Holding the pace... 

... crossing Asilomar State Beach.

Asilomar State Beach is a narrow one-mile strip of sandy beach and rocky coves. It is within the boundary of Asilomar Marine Reserve. Across from Asilomar State Beach is the Asilomar Natural Dune Preserve. One of Asilomar’s landmark stiles stands at the gateway to this preserve. A ¼ mile boardwalk meanders through the 25 acres of restored sand dune ecosystem. Discover the native plant greenhouse where more than 450,000 plants, representing 25 species have been grown and planted in the dunes and coastal bluffs.The boardwalk also leads park visitors to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Asilomar originated as a woman’s summer camp and conference facility out of the inspired vision of a handful of resourceful, socially-concerned and committed women of the YWCA in 1913. Its historic buildings were designed by California architect Julia Morgan. It has been owned and operated by State Parks since 1956. (This is the place I stayed with my sister and her family).