State ParksBeaches

About

The name of this State Beach means "a refuge by the sea," which describes the breathtaking views of forest, surf and sand on more than 105 secluded acres of scenic forest and sand dunes.

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Top ways to experience Asilomar State Beach and nearby attractions

2.5-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey
387
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
E-Bike Tours
from
$79.00
per adult
1-Hour Monterey and Cannery Row GoCar Tour
89
Adventure Tours
from
$99.00
per group (up to 2)
Monterey 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour
40
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$60.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Scenic 17-Mile Drive Tour - Self Drive Audio Guide from Monterey & Carmel
19
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from
$14.99
per group (up to 4)
BEST SELLER
Monterey Whale Watching Tour
256
Recommended
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Nature and Wildlife Tours
from
$65.00
per adult
Carmel-by-the-Sea 2.5 Hour Electric Bike Tour
35
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$79.00
per adult
17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour
227
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$75.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Macaron making with a Master Chef - Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
28
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
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$99.00
per adult
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea
50
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$35.00
per adult
Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour
240
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$149.00
per adult
Half-Day Whale Watching Tour From Monterey
660
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$80.00
per adult
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour
157
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$45.00
per adult
Carmel-By-The-Sea Electric Bike Guided Tour
37
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$75.00
per adult
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Guided 2-Hour Point Lobos Nature Walk
29
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Wildlife Watching
from
$49.00
per adult
Monterey Bay Whale Watching
245
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Eco Tours
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$69.95
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The area

Address

Reach out directly

Best nearby

Restaurants

244 within 3 miles

Fishwife

1,090

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Seafood • Vegetarian friendly

Sticks

265

0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian friendly

Phoebe's Cafe

13

457 ft$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe

Roy's at Pebble Beach

657

0.6 mi$$$$ • American • Seafood • Sushi

Peppoli at Pebble Beach

243

0.6 mi$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian friendly • Gluten free options

0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub

Passionfish

1,740

1 mi$$$$ • Seafood • Vegetarian friendly • Vegan options

Red House Cafe

1,464

1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Contemporary

Pavel's Backerei

350

1.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • Vegetarian friendly

See all

Attractions

264 within 6 miles

17-Mile Drive

12,729

1.6 miScenic Drives

Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard

757

1.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

Monterey Bay Aquarium

14,511

2 miAquariums

Monarch Grove Sanctuary

457

0.7 miNature & Wildlife Areas

Point Pinos Lighthouse

1.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Beaches

Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail

2.1 miBodies of Water

Spanish Bay

19

0.6 miBodies of Water

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0

1,067 reviews

Excellent

855

Very good

186

Average

24

Poor

2

Terrible

0

mini

Fremont, CA212,260 contributions

Wonderful Time and Sunset at Asilomar State Beach

Sep 2020

We spent Labor Day week-end in Pacific Grove We could walk to Asilomar State Beach, which is a very scenic beach.

We also enjoyed seeing sundown there.

This is one of our favorite beaches in the area.

Written September 9, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Doug G

Fresno, CA19 contributions

Wonderful dog beach

Feb 2021

Just the right size for an easy stroll with your dogs. Most dogs are off-leash tho there seems to be some sort of leash rule we never fully figured out. Sometimes you need your down jacket and a blanket; other times it's just NorCal chilly.

Written February 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Basha Fradkin-Gelman Opie

42 contributions

Go to Asilomar

Aug 2022

I first went to Asilomar for a Mensa function while pregnant with my daughter Molly. The cafeteria food is great. You are in Pacific Grove, right at the tip of the peninsula of Monterrey. Remember Cannery Row? John Steinbeck, very educational. It is hazy and cool in the mornings, and sun comes out later on so bring a sweater.

Written September 5, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fiddlestogo

sparks nv353 contributions

all perfect, whatever you want.

Feb 2020

There is an actual sandy beach right across from the conference grounds. You can walk on this beach for a long time. Above the beach there is a walking path that takes you along forever. I think you could follow this path almost to monterey. This takes you by tide pool areas, gorgeous vistas. These beaches can be very cold and windy. Layered clothes are necessary.

