Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds

Asilomar is one of the most distinctive and best-value places to stay on the Monterey Peninsula: a historic retreat inside the California state park system, set on 107 acres of Monterey pine forest and restored dunes in Pacific Grove, directly across the road from the coves and tide pools of Asilomar State Beach. It began in 1913 as a YWCA camp, and the architect Julia Morgan (later famous for Hearst Castle) designed its first buildings between 1913 and 1928 in a rustic Arts and Crafts style of local stone and timber; several survive as a National Historic Landmark district, including the social hall where guests still gather by the fire. Lodging is spread among many lodges across the grounds. The Historic Rooms, in Morgan-era buildings, have hardwood floors, simple California furnishings and shared lodge living rooms with fireplaces; the Standard Rooms, many designed later by John Carl Warnecke to complement Morgan's work, are more contemporary, with fireplaces and some patios or balconies; and a handful of cottages suit families and groups. Rooms are deliberately free of modern distractions, so expect quiet rather than big-screen entertainment. There is a heated pool, on-site dining, walking paths through the dunes, and deer wandering the lawns at dusk. Many guests are attending conferences, but leisure travelers are welcome, and the beach sunsets are free. Fit: families (space and nature), couples who want a peaceful, historic setting, outdoors lovers, and budget-conscious travelers who still want to wake up beside the ocean.

Asilomar is managed for California State Parks by a concessionaire, and its mission blends lodging with stewardship: the dunes restoration project, ranger-led walks and self-guided architecture tours explain both the ecology and the Morgan buildings. A historic preservation center opened on the grounds in 2026, adding to the interpretive programs.