Asilomar Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you have a question that's not answered here or on our Web site, please call us at (831) 372-8016.
Q. What is a state park?
A. Click here to learn more about the California State Park System.
Q.
Is Asilomar located in Monterey or Pacific Grove?
A. Asilomar Conference Grounds is situated in Monterey County within the city of Pacific Grove. Downtown Pacific Grove is less than a mile from the property.
Q.
How far is Asilomar from the San Francisco Bay Area?A. Asilomar is approximately 120 miles south of downtown San Francisco (about 95 miles from San Francisco International Airport) and about 70 miles south of San Jose.
Q.
How far is Asilomar from Los Angeles?A. Asilomar is approximately 325 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, and is about 310 miles from LAX.
Q.
Where is the nearest airport? A. The nearest airport is Monterey Peninsula Airport located at Highway 68 and Olmsted Road. It offers direct flights to San Francisco International, Los Angeles LAX, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Diego, and Phoenix.
Q.
What is the cultural history of Asilomar?A. Asilomar has a long and rich history.
Click here for more information.
Q.
What does the word Asilomar mean?A. The word Asilomar is a combination of two Spanish words: Asilo meaning retreat or refuge and mar meaning sea. Thus we are known as the "refuge by the sea."
Q.
Who is Julia Morgan?A. Julia Moran was the original architect of Asilomar.
Click here to learn more.
Q.
What other buildings has Julia Morgan designed?A. Julia Morgan also designed St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Berkeley and the famed Hearst Castle. For her more on her work,
click here.
Q.
What is "Chapel" building? Is it a church? A. The Grace H. Dodge Chapel is a large multi-purpose facility designed
by architect Julia Morgan and dedicated to Grace H. Dodge, the first president of the national YWCA
®. The chapel seats 400 and may be used for religious and spiritual gatherings, but it is not a church.
Q.
Can I feed the wildlife?
A. Feeding is prohibited by law. We ask that you do not approach the wildlife, even if they seem very tame. The deer can also be quite aggressive, especially during certain times of the year. Raccoons can appear very cuddly and playful, but they can be quite destructive, and they may bite. Please enjoy all the wildlife at a distance.
Q.
Can I collect pine cones, rocks, or seashells as souvenirs?
A. Unfortunately, in order to protect and preserve the natural landscape and wildlife habitats at Asilomar, the law prohibits the collecting of marine life, rocks, driftwood, or kelp; the cutting, destroying, or collecting of park plants or plant parts; and the feeding, harassing, or injuring of wild animals. In short, we want to insure that everything remains exactly where it is and as nature intended it to be for the longterm benefit of this natural ecological environment.
Q.
Is it safe to walk around the grounds after dark?
A. For the most part, yes. However, this is a fairly rustic park, and you should stay on the paved areas only and watch your step very carefully. A flashlight can be handy. Should wildlife cross your path, keep your distance and let them move out of your way before you proceed.
Q.
If I want to extend my stay once my conference is over, may I get a room of my own?
A. Of course. Simply
click here to check availability and rates.
Q.
Is Asilomar open all year long?A. Yes, 365 days a year.
Q.
When is the best time of year to visit Asilomar?A. Asilomar is located on the Central Coast of California where the weather is mild year-round and the scenery retains its beauty throughout the seasons. Our greenest season is winter when we have a little more rain, and our warmest season is fall. It’s always best to pack a warm sweater and light jacket as afternoons and evenings can be a bit cool.
Q.
Can I walk to the beach from Asilomar?A. Asilomar is at the beach, with a boardwalk that takes you there. A path also runs parallel along a portion of the rocky shoreline.
Q.
Can you go swimming in the ocean?A. You can, but it is not advisable. The water is very cold year-round. The ocean, particularly off Asilomar State Beach, is known to have rip tides and strong currents that can sweep a person out to sea. Even wading can be hazardous as there are often unexpected drops in the ocean floor that can take you from waist-deep water to over-your-head. No lifeguard service is provided.
Q.
Is there a swimming pool available?
A. Yes, our heated pool is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sundown.
Q.
Do you have a Jacuzzi/sauna/exercise room?
A. No, not at this time.
Q.
Can we have a bonfire on the beach at night?
A. There are no open fires allowed on Asilomar State Beach. If you would like to use Asilomar's campfire area, it is available for a fee, and wood is provided.
Q.
Can we hire a band to provide live music at our event?
A. Yes. However, quiet hours must be observed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and no amplified music is allowed outdoors.
