If you're planning a western road trip to California's beautiful Monterey Peninsula, you'll want to add a visit to Asilomar to your vacation planner. Located in Pacific Grove California, Asilomar is referred to as Monterey Peninsula's "Refuge By The Sea".
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is a uniquely beautiful 107 acres of Refuge by the Sea" comprised of ecologically diverse beachfront land that had it's beginnings in the very early 1900's when the YWCA was searching for a western based conference center.
Today, Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds provides
park visitors opportunities for beach and coast trail walks, a
short boardwalk loop through the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve as well
as a variety of overnight room lodging and conference meeting room
facilities. Asilomar might be the largest institutional complex ever built in the Art and Crafts style
Asilomar's Rich History
The Asilomar Conference Grounds was established for the Young Women's Christian Association. In 1912 Phoebe Apperson Hearst donated thirty acres of coastline at Pacific Grove California for the site of a YWCA summer conference center. She also recommended Julia Morgan as the architect. The Administration Building was opened in 1913 and dedicated as the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall.
The name Asilomar was chosen through a contest among YWCA members. The name Asilomar is the combination of two Spanish words meaning a "refuge by the sea."
Architect Julia Morgan and the Buildings of Asilomar
Julia Morgan was born in San Francisco in 1872 and graduated with an engineering degree from UC Berkeley in 1894. Morgan then attended the L'Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris France receiving her certification at 29 years of age. She was also the first woman to receive such a certification from the Paris institution.
Returning to San Francisco, Julia Morgan worked as a draftsman prior to opening her own architectural company in 1904. Julia Morgan's career in architecture spanned forty-nine years.
To highlight the YWCA's character and interests, Julia Morgan utilized the Arts and Crafts style that was quite popular in California at the time. Industrialization was well under way and the Arts and Crafts movement was intended to help bring people back in touch with nature. The site chosen for the Asilomar project along the Pacific coast helped immensely in this pursuit.
When you visit Asilomar you'll see just how Julia Morgan's buildings complement this natural landscape. Building construction materials were comprised of redwood, stone and concrete.
Asilomar Opens in 1913
Asilomar first opened in July 1913. Upon opening, Asilomar was comprised of the front entrance stone pillars, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, a circus tent used for the dining hall and ten tent houses. Construction of permanent structures continued as donations were received by the YWCA. A total of sixteen structures were completed by Julia Morgan with her last structure, the Merrill Hall, was finished in 1928.
The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall
This first completed permanent building at the Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, gives you a sense of space and grandeur. The building is now the Asilomar Conference Grounds reception area, lobby and gift shop.
Visit Asilomar Today
Asilomar is located within the scenic town of Pacific Grove, California and offers guests the simple comforts of cozy cottages and rustic lodges. It's a relaxing and unforgettable escape from everyday life.
The site is officially named "Asilomar State Beach and Conference
Grounds". The property is owned by California State Parks.
This natural beauty facility is used for a number of purposes. It is primarily a conference center for hire but is also open to individual lodging guests. It's also the ideal location for family reunions and other social events. For more information regarding lodging and guest services see the website www.visitasilomar.com The setting and location of Asilomar is unsurpassed. The views from the beach are breathtaking and the resort has old world charm.
The address of the Asilomar Conference Grounds is 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove.
You may also enjoy the Western Trips articles of Monterey Peninsula area attractions on the links below...
Monterey California From the Spaniards to the Sardine Industry
Big Sur and the Historic Hwy 1 Bridges
California Whale Watching
The Amazing San Diego Zoo / Don't Miss It
The Pacific Grove Monarch Butterflies
Visit Asilomar during the fall and winter months and you'll have a very unique treat right at your doorstep. During their over wintering season from mid-October through mid-February, clusters of monarch butterflies can be viewed at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary at 1073 Lighthouse Avenue. With the entrance located just off Lighthouse Avenue, the city park is open from sunrise to sundown and is free for all visitors.
Every autumn, thousands of beautiful monarchs flock to the
delicately-balanced microclimate of the habitat at the Monarch Grove
Sanctuary. They cluster on the trees in thick bunches, looking like
triangular dead brown leaves until, warmed by the morning sun, they
spread their wings and drift among the branches.
