Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove · Monterey County · California
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As of Oct 12, 8:02 PM PT · latest availableDawn is the clearest window — onshore wind picks up by late morning and surface chop stirs the bottom through the afternoon.
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36.621° N · 121.944° W
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Open in Apple MapsAbout Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach runs roughly 2 miles along Sunset Drive on the southwest side of the Monterey Peninsula, from Point Pinos south to Point Joe. Sand is broken by rocky headlands and pocket coves along its length, and the Pacific groundswell breaks consistently from the west and northwest. The Coast Trail follows the bluffs above. Immediately inland sit the Asilomar Conference Grounds, developed starting in 1913 as a YWCA camp with buildings by Julia Morgan; California acquired the property in 1956.
The sandy beach with its consistent breaking surf is a surf zone biome. Rocky outcrops interrupting the sand along the shore make this a rocky reef biome. The rocky headlands also hold a Tidepools biome, exposed at low tide inside the reserve. Offshore kelp beds within the reserve add a kelp forest biome, though the surf-zone exposure limits calm-water windows. Surfing draws heavy use at Asilomar State Beach, and tidepooling and wildlife watching are steady along the rocky headlands. Scuba use here is light compared to the sheltered north-shore sites, and snorkelers work the calmer pockets between rocks. Strong rip currents and rocky outcrops in the surf zone are ongoing hazards, and fog is frequent through the peninsula microclimate.
Parking is spread across 27 free pullouts along Sunset Drive, with restrooms and outdoor showers at the main crossing. The lots rarely fill because access spreads over the whole shoreline. Take of any marine resource is prohibited within the Asilomar SMR, which is a no-take reserve.
Surf Zone
The surf zone biome consists of sandy beaches and breaking waves. The action of surf disturbing the sand and kicking it up exposes marine invertebrates, buried in their shallow dens. This natural exposure of invertebrates attracts all kinds of fish, looking for an easy meal. Learn more about this biome and the species found in it by clicking the link below.
Learn more in the Biome Glossary
Rocky Reef
The rocky reef biome is bare rock, boulder, and cobble structure without a kelp canopy above it. The hard relief and its crevices shelter invertebrates and reef fish, and the structure concentrates life that the surrounding sand cannot hold. Learn more about this biome and the species found in it by clicking the link below.
Learn more in the Biome Glossary
Kelp Forest
The kelp forest biome is giant kelp anchored to rocky bottom and growing up through the water column. The canopy and stipes form a three-dimensional habitat that shelters fish, invertebrates, and the predators that hunt them. Learn more about this biome and the species found in it by clicking the link below.
Learn more in the Biome Glossary
Tidepools
The tidepool biome is rocky shore that the ocean covers at high tide and uncovers at low tide. Pools left behind in the rock hold anemones, sea stars, urchins, snails, crabs, and small fish that can handle hours of sun and air between tides. Learn more about this biome and the species found in it by clicking the link below.
Learn more in the Biome GlossarySnorkel Species Report
Researched habitat and range candidates. A listed species may be seasonal or depth-limited; this is not a confirmed sighting at this location.
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