Q.
Can I drive my car onto the Asilomar grounds?
A. Yes, and there is limited parking available for guests in designated areas. Parking for the disabled is also available.
Q.
Can I bring my bicycle with me?
A. Yes, there are bicycle racks located on the west side of the Administration Building, and adjacent to the campfire area. We recommend that you keep your bike securely locked whenever you are away from it. However, we ask that you do not bring your bicycle into your room, into any meeting rooms, or secure it to any light poles, sign poles, or any park feature.
Q.
Can I rent a bicycle?
A. We rent bicycles in our Park Store, $15 for 4 hours, $22 for a full day [8am - dusk]. For more informationon other activities in the area,
click here.
Q.
Where are the bicycle paths?
A. There are bicycle paths throughout the area. Click here for the map of the path.
Q.
What do you have for visitors who are hearing impaired?A. TDD machines are available for checkout at the Front Desk.
Q.
What additional services and accommodations are available for visitors with disabilities?
A. Parking for the disabled is available, and we have a limited number of rooms that provide various types of access for the disabled. Please contact the front desk or conference office, prior to arrival, to determine if your specific needs can be met.
Q.
Can I bring my pet?
A. Bringing a pet to Asilomar is not recommended. We do not permit pets overnight in any building, and we ask that no pets be left unattended in a closed vehicle overnight. However, "seeing-eye," "signal," and "service" dogs are permitted. Dogs, when not confined, must be on a leash no greater than 6 feet in length and under immediate control of a person. The exception to the leash requirement are the service dog listed above.
Q.
Are vegetarian meals available?
A. Yes, with advance notice, we can meet most special dietary requirements.
Q.
When is the Crocker Hall dining room open?
A. Crocker serves breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., and dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Q.
How does the dining service Crocker Hall?
A. If you are attending a conference, all of your meals are included, and your group's badge is your meal ticket. If you are not attending a conference, breakfast is the only meal that is included, but you may purchase a meal ticket for lunch and/or dinner at the Front Desk. All meals are chef's choice, family style, and buffet self-serve. Private dining and table service is available for an additional fee.
Q.
Is room service available to guests?
A. No. However, arrangements may be made to carry out meals from Crocker Dining Hall to be enjoyed on the grounds, beach, guest room, or meeting room.
Q.
Where can I go to get a good cup of coffee in the morning? How early?
A. The Park Store offers drip coffee and espresso-based coffee drinks from
6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.
Q.
When is the gift shop open?
A. The gift shop is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.
Q.
Do I have to share a room? Can I have a private room instead?
A. This depends on the conference you attend. There may only be shared rooms available. Of course, if you are not attending a conference you may have a private room based on availability.
Q.
Do the rooms have air-conditioning and heat?
A. Asilomar is located in an area that has a very mild weather pattern, so there is no need for air conditioning. Heat is regulated in the individual rooms by ventilators, radiators, or thermostats.
Q.
Is there a place where I can check my valuables?
A. Safe deposit boxes are provided in the Administration Building. However, under California Civil Code 1840, the Innkeeper assumes a maximum liability of $500 for any items under his safekeeping. We also recommend that you lock your windows and doors whenever you leave your room.
Q.
Where is the nearest public laundromat? Dry cleaners?
A. One-day dry cleaning service is available if items are brought to the front desk by 8:30 a.m. The closest laundromats are located in Pacific Grove: Fairway Wash & Dry, 1128 Forest Avenue; Isabella's Launderettes, 1219 Forest Avenue; Monterey Peninsula Launderettes, 511 Lighthouse Avenue; and Pacific Grove Coin Laundry, 709 Lighthouse Avenue.
Q.
Is babysitting available?
A. We can put you in touch with an outside service. Please call our group sales office at #831-642-4222..
Q.
Are there medical services available nearby?
A. The Emergency Room of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula is located on Highway 68 East near Highway 1. It is about a seven-minute drive from Asilomar.
Q.
What are check-in and check-out times?
A. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m., and check-out time is 12:00 noon.
Q.
Is the front desk open 24 hours? A. Yes, it is.
Q.
Do you have a business center?
A. We provide photocopying and faxing at the Front Desk, and there are two modem lines in the Administration Building. Free wireless internet access is also available in the Hearst Social Hall.
Q.
Where can I send or receive E-mail?
A. In the lobby of the Administration Building there are two telephone connections which you may use with your own laptop computer to connect to any toll-free number.
