Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/506796
Asilomar Access: All along Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove The word Asilomar means "refuge by the sea." Because it encompasses its own Marine Reserve and Natural Dunes Preserve, it is among the most pristine stretches of shoreline in the region. Surfers flock to the waves at the southern end of this beach and the adjacent Spanish Bay while kids fly kites and play on the sand. A well-maintained boardwalk meanders through native dune plantings, leading to tide pools full of interesting creatures. This is proba- bly one of the best places on the Peninsula to enjoy a sunset and hundreds of people flock here to catch a glimpse of the elusive "green flash" that signifies the end of the day. Lovers Point Access: Parking at the foot of Pacific Grove's 17th Street Lovers of Jesus Point, now shortened to just Lovers Point, boasts a sublime crescent of sandy beach that attracts surfers, kayakers, scuba divers, snorkelers, swimmers, picnickers, sun- bathers and volleyball enthusiasts. The inviting grassy lea above is a popular spot for casual weddings, family reunions and impromptu Frisbee tosses. This has been a favorite destination for Peninsulans since the late 1800s, when Pacific Grove was the site of Methodist Church sum- mer retreats. For many decades, glass bottom boats offered visitors breathtaking views of the colorful creatures that inhabit the seafloor amid the kelp beds of the cove just east of the beach. After a few years of lying fallow, new tenants have opened a restaurant, The Beach House in the landmark building overlooking the waters of Lovers Point. 120 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 ASILOMAR BEACH Photo: Kelli Uldall