Casa Serrano

Casa Serrano is classic Monterey, in its story and its design. It was the home of Monterey’s second alcade (mayor) under American rule, Don Florencio Serrano, who emigrated from Spain via Mexico City in the 1830s. He found employment in the small village of Monterey as a teacher and clerk in various offices. He and his wife had six children, and in 1843, Don Florencio built them a home on Pacific Street. The house had 20” thick adobe walls, supporting heavy beams which in turn supported ceiling and shingled roof – all of redwood.

Surprisingly spacious inside, Casa Serrano is insulated from street noise by those adobe walls. The interior was painted white in the Mexican manner to reflect light from the small windows. As in most adobes built during the Mexican period, it was oriented to face east-west, to take advantage of morning and afternoon sunshine at the front and back doors. The original kitchen was outside at the back of the house.

Don Florencio Serrano taught in the school he had created until his death in 1877. The Serrano children lived in the house through another generation but eventually the family scattered and the building was put to other uses, including three restaurants. To read the story of Cadamartorie’s and the founding of MHAA, click here.

In 1958, Monterey History & Art Association rescued the building, and restored it as a showpiece for local art and antiques. One of the most important historic structures in Monterey, it is especially significant in that the abode part of the building is intact.

All the rooms display artwork and antique furnishings. To the front are a bedroom and a parlor where Don Florencio Serrano opened his school in 1846. The middle room displays drawings, sculpture and paintings by Jo Mora as well as period furniture.

At the rear of the house is a large and airy reception room, added on by later occupants, adorned with early California paintings and antique furnishings. There is a large, modern, well-equipped kitchen and two bathrooms flanking the door to the larger of the two garden patios.

Casa Serrano is open to the public for docent-led tours, and hosts dozens of meetings, receptions and special events every year. It is one of the most popular stops during Monterey’s Christmas in the Adobes.

Casa Serrano
412 Pacific Street
Monterey, California
Tel. No:  831-372-2608
Open: Call for hours
Latitude: 36.600065
Longitude: -121.895647
GPS Locations by MontereyBiz.com

Casa Serrano is available for special occasions. To learn about facility rental click here.