The microclimate of the Monarch Grove Sanctuary is composed of Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees in a closed canopy, natural buffering windbreaks, a temperature that remains moderate all winter, close proximity to nectar sources and morning fog for moisture. An ideal climate for the Monarch. All of this is in the vicinity of the beautiful Asilomar Conference Grounds.
Add a stop to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History any time during the year and you can learn much more about the Monarch butterfly. The museum is located at 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove.
(Article and photos copyright 2014 Western Trips)
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is a uniquely beautiful 107 acres of Refuge by the Sea" comprised of ecologically diverse beachfront land that had it's beginnings in the very early 1900's when the YWCA was searching for a western based conference center.
 |
| Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall. |
Asilomar's Rich History
The Asilomar Conference Grounds was established for the Young Women's Christian Association. In 1912 Phoebe Apperson Hearst donated thirty acres of coastline at Pacific Grove California for the site of a YWCA summer conference center. She also recommended Julia Morgan as the architect. The Administration Building was opened in 1913 and dedicated as the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall.
The name Asilomar was chosen through a contest among YWCA members. The name Asilomar is the combination of two Spanish words meaning a "refuge by the sea."
 |
| Another view of the Apperson Hall stonework |
Julia Morgan was born in San Francisco in 1872 and graduated with an engineering degree from UC Berkeley in 1894. Morgan then attended the L'Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris France receiving her certification at 29 years of age. She was also the first woman to receive such a certification from the Paris institution.
Returning to San Francisco, Julia Morgan worked as a draftsman prior to opening her own architectural company in 1904. Julia Morgan's career in architecture spanned forty-nine years.
To highlight the YWCA's character and interests, Julia Morgan utilized the Arts and Crafts style that was quite popular in California at the time. Industrialization was well under way and the Arts and Crafts movement was intended to help bring people back in touch with nature. The site chosen for the Asilomar project along the Pacific coast helped immensely in this pursuit.
When you visit Asilomar you'll see just how Julia Morgan's buildings complement this natural landscape. Building construction materials were comprised of redwood, stone and concrete.
 |
| Merrill Hall, completed in 1928 |
Asilomar first opened in July 1913. Upon opening, Asilomar was comprised of the front entrance stone pillars, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, a circus tent used for the dining hall and ten tent houses. Construction of permanent structures continued as donations were received by the YWCA. A total of sixteen structures were completed by Julia Morgan with her last structure, the Merrill Hall, was finished in 1928.
The Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall
This first completed permanent building at the Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, gives you a sense of space and grandeur. The building is now the Asilomar Conference Grounds reception area, lobby and gift shop.
Visit Asilomar Today
Asilomar is located within the scenic town of Pacific Grove, California and offers guests the simple comforts of cozy cottages and rustic lodges. It's a relaxing and unforgettable escape from everyday life.
 |
| The rustic grounds and structures at Asilomar |
This natural beauty facility is used for a number of purposes. It is primarily a conference center for hire but is also open to individual lodging guests. It's also the ideal location for family reunions and other social events. For more information regarding lodging and guest services see the website www.visitasilomar.com The setting and location of Asilomar is unsurpassed. The views from the beach are breathtaking and the resort has old world charm.
The address of the Asilomar Conference Grounds is 800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove.
You may also enjoy the Western Trips articles of Monterey Peninsula area attractions on the links below...
Monterey California From the Spaniards to the Sardine Industry
Big Sur and the Historic Hwy 1 Bridges
California Whale Watching
The Amazing San Diego Zoo / Don't Miss It
The Pacific Grove Monarch Butterflies
Visit Asilomar during the fall and winter months and you'll have a very unique treat right at your doorstep. During their over wintering season from mid-October through mid-February, clusters of monarch butterflies can be viewed at the Monarch Grove Sanctuary at 1073 Lighthouse Avenue. With the entrance located just off Lighthouse Avenue, the city park is open from sunrise to sundown and is free for all visitors.
 |
| Pacific Grove CA Museum |
The microclimate of the Monarch Grove Sanctuary is composed of Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees in a closed canopy, natural buffering windbreaks, a temperature that remains moderate all winter, close proximity to nectar sources and morning fog for moisture. An ideal climate for the Monarch. All of this is in the vicinity of the beautiful Asilomar Conference Grounds.
Add a stop to the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History any time during the year and you can learn much more about the Monarch butterfly. The museum is located at 165 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove.
(Article and photos copyright 2014 Western Trips)
