Tours!

Guided & Self-Guided Tours

Free Guided Tours

Comprised of just over 100 acres, Asilomar is a small but mighty park unit, encompassing a diverse array of natural and cultural resources. Beginning at the waters of the Asilomar State Marine Reserve, the park continues over the sandy beach habitat and north along a mile of rocky shore. Just inland from the beach is Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve -- one of the most successful dune restoration projects in the United States. Follow the boardwalk through the dune habitat and find yourself in one of the world's only native stands of Monterey Pine. Nestled in the forest is Asilomar's Historic Core  -- a National Historic Landmark designed by Julia Morgan for the YWCA beginning in 1913. 

Throughout the year, State Parks staff and volunteers lead tours within the park.

Asilomar Origins Tour: 

The history of Asilomar's buildings begin in 1913 when it became the first permanent YWCA camp in California. 

Year-round, Fridays and Saturdays at 10 AM

 

Asilomar Dunes Walk: 

Explore 25 acres of successfully restored dune habitats and learn about the three endgangered species who call it home.

2025 Schedule: April 4 - August 30, Fridays and Saturdays at 3 PM

 

Monthly Bird Walks, guided by the Audubon Society

Every second Sunday. Reservations required. RSVP by emailing montereyaudubon@gmail.com

 

Current tour schedule details are listed below. 

Sign Up at the State Park desk in the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall. 

Phone: (831) 646-6440
Email: J.Lienau.Thompson@parks.ca.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Tours are subject to weather and guide availability. 

 Asilomar Guided Tour Flyer, Asilomar Origins and Asilomar Dunes Tours.

 

 

A flyer advertising monthly bird tours!

 

Self-Guided Tours

A host of self-guided learning opportunities are available at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. All of these opportunities are available when you want to enjoy them - and at your own pace.  Hard copies of our self-guided tour brochures can be found at the State Park desk in Hearst Social Hall. 
 
Mobile Phone Tour - These Signs Point the Way to Discover
 
Cell Tour SignLearn the story of Asilomar's cultural and natural history on this self-guided mobile phone tour which covers a wide range of 61 topics. Your mobile phone tour is as long or as short as you need it to be - why not catch a little Julia Morgan history (stop 881) or learn how Asilomar got its name (stop 885) in between conference sessions? Mobile phone tour brochures with instructions, access phone number, stop numbers and QR codes, and a map locating  tour stops are located at the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall (Registration Building). The tour is free, but does use mobile phone minutes; each phone stop narrative is about 2-3 minutes in length. Mobile Phone Tour 

 

 Self-Guided Walk Brochures: Available to Download

  • Julia Morgan Architecture -  allow about 45 minutes and plan to walk 1/4 mile for this self-guided tour that highlights the historic buildings by famed architect Julia Morgan.  .
  • Dunes Preserve - A quarter-mile boardwalk loop begins just north of the Grace Dodge Chapel and winds through the Asilomar Dunes Preserve - 25 acres of restored and preserved dunes habitat. This walk provides panoramic vistas of the Asilomar Coast, Asilomar State Beach and the Pebble Beach-Spanish Bay area. Benches situated along the boardwalk allow for leisurely sunset gazing and whale watching throughout the year.

*Click the highligted links above to view brochures. 

Informational Displays

Informational displays can be found in Asilomar's historic buildings: Crocker Dining Hall (in hallway left of food service area), Grace Dodge Chapel Auditorium, Visitor's Lodge, Scripps Lodge, Stuck-up Inn, and Pirates' Den. The information displays tell the history of these Julian Morgan-designed buildings.