Asilomar State Beach - Pacific Grove (CA)

Anna A Great local art museum. It is not big, you can probably spend 1-1.5 hours here. They show 3-4 exhibitions at any given time. The permanent collection is big, but only some of it is on display usually as a part of some exhibit. The exhibits change every 3-4 months, so you can visit it every 3 months and see new art.

Alexey Anoshko A good moment to the memory of divers

Gary Standke Free to visit with free parking nearby. Pretty tree, but nothing special.

Felicia Asuncion Starting the 17-mile drive tour here was the best decision. With breathtaking scenery and lots of chances for great pictures.

Kennedy Rivera Went and most of the area was closed for the nesting birds (which is great!) so we went just to the side of it and had a great tidepooling trip!

Sandeepa Dey We visited the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, one of the original 21 Spanish missions established in California. While much of it has been thoughtfully restored, the original bell tower and bell have been beautifully preserved. The chapel is serene and artistically stunning, featuring an extraordinarily detailed nativity scene. A corridor from the chapel leads to a spacious, open courtyard surrounded by historic quarters—likely once inhabited by the Spanish settlers. Part of these quarters has been transformed into a museum that offers a glimpse into the mission’s rich history. Visitors can tour through recreated rooms, including a library, kitchen, dining room, reading room, guest room, and the padres bedroom. The mission offers convenient amenities, including a parking lot and clean restrooms, and is located close to downtown Carmel and many great restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for tourists, with plenty to explore in just 1–2 hours.

jiggbury Really relaxing area!!

Terrie Snell This place is Amazing!! It is absolutely beautiful. It is so neat and clean. The exhibits are very impressive. The vibrant colors of some are awe-inspiring. There is definitely plenty to see and do. All of the children that I observed seemed to be really enjoying themselves. I definitely will be back!

Erica Best tour we had for a while! Loved it so much! I think you shall start your trip with this walk if possible. We were feeling sad on our tour of the town this morning seeing all the national chained brand stores everywhere and very few local stores on ocean avenue. However, my view has changed after this tour - the rich history and culture stories brought all the charms of the town together. Our tour guide Gael was amazing - funny and knowledgeable! She’s a true local and knows the town throughout. Highly recommend!

Brian Weber The Pacific House Museum is a hidden gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into California’s history. The well preserved adobe structure transported me back to the early days of Monterey’s development. What I loved most about the museum was its well-curated exhibits, which showcase everything from the Native American cultures that first inhabited the region to Monterey’s role as California’s first capital. The displays are well organized, making it easy to follow the timeline of events and understand their significance.