Asilomar State Beach

Copyright: California State Parks Ocean view at Asilomar State Beach

Attractions - Located on the Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, Asilomar (meaning "a refuge by the sea") State Beach and Conference Grounds offer breathtaking views of the cypress, surf and sand. The Center began in 1913 as a camp and conference site for the YWCA. It has been operated by the State of California since 1956. With buildings designed by the California architect Julia Morgan, the Asilomar Conference Center is a complex of meeting halls, dining facilities, and guest rooms situated on 105 secluded acres of scenic forest and sand dunes. A boardwalk across the dunes gives access to the beach and tide pool area. It is minutes from popular tourist destinations in Carmel and Monterey -- 17 Mile Drive and surrounded by neighboring Carmel, Cannery Row, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf. Served by Monterey Peninsula Airport.

Recreation - Recreational facilities include a heated pool and social hall with ping pong, a grand piano and billiards.

Climate - Climate in the Central Coast varies greatly with elevation and the amount of coastal influence. Areas with more coastal influence experience moderate temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August. Plan your coastal visit in the late summer or fall to ensure the best conditions for viewing the scenery. Also, occasional clear days between winter and spring storms are incomparable. Areas further inland experience greater temperature extremes, with relatively cooler winters and hot summers. Inland areas often receive frost on winter nights. As throughout most of California most of the precipitation comes in the winter months, with April through October normally very dry.

Location - The site is on Asilomar Avenue in Pacific Grove.

From the North (Santa Cruz) -- Take State Highway 1 south through Monterey. Exit at Highway 68, and go West toward Pacific Grove to Sinex Avenue. (Highway 68 is called Forest Avenue) Turn left on Sinex and continue to the Asilomar entrance. There are signs to direct you.

From the East (Salinas/ Highway 101) Take Highway 68 West from Salinas, turn south on Highway 1, continue to the westbound exit, and proceed as above.