Asilomar State Beach
Encyclopedia
Asilomar State Beach is a state park
unit of California
, USA, providing public access to rocky coast and dune habitat on the Monterey Peninsula
. The property includes the Asilomar Conference Grounds
, a conference center built in 1913 that is now a National Historic Landmark
. The 107 acres (43.3 ha) site is located in Pacific Grove
and offers overnight lodging and views of the forest, surf and sand.
Asilomar (meaning "Asylum or refuge by the sea" and pronounced a-SIL-o-mar) is a portmanteau from two Spanish words: "asilo" and "mar".
and rocky cove
s. A 1 miles (1.6 km) trail, which runs through the dunes, is open to pedestrians. This trail is wheelchair-accessible, and beach wheelchairs are available at Asilomar State Beach. Bicycling is allowed on the paved bike lane in proximity to the trail. The ocean off shore is protected as the Asilomar State Marine Reserve
, part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
. The rocky coves are home to thousands of species, some of which are unique to the bay. As a sanctuary, it is illegal to disturb biota.
. The water is also cold compared to other beaches in the Monterey area, due to its exposure to the open ocean and the upwelling of cold water from nearby Monterey Canyon
, which funnels the icy water right to shore at this location. Despite the cold water the area is popular among snorkelers and SCUBA divers.
The beach does not feature a bathroom facility.
Asilomar State Beach incorporates Asilomar Conference Grounds, designed in the Arts & Crafts style by architect Julia Morgan
. The facility was built in 1913 as a conference center and summer camp for the YWCA
. Morgan designed and built 16 buildings on the property, of which 13 are still standing. The retreat was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its role in the development of the YWCA and the resort nature of nearby Monterey, California
.
was shot at Asilomar Beach and Conference Grounds.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
unit of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA, providing public access to rocky coast and dune habitat on the Monterey Peninsula
Monterey Peninsula
The Monterey Peninsula is located on the central California coast and comprises the cities of Monterey, Carmel, and Pacific Grove, and unincorporated areas of Monterey County including the resort and community of Pebble Beach.-Monterey:...
. The property includes the Asilomar Conference Grounds
Asilomar Conference Grounds
Asilomar Conference Grounds is a conference center built for the YWCA in 1913 at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California. Julia Morgan designed and built 16 of the buildings on the property, of which 11 are still standing. It became part of Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds in...
, a conference center built in 1913 that is now a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. The 107 acres (43.3 ha) site is located in Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, California
Pacific Grove is a coastal city in Monterey County, California, USA, with a population of 15,041 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,522 as of the 2000 census...
and offers overnight lodging and views of the forest, surf and sand.
Asilomar (meaning "Asylum or refuge by the sea" and pronounced a-SIL-o-mar) is a portmanteau from two Spanish words: "asilo" and "mar".
Description
Asilomar State Beach is a narrow, 1 miles (1.6 km) strip of sandy beachBeach
A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...
and rocky cove
Cove
A cove is a small type of bay or coastal inlet. They usually have narrow, restricted entrances, are often circular or oval, and are often inside a larger bay. Small, narrow, sheltered bays, inlets, creeks, or recesses in a coast are often considered coves...
s. A 1 miles (1.6 km) trail, which runs through the dunes, is open to pedestrians. This trail is wheelchair-accessible, and beach wheelchairs are available at Asilomar State Beach. Bicycling is allowed on the paved bike lane in proximity to the trail. The ocean off shore is protected as the Asilomar State Marine Reserve
Asilomar State Marine Reserve
Asilomar State Marine Reserve is one of four small marine protected areas located near the cities of Monterey and Pacific Grove, at the southern end of Monterey Bay on California’s central coast. The four MPAs together encompass . The SMR protects all marine life within its boundaries...
, part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a US Federally protected marine area offshore of California's central coast around Monterey Bay....
. The rocky coves are home to thousands of species, some of which are unique to the bay. As a sanctuary, it is illegal to disturb biota.
Recreation
The water in the vicinity of Asilomar State Beach is rather free of turbidityTurbidity
Turbidity is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in air. The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality....
. The water is also cold compared to other beaches in the Monterey area, due to its exposure to the open ocean and the upwelling of cold water from nearby Monterey Canyon
Monterey Canyon
Monterey Canyon, or Monterey Submarine Canyon, is a submarine canyon in Monterey Bay, California. It is the subject of ongoing study by the scientists at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and other oceanographic institutions.Monterey Canyon begins...
, which funnels the icy water right to shore at this location. Despite the cold water the area is popular among snorkelers and SCUBA divers.
The beach does not feature a bathroom facility.
Asilomar Conference Grounds
Julia Morgan
Julia Morgan was an American architect. The architect of over 700 buildings in California, she is best known for her work on Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California...
. The facility was built in 1913 as a conference center and summer camp for the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
. Morgan designed and built 16 buildings on the property, of which 13 are still standing. The retreat was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its role in the development of the YWCA and the resort nature of nearby Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
.
In popular culture
The 2009 film The Shift by self-help advocate Wayne DyerWayne Dyer
Wayne Walter Dyer is an American self-help advocate, author, and lecturer.- Early life :Dyer was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Melvin Lyle and Hazel Irene Dyer and spent much of his adolescence in an orphanage on the east side of Detroit. Dr. Wayne Dyer is a 1958 graduate of Denby High School;...
was shot at Asilomar Beach and Conference Grounds.