Asilomar State Beach (Moss beach)

Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand located on California’s Monterey Peninsula. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and tidepooling. The beach is also home to the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a historic resort and conference center. 

The one-mile long beach that is made up of both sandy areas and rocky coves and forms part of the Asilomar State Marine Reserve. This means that there are special rules in place to protect the marine life in the area, for example, fishing is prohibited in the marine reserve.

As you’d imagine this is a great spot for wildlife. In addition to some great tidepools there is plenty of local birdlife to be spotted; California gulls, American Crows, Piping Plovers, and more.

Beyond the beach there is a picnic area shaded by pines, creating the perfect spot to grab lunch. Later in the day visitors can also take in the majestic views of sunset, which is particularly stunning in this part of California.