Asilomar State Marine Reserve

Asilomar State Marine Reserve is a protected ocean area along the Monterey Peninsula featuring rocky coastlines, tide pools, and kelp forests that create diverse marine habitats. The reserve supports seals, sea otters, nesting seabirds, and abundant underwater life within its boundaries.

The state established this marine reserve in 2007 as part of a larger effort to protect California's coastal ecosystems through a network of designated safe zones. This decision came from recognition that certain ocean areas needed legal protection to maintain healthy marine populations.

The area holds deep meaning for marine science; researchers at nearby institutions dedicate themselves to understanding ocean ecosystems, and visitors can sense how the reserve connects local communities to ocean conservation efforts.

Visitors can access the coastal areas freely and watch marine animals directly from cliffs and beaches without fees. The tide pools are most rewarding to explore during low tide when sea creatures are visible in shallow water.

Ground squirrels make their homes in the coastal bluffs and create burrows among the rocks, a surprising link between land and sea life. Few visitors expect to find these small mammals thriving in what appears to be a purely marine setting.