Asilomar State Beach, in Pacific Grove, is blessed with blinding white sands, sand dunes covered in pretty grasses, and trails amongst the dunes. Tucked away here is Asilomar Conference Center, where any retreat will be filled with ambience. Stone buildings lit with golden lights, a stone fire pit, huge wooden patio, bridges amongst towering beach pines, wooden boardwalks curving through the dunes, benches to sit and take it all in, a squared archway to the beach, mystical fog covering it all- this is what creates the wondrous atmosphere at Asilomar Conference Center. As I explored the area, I envied the women who were on a retreat, chatting and taking long walks on the frosty beach. Children and little birds ran away from the waves, while couples walked hand in hand in the strange muted light.

Sunset Drive (Highway 68) winds around this coastline of soft sands and shiny rocks. Take a drive and check it out for yourself!
Thirteen of the buildings at Asilomar Conference Center were designed by Julia Morgan, the architect for Hearst Castle.

Directions

Asilomar Conference Center is located at 800 Asilomar Ave, Pacific Grove CA 93950, call (831) 372-8016.
To reach the conference center, take Highway 68 west to Pacific Grove. Highway 68 becomes a regular road going through town at some point. Turn right on Asilomar Ave, then take the 2nd left, into the conference center grounds. Turn right and there will be some free parking spaces. To explore just the beach, continue along Highway 68/ Sunset Drive and park along the road beside the beach and dunes.

Click on map for interactive view