1930. In 1937, Jeffers began working in an east wing that he intended to serve as a home for his boys, who They were both in their 20s by then. He was not able to finish this last project due to the decline in health, but his son Donnan managed to complete it.

The style of the stone on the property varies widely, from the rectangular stone, cut from the original cottage, to the rock-that-fits the stone of the garage and extensions of the house, to the wildly pocked and twisted character of Hawk Tower , To the minimalist work done by Donnan Jeffers in the East Wing. Stone works from 1924 tend to include an abundance of fragments from around the world, including stones, tiles, and various sizes. A good number of quotes are also engraved in the stone and carpentry of the house.

The house was illuminated by oil lamps until 1949, when Una, dying of cancer, allowed the house to be connected to electricity.

Thank you for keeping this place alive with all the other, in kind words "homes" around it. Wonderful place and I will return. Thank you!

Do take the docent tour of the Tor House, a hidden gem of historic value in Carmel, CA. Afterwards, go to the back and take a stroll on scenic drive and soak in a beautiful sunset !

Stunning stone house on Carmel beach that was home to the famous poet. Docent-led tours give you the complete picture. Small shop sells related books and items.

Great experience! A must-see for tourists wanting a feel for the history of Big Sir through the intimacy of a local poets' life, house, and philosophy. You need to book tour, only available Fri and Sat.

Awesome place. Interesting piece of early 20th Century history.
Artist, eccentric, poet. He and his were characters.

Must see for the lovers and students of poetry and literature.