Q.
Where is the nearest post office?
A. The nearest post office is in downtown Pacific Grove at 680 Lighthouse Avenue on the corner of Congress Street. However, postage can be purchased and letters can be sent and received at the Front Desk in the Administration Building.
Q.
Where is the nearest bank? ATM machine?
A. There are several banks with ATMs in downtown Pacific Grove on Lighthouse Avenue and on Forest Avenue. We have an ATM available in the Hearst Social Hall.
Q.
Why aren’t there telephones or TVs in the guest rooms?
A. To preserve our long history as a rustic retreat with an atmosphere of peace and serenity that encourages learning and the productive use of personal time and meeting time, without everyday distractions.
Q.
How can I reach a hotel guest?
A. Telephone messages are delivered periodically to the guest's room, and fax services are available as well through the front desk. Emergency message service is available 24 hours a day.
Q.
Where can I get public transportation?A. There is a Monterey-Salinas Transit bus stop just outside the main gate to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Line #1 stops there about once per hour and goes into downtown Pacific Grove and Monterey. At the transit center in downtown
Monterey, you can connect to any of several buses that will take you to Carmel, Carmel Valley, Salinas, Seaside, Marina, and other areas. One-way fares to most areas are $1.50, however, for $3 you can have unlimited rides and transfers within those same areas. Detailed bus schedules are available on the bus, or you may call (831) 899-2555 for schedule information. Buses accommodate bicycles and have wheelchair access as well. For other types of transportation,
click here to see our list of car rental agencies and cab companies.
<rates subject to change>
Q.
Is there a shuttle to and from the airport?
A. There are privately owned airport limousine services and taxis available at the Monterey Peninsula Airport, and the Monterey-Salinas Transit bus system also services that airport. For more information, please
click here for a list of transportation services.
[link to our local attractions page which has the transportation listings]
Q.
Where is the Seventeen-Mile Drive?
A. One of the entrances to the scenic Seventeen-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach is only a few short blocks from Asilomar. Walk-ins and bicyclists enter free. The fee for drive-in entry is $7 per car, which is reimbursable if you eat at one of the Pebble Beach restaurants.
Q.
Where is the Monterey Bay Aquarium?
A. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is at 886 Cannery Row in Monterey near the border of Pacific Grove. It is about a five-minute drive from Asilomar.
Q.
What is the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary?
A.
Click here for more information.
Q.
Where can I go to play golf?A. The Monterey Peninsula is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world, many of which are within five miles of Asilomar.
Click here for a list of local attractions page and available gold courses.
Q.
What kinds of water sports and recreation are nearby?A. The Monterey Peninsula features many kinds of water activities, including diving, glass bottom boat harbor tours, whale watching expeditions, fishing and sailing charters, and kayaking. For more information,
click here.
Q.
Can I camp out at Asilomar?A. Sorry, no overnight camping is allowed at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. There are campgrounds throughout the Monterey area. For more information,
click here for a list of camping facilities.
Q.
Can I park my RV on the Asilomar grounds? A. Unfortunately, due to limited size parking spaces RV's are generally not allowed on the grounds.
Q.
What local tours are available in the area and where do we get them?
A. There are a variety of walking and driving tours on the Monterey Peninsula. For more information,
click here for a list of local tours.
Q.
Is there anyplace nearby where I can go fishing?
A. There are several fishing charters available in the Monterey area. For more information,
click here to obtain a list of local fishing charters.
Q.
Are there any local wineries to visit?
A. Yes. Monterey County is the fourth largest wine grape growing region in the world. For information on local wine tasting tours, please see our list of wineries. [link to our local attractions page which has the winery listings]
Q.
Can I go horseback riding on the beach?
A. Horseback riding on Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is not permitted. However, there are places to ride in nearby areas. For more information,
click here to obtain more informations about riding stables in the area.
Q.
Are there religious services available nearby?A. Yes. Pacific Grove has numerous churches of various denominations, and many beautiful churches and temples are located throughout the Monterey area. Visit this website for more information-->
http://www.mty.com/religion.html]
Q.
How close are the art galleries?
A. There are over 100 art galleries in the Monterey area, all within about a 10-mile radius of the Asilomar Conference Grounds.
Click here to obtain more information about local galleries.
Q.
Are there trails where I can walk, jog, or hike? A. There are several trails in Asilomar and the neighboring vicinity. For more information,
click here for a list of trails with maps.
