Asilomar SB

State Beach

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in the city of Pacific Grove, Asilomar (meaning "a refuge by the sea") State Beach and Conference Grounds offers overnight lodging and views of the forest, surf and sand.

Asilomar State Beach is a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves.  A 3/4-mile coast-walking trail is open to pedestrians.  Bicycle riding is allowed on the paved road bike lane in close proximity to the trail.  There are no restrooms or picnicking facilities at the state beach.  Parking is available on Sunset Drive, the city street that runs parallel to the state beach.  The coastal resources are protected.  Asilomar State Beach is part of the Pacific Grove Fish Garden Refuge and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. 

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

A boardwalk across the sand dunes gives access to the Asilomar Conference Grounds.

The Asilomar Conference Grounds began in 1913 as a camp and conference site for the YWCA.  Its historic buildings were designed by the California architect Julia Morgan.  It has been owned and operated by the State of California since 1956.  The grounds are available to park visitors for conferences and/or overnight stay.  There are no campground sites at Asilomar.  The California State Parks training facility -- William Penn Mott, Jr. Training Center -- is located on the conference grounds. 

The Asilomar Conference Grounds is managed by a hospitality concessionaire that oversees a complex of meeting and conference rooms ranging from the 650-seat Merrill Hall to intimate meeting accommodations for smaller groups.

Park visitors are treated to the conference grounds' exceptional dining services.  Three meals a day chef's choice, full course, fixed menu.  Special dietary needs can be met with advance notice.  In addition, private dining, full catering, buffets, parties and special events are available upon request. 

Designed to be free from everyday interruptions; there are no telephones or televisions in the 314 guest rooms.

Location
Asilomar State Beach is adjacent to Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove.
Asilomar Conference Grounds is at 800 Asilomar Avenue in Pacific Grove.

Directions to Asilomar State Beach: 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 State Beach.

Directions to Asilomar State Beach: From the East (Salinas/Highway 101)
Take Highway 68 West from Salinas.  Turn south on Highway 1 (aproximately 15 miles).  From Highway 1 take 68 West into Pacific Grove and proceed as above.

Directions to the Asilomar Conference Grounds: From the North (Santa Cruz)
Take State Highway 1 south towards Monterey.  Exit at Highway 68 West to Pacific Grove.  Follow to Sinex Avenue (approximately 2.4 miles).  Turn left on Sinex Avenue and continue to the Asilomar Conference Grounds entrance (corner of Sinex and Asilomar Avenues approximately 0.8 miles).

Directions to the Asilomar Conference Grounds: From the East (Salinas/Highway 101)
Take Highway 68 West from Salinas.  Turn south on Highway 1 (approximately 15 miles).  From Highway 1 take Highway 68 West into Pacific Grove and proceed as above.

William Penn Mott, Jr. Training Center
Offers a variety of training programs to both California State Parks' employees and those from other agencies. Located on the scenic Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, the Training Center consists of modern classrooms, audio-visual rooms, a conference room, a library, and offices. Surrounded by the picturesque Monterey pine forest next to Asilomar State Beach, the facilities provide an ideal learning environment. Three lodges, each with living room and fireplace, accommodate 60 persons on a shared-room basis.