![\"Boardwalk](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/8eca963c169a0bc9af6db21b92044904.jpeg\"\/)
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Boardwalk over the dunes at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California – Anne M Vallone\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
I grew up in the Midwest, and it wasn’t until my first visit to the California coast as an adult that I truly understood why people would say that one of their favorite things was a long walk on the beach. One of my favorite beaches for a stroll has become\u00a0Asilomar State Beach<\/a> in the delightful seaside town of Pacific Grove<\/a>. This state park, whose full name is Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds, includes a span of white sand beach, a restored section of native sand dunes, and a historic conference center and hotel set amidst a pine forest.<\/p>\n Asilomar<\/a> means “refuge by the sea,” and when you see it, the name makes perfect sense. The beach itself is a mile-long stretch of coastline that’s a mix of rocky outcroppings and creamy pale sand that seems to glitter in the right light. It’s an idyllic place for a walk, and it’s not just people who love it. It’s a real haven for all kinds of wildlife on the land, in the air, and in the sea.<\/p>\n The beach starts at the north near the Point Pinos Lighthouse, and it runs south towards the Pebble Beach community. There’s a mile-long\u00a0trail along its length that takes you between the beach and Sunset Drive. If you keep your eyes on the water, you might see harbor seals and California sea lions diving for food or resting near the rocks.<\/p>\n Read more: Florida Beach Towns That Could Pass For The Caribbean<\/a><\/p>\n Dune restoration and birding at Asilomar State Beach Bird at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove, California – David A Litman\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The coast near Pacific Grove once had nearly 500 acres of sand dunes, and what remains is the\u00a025 acres of dunes that make up the\u00a0Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve<\/a>\u00a0near the southern end of Asilomar Beach.\u00a0It took decades of work to restore this\u00a0area that had been overgrazed and overused,\u00a0and now the dunes\u00a0between the forest and Asilomar Beach are filled with native plants. It was made into a Natural Preserve in 2005 to help keep this unique habitat protected for future generations. There’s a 0.25-mile-long boardwalk that runs through the dunes; stay on the path to help protect the native plants growing here, some of which are endangered. On Fridays and Saturdays, there are guided tours<\/a> of the dunes in the afternoon.<\/p>\n Asilomar Beach is a fantastic spot for birdwatching<\/a>, with migratory and year-round birds making their homes here. You can see birds like snowy plovers nesting on the beach and\u00a0black oystercatchers\u00a0and pelicans swooping low over the waves.\u00a0On the second Sunday of each month, there’s a guided bird walk.<\/p>\n You’ll also find birds in the inland section of the park near the dunes, which features a\u00a0natural Monterey pine forest ecosystem<\/a>. It’s one of just three on the Central Coast; the others are at A\u00f1o Nuevo and Cambria. It’s home to birds like acorn woodpeckers and red-shouldered hawks,\u00a0along with mammals like black-tailed deer.<\/p>\n Tide pools and historic architecture at Asilomar Beach Rocks at low tide at Asilomar State Beach – Sean Lema\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Asilomar State Beach is also great for tide pooling. You can spot\u00a0sea anemones, sand dollars, sea stars, and all kinds of creatures.\u00a0You might even spot an octopus.\u00a0Go at low tide, watch your step, and\u00a0\u2014 as always\u00a0\u2014 don’t bother the wildlife.<\/p>\n The Asilomar State Beach property includes the Asilomar Conference Grounds<\/a>\u00a0in the pine forest, originally built in 1913 as a YWCA summer conference center and camp for girls. It was designed by Julia Morgan<\/a>, the same architect who worked on Hearst Castle down the coast in San Simeon<\/a>. Many of Morgan’s buildings are still standing, and they’re classic examples of the Arts and Crafts architecture movement,\u00a0with local wood and stone that blends well with the forest surroundings. You can spend the night here; the rooms<\/a> are a mix of modern and historic, including some designed by Morgan. There’s also a Morgan-designed\u00a0dining hall<\/a>\u00a0where guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner with views of the beach.<\/p>\n Asilomar State Beach is definitely a stand-out beach along the Central Coast, but it’s not the only one. For more beautiful beaches, head south from Asilomar to the purple sand beach of Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur<\/a> or north to Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter<\/a> and add us as a preferred search source<\/a> for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets.<\/p>\n![\"Bird](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/15c11db4441eca2e298b008363103a43.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Rocks](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/40068280e655e4f60d6f2a1f3ea0de4a.jpeg\"\/)
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