Guided & Self-Guided Tours

Free Guided Tours

Comprised of just over 100 acres, Asilomar is a small but mighty park unit, encompassing a diverse array of natural and cultural resources. Beginning at the waters of the Asilomar State Marine Reserve, the park continues over the sandy beach habitat and north along a mile of rocky shore. Just inland from the beach is Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve -- one of the most successful dune restoration projects in the United States. Follow the boardwalk through the dune habitat and find yourself in one of the world's only native stands of Monterey Pine. Nestled in the forest is Asilomar's Historic Core  -- a National Historic Landmark designed by Julia Morgan for the YWCA beginning in 1913. 

Throughout the year, State Parks staff and volunteers lead tours within the park.

Asilomar Origins Tour:

YEAR ROUND, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS at 10AM

(subject to staff/volunteer availability)

Commissioned by the YWCA and designed by trailblazing architect Julia Morgan, Asilomar is the first permanent camp and conference facility to be owned and operated by women in the United States. Originally built to host a summer camp for high-school girls to "support their intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral, and social health," and encourage them to pursue college and careers, Asilomar continues to operate as a bustling conference center and represents more than a century of social progress, intellectual advancement, and a whole lot of fun.

Approximately 90 minutes. 1/2 mile -- several stops with seating. Some stairs and slopes. 

Call 831-640-6440 with questions.

711, TTY Relay Service, California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact Jenifer Lienau Thompson at 831-646-6440

Asilomar Dunes Walk: 

April 4 - August 30, Fridays and Saturdays at 3 PM 

(subject to staff/volunteer availability)

Monthly Bird Walks, guided by the Audubon Society

Every second Sunday. Reservations required. RSVP by emailing montereyaudubon@gmail.com

Current tour schedule details are listed below. 

Sign Up at the State Park desk in the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall. 

Phone: (831) 646-6440
Email: J.Lienau.Thompson@parks.ca.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Tours are subject to weather and guide availability. 

Self-Guided Tours

Learn the story of Asilomar's cultural and natural history on this self-guided mobile phone tour which covers a wide range of 61 topics. Your mobile phone tour is as long or as short as you need it to be - why not catch a little Julia Morgan history (stop 881) or learn how Asilomar got its name (stop 885) in between conference sessions? Mobile phone tour brochures with instructions, access phone number, stop numbers and QR codes, and a map locating  tour stops are located at the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall (Registration Building). The tour is free, but does use mobile phone minutes; each phone stop narrative is about 2-3 minutes in length. Mobile Phone Tour 

 Self-Guided Walk Brochures: Available to Download

• Julia Morgan Architecture -  allow about 45 minutes and plan to walk 1/4 mile for this self-guided tour that highlights the historic buildings by famed architect Julia Morgan.  .

• Dunes Preserve - A quarter-mile boardwalk loop begins just north of the Grace Dodge Chapel and winds through the Asilomar Dunes Preserve - 25 acres of restored and preserved dunes habitat. This walk provides panoramic vistas of the Asilomar Coast, Asilomar State Beach and the Pebble Beach-Spanish Bay area. Benches situated along the boardwalk allow for leisurely sunset gazing and whale watching throughout the year.

*Click the highligted links above to view brochures. 

Informational Displays

Informational displays can be found in Asilomar's historic buildings: Crocker Dining Hall (in hallway left of food service area), Grace Dodge Chapel Auditorium, Visitor's Lodge, Scripps Lodge, Stuck-up Inn, and Pirates' Den. The information displays tell the history of these Julian Morgan-designed buildings.