Asilomar State Beach
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Asilomar State Beach, Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Starting Point:You can start from the southern end of the beach on Sunset Drive, where a wooden gate marks the Asilomar Beach Trail entrance to the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve boardwalk, and to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. You can also start from the north end, near the intersection with Lighthouse Ave, and make your way south. In either case, the one-way trip is approximately one mile.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Asilomar State Beach info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=566
Asilomar State Marine Reserve info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27204
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Center Self Guided Tours info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24077
Map links:
Asilomar State Beach and Pacific Grove map and info link (Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau):
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/beaches/asilomar/
Distance:
Asilomar State Beach runs along the western side of Pacific Grove, and is approximately 1 mile long. Round trip walk is 2 miles, with great views in both directions.
Considerations:
• For those staying at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, this is an easy walking option to choose. There is a path leading from the conference grounds to the beach.
• I did not see public toilet facilities along the beach path, though I’ve read posts saying there are port-a-potties sometimes. On the southern end, the Asilomar Conference Grounds has a main hall with a café and restrooms, but that is a bit of a walk from the beach.
• Be sure to bring sun protection and water. Even overcast days can cause bad sunburns.
• Be careful of riptides if going in the water.
• Tide pools are great for viewing sea life, but remember no collecting or fishing is allowed here.
• Beach wheelchairs are available. (http://access.parks.ca.gov/parkinfo.asp?park=171&type=0)
• Dogs allowed on leash.
The Trail:
You can’t get a whole lot simpler than a beautiful beach, a mile long path, and great views walking either direction.
Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach in its own right, but can’t help but be associated with the Asilomar Conference Grounds. There are paths through the conference grounds leading to the Asilomar Dunes Boardwalk and to Asilomar State Beach.
The south end of the beach is marked by an iconic wooden gate across the road from the beach, marking the start of the path to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Facing the beach from this area, the beach opens up to the left into a broad beach area where people set up beach blankets and hang out for beach day.
Like others who want to explore the length of the beach, instead of heading left to the open beach, we turned right (north) and headed up the pathway that parallels Sunset Drive.
The mile long walk along the beach is a mishmash of wooden boardwalks, sandy paths, and scattered rustic wood and chain stairways leading from the path down to the water.
There are also nature information signs here and there. Tide pools are always fascinating, and there are plenty to look at along this stretch.
Having a light beach towel or beach blanket along is great in case you find a quiet little patch of beach you’d like to hang out at. If you decide to skip one little beach cove, there’ll be another a little further along.
A rustic wooden gazebo structure appears toward the north end of the beach, indicating that you’re getting toward the end of the main beach path, and will soon be near Jewell Ave. and Lighthouse Ave. which lead to the populated part of Pacific Grove.
This end of Asilomar State Beach also brings you in the vicinity of Point Pinos Lighthouse.
Whichever direction you decide to walk, the scenery is dramatic whether under blue skies or misty gray.
(Asilomar State Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “The Unsteady But Persistent Path” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Asilomar State Beach, Sunset Drive, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Starting Point:You can start from the southern end of the beach on Sunset Drive, where a wooden gate marks the Asilomar Beach Trail entrance to the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve boardwalk, and to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. You can also start from the north end, near the intersection with Lighthouse Ave, and make your way south. In either case, the one-way trip is approximately one mile.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Asilomar State Beach info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=566
Asilomar State Marine Reserve info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27204
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Center Self Guided Tours info link (California State Parks):
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24077
Map links:
Asilomar State Beach and Pacific Grove map and info link (Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau):
https://www.seemonterey.com/things-to-do/beaches/asilomar/
Distance:
Asilomar State Beach runs along the western side of Pacific Grove, and is approximately 1 mile long. Round trip walk is 2 miles, with great views in both directions.
Considerations:
• For those staying at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, this is an easy walking option to choose. There is a path leading from the conference grounds to the beach.
• I did not see public toilet facilities along the beach path, though I’ve read posts saying there are port-a-potties sometimes. On the southern end, the Asilomar Conference Grounds has a main hall with a café and restrooms, but that is a bit of a walk from the beach.
• Be sure to bring sun protection and water. Even overcast days can cause bad sunburns.
• Be careful of riptides if going in the water.
• Tide pools are great for viewing sea life, but remember no collecting or fishing is allowed here.
• Beach wheelchairs are available. (http://access.parks.ca.gov/parkinfo.asp?park=171&type=0)
• Dogs allowed on leash.
The Trail:
You can’t get a whole lot simpler than a beautiful beach, a mile long path, and great views walking either direction.
Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach in its own right, but can’t help but be associated with the Asilomar Conference Grounds. There are paths through the conference grounds leading to the Asilomar Dunes Boardwalk and to Asilomar State Beach.
The south end of the beach is marked by an iconic wooden gate across the road from the beach, marking the start of the path to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Facing the beach from this area, the beach opens up to the left into a broad beach area where people set up beach blankets and hang out for beach day.
Like others who want to explore the length of the beach, instead of heading left to the open beach, we turned right (north) and headed up the pathway that parallels Sunset Drive.
The mile long walk along the beach is a mishmash of wooden boardwalks, sandy paths, and scattered rustic wood and chain stairways leading from the path down to the water.
There are also nature information signs here and there. Tide pools are always fascinating, and there are plenty to look at along this stretch.
Having a light beach towel or beach blanket along is great in case you find a quiet little patch of beach you’d like to hang out at. If you decide to skip one little beach cove, there’ll be another a little further along.
A rustic wooden gazebo structure appears toward the north end of the beach, indicating that you’re getting toward the end of the main beach path, and will soon be near Jewell Ave. and Lighthouse Ave. which lead to the populated part of Pacific Grove.
This end of Asilomar State Beach also brings you in the vicinity of Point Pinos Lighthouse.
Whichever direction you decide to walk, the scenery is dramatic whether under blue skies or misty gray.
(Asilomar State Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “The Unsteady But Persistent Path” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