Written February 24, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kayohh7

Monterey, CA140 contributions

Best beach in the area

Apr 2021 • Family

This is the beach we go to when we want to go to the beach. In my opinion it’s the best beach in the area. You park along the road so if it’s busy it will be hard to find a spot but we have always found a spot! Dog friendly and just such a good vibe.

Written April 16, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anshul S

Seattle, WA70 contributions

Perfect for sunset

Jul 2020

We stayed close to the beach for a couple nights during our road trip. This is a very well maintained area for a good evening walk or bike ride. This is part of the 17mile drive to Carmel and is absolutely gorgeous.
Take some blanket with you if you want to spend an evening catching sunset. It does get cold but is worth it.

Written July 11, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Margie A

Huntington Beach, CA1 contribution

Beautiful spot but needs to be brought up to date.

Jun 2022 • Business

Beautiful shoreline! We were the first group to visit since the pandemic. We stayed in the Afterglow building. I had requested an ADA room. The tub and bathroom had hand rails. But the pocket door to the bathroom was hard to close. I requested some help from the hotel staff. But it was very difficult to slide closed.
I was at a business meeting where I needed to use the internet. The internet is very slow.

Written July 22, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SteelCity13

Austin, TX902 contributions

JUST PRETTY

Apr 2021

Wonderful beach to chill out on or explore. Beatiful scenery. Lots of street Parking. Lots of tide pools to explore. You can have bonfires on some parks of this beach. Really nice place to relax. Just PRETTY

Written May 7, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James K

Santa Rosa, CA5 contributions

Large Pretty beach

Sep 2021

Very large beach. My only trouble is the sand is to soft for my beach power wheelchair. We reached the beach using the 17 mile drive from the north. Very pretty. You do drive by the lone famous tree. Recommend.

Written September 29, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

danG4400

Salinas, CA113 contributions

Great beach for walking, surfing, and just relaxing

Jul 2022

A great and clean beach between Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. Great for walking along the shore, playing in the sand and ocean, relaxing, climbing the rocks, and surfing. Dog friendly. A walk out to Point Joe in Pebble Beach and back to Ocean View Blvd. is a little over three miles.

Written July 15, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Showing results 1-10 of 1,024

See all 7 questions

OnAir29082343876

Salinas, California

Can you park a van off the roadway and bike lane for overnight parking. I have not seen any restrictions for several miles??

Written December 31, 2021

Naz727

Dallas, Texas

3 contributions

Are small bonfires allowed; if so which end?

Written August 13, 2021

Melanie D

Can u have bonfires on beach?

Written July 5, 2017

Sherri P

Monterey County, California

44 contributions

As far as I know fires are not allowed on the "State Beach" (the end closest to the road) however you can have small Webers or hibachis. If you cross the small stream going from the boardwalk to the sea( the county end; towards the point at the far end) small fires are allowed.

Written July 6, 2017

jkah3

San Antonio, Texas

4 contributions

Does the Asilomar conference center let beach goers use their bathroom?

Written June 29, 2016

mfags

Oakland, California

100 contributions

I doubt it, there are several port a potty units in place along the beach road.

Written June 30, 2016

Nazy5519

138 contributions

Are dogs permitted on the beach?

Written May 2, 2016

Tonja C

88 contributions

Yes. We saw several dogs and very few of them were leashed. They were all well behaved and it seems everyone does clean up after them. We saw no "gifts" left behind. :)

Written May 3, 2016

Shirleen S

Houston, Texas

39 contributions

Could you give me some information on the family house that you have been staying at near Asilomar State Beach? Is it for rent and can you give me any details? Thanks!!

Written June 11, 2015

9erfan

Petaluma, California

39 contributions

I stayed at the Deer Haven Inn which is an economical motel across the street from Asilomar but I am sure there would be a plethora of homes for rent in the Monterey-Pacific Grove- Carmel area. I would shoot for Pacific Grove as it is quieter,a little cheaper than Monterey and probably somewhat cheaper than Carmel. You are also 2 miles away from Monterey and probably 10 to Carmel

Written June 12, 2015

Roberta H

Seattle, Washington

56 contributions

Are there many places for having a picnic? Also can you barbecue there? We have l large family group and would like to take advantage of the outdoors for meals. Thank you.

Written February 27, 2015