Asilomar State Beach

Located at the tip of Monterey Peninsula, Asilomar State Beach is an one mile strip of sandy dunes with a wooden trail runs through it. The trail is wheelchair accessible, and bicycling friendly. But the beach does not have a rest room facility. It is only available at Asilomar Conference Grounds. Free parkings are available at the shoulder of the Sunset Drive, be sure to park on the beach side of the road.

The view is fantastic on this beach, sunrise and sunset looks particularly beautiful. It is a good place for personal reflection amid quiet solitude. I guess that is why the beach name means "a refuge by the sea".

Rip tides and unpredictable surfs are quite common here. That is the reason there are safety fences along the one mile trail. You can cross it to go on the beach, but at your own risk.

If you have time, do pay a visit to the Asilomar Conference Grounds, The house was built in 1913 as a conference center and summer camp for the YWCA. The ground was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It is well maintained and still looks great after 100 years.

The beach is very close the the famous 17 mile. Actually there is a 5 mile hiking trail which takes you all the way to the Pebble Beach Golf Links and the Lone Cypress. The trail starts at the south end of the beach. For some people, hiking is a better way to explore the 17 miles than driving through it.