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| Landmark #352 | Monterey County | Visited: January 17, 2015 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | The refurbished French Hotel, where Robert Louis Stevenson stayed for a few months! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: In this house in 1879 lived Robert Louis Stevenson, essayist, storyteller, and poet whose contribution to literature delighted the world.
OTHER TIDBITS: This may be called the Stevenson House, but the famous author only stayed here a few months to recover from tuberculosis and court his future wife, Fanny! He wrote The Old Pacific Capital here and drew inspiration for Treasure Island! However, there’s still more history to this hotel! This was originally a small adobe built by Rafael González in the 1830s. Known by his friends as “Pintito,” Señor González was the customs administrator of Monterey and did business with American traders in the years before takeover! It changed hands many times until a Swiss fellow named Giardin bought it and turned it into a hotel, which he called the French Hotel! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 530 Houston St Monterey, CA 93940 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~319mi (514km) — 5.4hrs |
| When should I go? | The gardens are open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and the building is open for tours from April to October during that time! In winter months, private tours are available but expensive! |
