Pacific Grove’s Asilomar State Beach: Video Tour and Tips

Pacific Grove’s Asilomar State Beach is clean, peaceful, brimming with wildlife, and lined with fantastic running trails. It seemed like a great spot to start our series of video tours, and we lucked out with a warm, breezy day. Avoiding a chilly plunge into a tide pool was pretty lucky too — watch out for slippery rocks! And after you check out our little video, scroll down for more Asilomar Beach information and insider tips.

ASILOMAR BEACH VIDEO TOUR

Animals: Yours and Asilomar’s

Dogs are welcome on the beach, but, unlike Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach, they must remain leashed to protect bird and other wildlife. Also, tide-pool critters need to remain where you find them — even the little guys have a big impact on the coast’s ecosystem.

Watch for sea lions and otters, which laze about in the beds of kelp.

Bird-watching enthusiasts love Asilomar’s diverse and abundant species. The full check list can be found within this  www.parks.ca.gov PDF. Quiet, low voices and smooth movements increase your ogling odds, and binoculars are always a good idea. Want more insider bird watching guidance? The good folks at The Asilomar Conference Center are also happy to answer your questions.

Trail-Blazers

The State Park Guide details the mile-long coastal trails, which are absolutely worth a stroll, and if you can visit around sunset — all the better. Bikes are only welcome on a few select trails, so watch for signage. Sunset Avenue has a bike lane, allowing for an easy 1 mile ride north to Lover’s Point, where you can hop onto the Coastal Bike Trails and breeze all the way up to Seaside.

Surf

Asilomar surfing conditions are “challenging”. You can expect strong undercurrents, rocks, and generally frigid water. The Conference Center encourages visitors to dive in, but personally, I’d suggest that beginners start with Carmel-by-the-Sea Beach. Feeling brave? Check out the Asilomar Surf Report and Forecast, first.

Practicalities

There aren’t any restrooms at Asilomar State Beach. The nearest fascilities can be found at the nearby Conference Grounds, or Lover’s Point Park — about a mile north.

Ample parking can be found along Sunset Avenue. If the beach is especially busy, you may have to park a ways down and walk back — there aren’t any lots, but it is a beautiful walk.

Let’s talk about the weather. May-November are the area’s warmest, sunniest months, but even Pacific Grove’s cool foggy days are outrageously beautiful.

Related Articles:

Carmel Beach Surfing Tips from a Local Expert

Oh Deer! And More Central Coast Wildlife

Let’s Talk About the Weather

Carmel, California’s Elusive Public Restrooms