Our Mission The mission of State Parks is Asilomar to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping State Beach & to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological The open beach gives diversity, protecting its most valued natural and Conference Grounds cultural resources, and creating opportunities way to a rocky shoreline for high-quality outdoor recreation. that shelters several small sandy coves — perfect for exploring tide pools or

California State Parks supports equal access. watching wildlife. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (831) 646-6440. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

Asilomar State Beach & Conference Grounds 804 Crocker Avenue Pacific Grove, California 93950 (831) 646-6440

© 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) A silomar, meaning “refuge by the sea,” Student Leadership Conferences drew offers park visitors the chance to explore college-age women, while the ten-day the natural beauty of this coastal California summer camps were designed for YWCA Girl state park and to learn of its colorful history. Reserves, ages 14 to 16. Originally the Young Women’s Christian The harsh economic times of the Great Association (YWCA) conference grounds and Depression caused the YWCA National summer camp, Asilomar was designed by Board to consider selling Asilomar. When renowned California architect . no buyer stepped forward, successive From its beginning, Asilomar has served The Grace H. Dodge Chapel operators leased the grounds from 1936 as a haven for those who wish to escape designed by architect Julia Morgan through the early 1940s. Following World the pressures of an increasingly fast-paced War II, public-spirited citizens fought to world. Enhanced by the facility’s natural and ceremonies. Collecting is allowed by preserve this unique natural and cultural beauty, Asilomar offers a peaceful oasis for special permit only. site for future generations. Asilomar became educational and spiritual retreats, where The 1848 California gold discovery part of California’s State Park System on individuals and families may spend quiet, brought thousands of new residents from July 1, 1956. relaxing times, surrounded by nature. countries around the world to settle in Today Asilomar State Beach and the state. Chinese immigrants established Conference Grounds encompass 107 acres, PARK HISTORY fishing villages along the Monterey coast; including the William Penn Mott Jr. Training The Rumsien Ohlone Indians and their Portuguese settlers hunted whales in the vast Center, the hub of State Parks’ employee predecessors lived in the Monterey region Monterey Bay. training. Guest services at the conference for thousands of years prior to European Starting in 1897, the YWCA attended grounds are provided by a leading arrival. The Rumsien were seasonal educational and vocational training at their hospitality industry concession partner. visitors, spending summers at the shore annual summer conference camps. In 1913, and retreating inland for harvest and on 30 acres of donated land, Asilomar was NATURAL RESOURCES winter months. established as the YWCA’s permanent West Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve The Rumsien way of life changed Coast conference grounds. Architect Julia Adjacent to the grounds, 25 acres dramatically in the late 1700s with the arrival Morgan was hired to design and oversee of restored sand dunes provide a of settlers from Spain, who claimed the land the construction of 13 structures that significant ecological boundary for their home country. Spanish missionaries embraced the Arts between the shoreline and the sought to convert native peoples, forcing and Crafts style and matched the coniferous forest. European religion and ways of life upon spirit of the project to the beauty The dunes had been heavily them; many were conscripted as laborers on of the surroundings. compromised due to more than Spanish, and later, Mexican ranches. When Asilomar first opened a century of livestock grazing, Descendants of the early Indian residents its doors, young women came recreational activities, and still come to the Asilomar coast to gather from the western United States uncontrolled public access. shells for regalia for their traditional dances and from other countries. YWCA Julia Morgan, ca. 1926 Photo courtesy of Special Collections and Archives, California Polytechnic State University Restoration began with eradication of the PLEASE REMEMBER non-native ice plant. Dunes were bulldozed • Stay on paved areas, boardwalks, and into a series of parallel ridges, reconstructing trails to conserve natural habitat areas. dune morphology. More than 20 species of • Do not collect or disturb animals or plants native plants were planted in stabilizing on the beach or in the tide pools. mulch. A quarter-mile Dunes Boardwalk was • No campfires are allowed on the beach. built to guide visitors through the dunes • Dogs must be attended and on a six-foot without damaging the fragile ecosystem. The leash at all times. area has been classified as Asilomar Dunes • Park only in designated parking spaces. Deer abound in the forest. Natural Preserve, allowing life in the dunes • The maximum speed limit is 10 mph. habitat to flourish for years to come. Forest management strategies at Asilomar ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Asilomar State Beach emphasize long-term forest ecosystem The Dunes Boardwalk and parts of the The one-mile Asilomar Coast Trail health that includes not just the trees but Coast Trail and trail parking are accessible. provides park visitors easy walking and the animals, the air, the soil, the plants, even A free beach wheelchair and walker may be the opportunity to explore the treasures the microorganisms that together weave a reserved at (831) 372-8016. TTY for guest of Asilomar State Beach. The trailhead lies delicately balanced web of life. use is available at Asilomar’s front desk. north of and adjacent to the flat, sandy Deer, squirrels, and raccoons are frequently Dial 711 for TTY relay. All parking lots have strip of Asilomar State Beach. The trail sighted. Acorn woodpeckers with bright accessible spaces. All lodges are accessible; meanders above rocky coves sculpted from black, red, and white feathers flash about each has an accessible room. Pool has a lift. granodiorite rocks. Visitors often see harbor the forest canopy, while red-shouldered Accessibility is continually improving. For seals resting on rocks at low tide and sea hawks soar from treetop to treetop. Dark- updates, visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. otters swimming and feeding beyond the eyed juncos trill melodious songs from their breaking waves. perches in the forest. ACCOMMODATIONS The coastline at Asilomar State Beach is a RECREATION Asilomar’s concession partner offers a full- State Marine Reserve, part of the Monterey service, year-round facility that includes Park staff provide a variety of cultural and Bay National Marine Sanctuary. As with all meeting rooms, lodging, on-site dining, and natural history walks. Several self-guided of California’s statewide network of marine catering available for special events. walking tours, as well as a mobile phone tour protected areas (MPAs), it is a designated Meeting rooms range from a 650-seat brochure, are available at the California State “no take” zone — no collecting of living, lecture hall to an intimate gathering space Parks desk located inside the Hearst Social geological, or cultural resources is allowed. for 10 individuals. More than 300 guest Hall. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/asilomar for Asilomar’s Pine Forest rooms each have private baths; several current guided-tour times. feature fireplaces or private decks. Asilomar’s native Monterey pine forest is an Visitors can spend their leisure time bird Both conference and leisure guests are ancient, complex ecosystem found only in watching, strolling along the beach, bicycling, welcome. For all group and individual three Central Coast areas — the Monterey swimming in the heated pool, or playing a reservations, see www.visitasilomar.com or Peninsula, Año Nuevo, and Cambria. game of billiards, ping pong, or volleyball. call (888) 635-5310. to San to San Henry W Morgan Jose Coe SP Francisco Asilomar 17 Hill State Beach and Conference Grounds Henry Cowell 101 Redwoods SP Lighthouse Ave to Gilory Monterey Aptos 1 New Brighton SB San Legend Santa Seacliff Juan 156 SB Bautista Jewell Cruz 1 SHP Ave Paved Road Park Building 0 5 10 Mi Sunset SB Ave 0 5 10 15 Km Moss Hollister Trail: Accessible Accessible Feature Landing SB Monterey Trail Asilomar to Parking Bay Marina SB 183 Salinas Monterey Pacific Sunset Dr Sand Dunes Ranger Station Asilomar SB Grove Marina State Marine 68 ASILOMAR Reserve Restrooms Monterey 101 Carmel Historic Building Swimming SR 1 Carmel to Los to Big Sur Valley Angeles © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) STATE Arena Ave Pacific Swimming Trail Pool Road ASILOMAR Grove Long Views EV Charging Trail Station Pico

