Asilomar State Beach - California

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in the city of Pacific Grove, Asilomar offers beach and coast trail walks, a short boardwalk loop through the natural dune preserve and overnight room lodging and conference facilities. From its historic architecture to the forest, the dunes and coastline, State Park staff takes the lead in protecting and educating park visitors to Asilomar and monitors the delicate balance between preservation and public access.

Asilomar State Beach is a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves. A ¾ mile walking trail is open to pedestrians. The trail is accessible and a beach wheelchair is available upon request. Vehicle parking and a bicycle lane is adjacent to the state beach on Sunset Drive.

Asilomar State Beach is within the boundary of Asilomar Marine Reserve. All marine resources, animals and features are protected. No collecting or fishing is allowed.

Dogs are permitted on the state beach but must be leashed at all times and in the immediate control of the handler.

There are no restrooms or picnicking facilities on the state beach.

Across from Asilomar State Beach is the Asilomar Natural Dune Preserve. One of Asilomar’s landmark stiles stands at the gateway to this preserve. A ¼ mile boardwalk meanders through the 25 acres of restored sand dune ecosystem. Discover the native plant greenhouse where more than 450,000 plants, representing 25 species have been grown and planted in the dunes and coastal bluffs.

The boardwalk also leads park visitors to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Asilomar originated as a woman’s summer camp and conference facility out of the inspired vision of a handful of resourceful, socially-concerned and committed women of the YWCA in 1913. Its historic buildings were designed by California architect Julia Morgan. It has been owned and operated by State Parks since 1956.

Location

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is adjacent to Sunset Drive and Asilomar Avenue in the city of Pacific Grove.

Directions to Asilomar from the North (Santa Cruz)

Take State Highway 1 south towards Monterey. Exit at Highway 68 West to Pacific Grove. Turn left on Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove. Follow Sunset Drive to Asilomar Avenue.

Directions to Asilomar from the East (Salinas/Highway 101

Take Monterey/Highway 68 West from Salinas. Turn south on Highway 1 (approximately 15 miles). From Highway 1 take 68 West to Pacific Grove. Turn left on Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove. Follow Sunset Drive to Asilomar Avenue.