History of Asilomar

Asilomar Origins

"Asilomar so lovely, down by the edge of the sea, where the pine trees tall and stately,
 and the sand dunes call to me."                                                                                        ---Asilomar Camp Song

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall, Asilomar Social Hall designed by Julia Morgan for the YWCA in 1913.  Copyright, CA State Parks

Asilomar's Beginnings
Located on the Monterey Peninsula in the city of Pacific Grove, Asilomar was established in 1913 as a young womens' summer camp and conference facility, achieving YWCA's (Young Women's Christian Association's) inspired vision to support the intellectual, moral, spiritual, social and physical health of young women with a permanent facility. The historic buildings, which are still an integral part of the Asilomar grounds and ongoing conference services, were designed and built by California's first licensed female architect, Julia Morgan. 

Between 1913 and 1928, Julia Morgan designed more the twenty-five buildings for Asilomar including garages and utility buildigs. Today, eleven of these buildings survive, many of which still serve the purposes for which they were originally built -- conferences, social gatherings and lodging. Guided and self-guided tour options are available and detail Asilomar's historical significance.

Historic Julia Morgan Buildings Standing

1913 - Phoebe Apperson Hearst Social Hall 

1915 - Grace Dodge Chapel Auditorium 

1915 - Visitor's Lodge

1918 - Mary Ann Crocker Dining Hall 

1918 - Stuck-Up Inn 

1918 - Health Cottage (now Viewpoint)

1923 - Pirate's Den 

1927 - Scripps Lodge-Annex

1927 - Diractor's Cottage 

1928 - Mary S. Merrill Recreation Auditorium 

Engineer's Cottage (Construction year unknown) 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asilomar Campers, c. 1916. Copyright CA State Parks

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