Asilomar State Beach is the romantic beach. It's very narrow sand shelf extends approx. a mile. If you think romance, nearby Lover's Point is nice, but we like Asilomar even better.

Asilomar State Beach is a mile long, stretch of sandy beach and rocky coves in the city of Pacific Grove. Located in the Monterey Bay Area, home to the famous Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, this refuge by the sea is part of the Pacific Grove Fish Garden Refuge and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Almost a no-fail zone for shooting photographs, Asilomar at sunset offers those perfect star images that break and filter the sunlight as it hits the rocks, then drops from the sky. While some find Lover's Point the preferred beach choice, Asilomar has all the romance one could desire. This refuge by the sea is close to numerous hotels and inns, but one local favorite that's been around and has celebrated over 50 years at the Monterey Bay is Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Asilomar State Beach also includes Asilomar Conference Grounds hotel with 107 acres, overnight lodging and views of the forest, surf and sand. The beach features a 0.75 mile walking trail for pedestrians. Bicycle riding is allowed on the paved road bike lane in close proximity to the trail. There are no restrooms or picnicking facilities at the state beach. Parking is available on Sunset Drive, the city street that runs parallel to the state beach. Dogs are permitted on the state beach but must be leashed at all times and in the immediate control. A boardwalk across the sand dunes gives access to the Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Many people love staying at the rustic, yet comfortable Asilomar hotel. We've tried several hotels around there and also like the Lighthouse Lodge, where, like the Asilomar Conference Grounds, you can watch the deer roam and chew on the grass in the morning, noon and night. The hungry critters are slightly shy, but if you don't spook them, you can stand and watch them (as they watch you).

What we love about this location (Asilomar beach) are the sunsets. The neighborhoods are so peaceful, you can wander down from your hotel room and catch the glowing orb drop into the Pacific Ocean behind the rocks that frame Asilomar State Beach. It is so magical...it puts fairy dust in your night so that you return to your hotel room and sleep like a child.

Operated under the California State Parks system, you can find more information at parks.ca.gov