BEACH Ave Ave

Director's STATE Willow Inn Cottage e v Manzanita Crocker Ave

Coast A

Asilomar Asilomar Ave r

a

m

MARINE o Dunes Scripps l i Spindrift s North/South A

Natural Crocker Dodge Asilomar AND Recreation Trail Chapel Preserve White Caps Visitor North/South Lodge RESERVE Boardwalk Hearst Main Social Hall Entrance Dunes (Registration and Information) Farr Forum Sinex Ave Viewpoint Evergreen Rd Crocker Forest Natural Dining Hall Stuck Up Lodge Ave Inn

S CONFERENCE un Merrill se Hall Engineer's Preserve t D r Cottage Dennett St Woodside Sinex Ave Pirates Mott Den Corporation Training Yard Center Crocker Ave Main Surf Asilomar Ave Dunes and Entrance Acre Sand State Park Boardwalk Office EV Charging Station Deer Lodge 2000 1000 Feet400600 800 GROUNDS ASILOMAR 0 100 200 300 Meters Mott CONFERENCE see Sunset Training Triton Center GROUNDS Nautilus Asilomar Conference Grove 0 100 200 300 400 500 Feet Grounds

68 Dr Ave Asilomar 0 50 100 150 Meters Sunset Dr detail map 68 left 1 to