Asilomar State Beach

Asilomar State Beach is a 107 acre beach located on the Monterey Peninsula; the beach can be used for day use and overnight lodging. It is a narrow strip of sandy beach with rocky coves, beach and coast trails and a boardwalk loop through a natural dune preserve. Asilomar means 'refuge by the sea'.

The water at the park is free of turbidity, creating clear water and providing visitors with amazing views of the rock reefs through the cresting waves. The water is similar to that in The Bahamas. The water is colder then other beaches in the area from the upwelling of cold water from Monterey Canyon. As the water is so clear at the beach it is very popular with snorkelers and SCUBA divers.

Surfing is good at the beach from April to September, during the winter the waves can be unpredictable and unreliable. Surfers should use fiberglass or epoxy boards and enter the water from the far right of the beach as the current will push surfers towards the middle of the beach. On the far left of the beach surfing is only recommended by expert surfers due to the jagged rocks and big wave sets.

The beach also incorporates Asilomar Conference Grounds which is a National Historic Landmark.

There are no bathroom facilities at the beach, there is on the conference grounds and across from the entrance to the beach. The beach is open for all visitors, who are asked to respect the area as it is a sanctuary and illegal to disturb the biota or other natural parts of the beach.