Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds
Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds is a coastal resort in California spread across more than 100 acres of dunes and forest. The property features Arts and Crafts style buildings made of wood and stone connected by paths, along with gardens, a dining hall, cottages, and rooms with simple historical furnishings.
The grounds were founded in 1913 as a YWCA leadership camp and have housed various groups since then. The buildings were designed by Julia Morgan, a renowned architect, and the site was named a California Historic Landmark in 1987.
The name Asilomar comes from Spanish and means 'refuge by the sea'. Today, the buildings and paths serve as gathering places where visitors walk, dine, and connect, much as they did when the site first opened as a leadership camp.
The grounds sit near the beach and are a short drive from Pacific Grove but secluded enough for uninterrupted relaxation. Visitors should expect modest room amenities and dining at set meal times, as the property follows a community rhythm.
Many rooms retain original wooden floors and exposed beams from Julia Morgan's designs, with no televisions or phones, which many guests find refreshing as a way to disconnect from modern technology. This deliberate absence of conveniences creates a rare retreat reminiscent of earlier times.
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