Asilomar
- Shortboard, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed, Ocean
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Asilomar is an exposed beach-and-reef surf spot on the Monterey Peninsula, known for consistent waves that can be surfed year-round. The coastline is rugged and the nearshore zone includes rocks and kelp, so conditions that look inviting can still be hazardous close to the waterline. Wave quality and ride length vary with swell size, but the spot can produce punchy waves with short-to-medium rides and mixed left/right options. On larger swells it can hold size up to double overhead, and the risk of closeouts increases—especially when the swell gets heavy—making it more demanding for less experienced surfers. Wind strongly affects outcomes because the break is exposed. Southeast winds are described as best (offshore), while northwest onshore winds are more likely to create choppy conditions. In general, the area’s afternoon thermal gradient can strengthen the prevailing winds, so planning around wind direction is important. Safety planning is essential: rocks, thick kelp, and rip currents are recurring hazards, and sharks are specifically noted. The water is cold year-round, and a full wetsuit is strongly recommended; follow marine reserve rules (including no harvesting) and do not bring dogs onto the beach.
- Exposed but consistent beach-and-reef break
- Often works across tides, with mid-tide frequently most functional
- Southeast offshore winds are favored for cleaner surf
- Consistent beach/reef surf that can work year-round
- Accessible sandy launch area with generally easy to moderate access
- Works across tides, with mid-tide often most functional
- Exposed, wind-sensitive surf conditions
- Rocks and thick kelp near shore increase hazard risk
- Strong rip currents are common, especially on larger swells
- Can close out and become heavy/disorganized when swell is large
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE
- Offshore directions
- SE
- No-go directions
- N, NE, E, ENE, NNE, WNW, NW, NNW, W, WSW, WNW, SSE, SSW, SW, SE, S
- Wind Range
- 10–20 kts
- Wind Type
- Sea breeze — Afternoon sea-breeze/thermal gradient pattern typical for the area; on/offshore depends on direction.
- Reliability
- fair
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
- Shadow Zones
- Southern end can be partially sheltered by the peninsula’s topography.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy stretches with rocky outcrops at either end.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Small — Reported as small to medium depending on swell; can scale to double overhead on bigger days.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach access; rocky outcrops at either end.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Generally easy sandy launch; described as moderate difficulty due to nearby rocks/kelp.
Through the year
Consistent crowds year-round; weekends and summer months are busiest.
December to March typically sees the most rainfall and stormy ocean conditions.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed beach and reef break with consistent surf that can work year-round. Waves break both left and right; reef-influenced peaks are offshore at times. Conditions are typically most manageable around mid-tide; on larger swells it can become heavy and disorganized with frequent closeouts.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W
- Swell Height
- 0.6–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — General availability all tides, with mid-tide often the most functional for ride consistency.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open/exposed coastline.
- Wind Effect
- Exposed and wind-sensitive; southeast winds are best (offshore). Winds from the east and northeast tend to give cleaner offshore conditions, while northwest winds are onshore and choppy.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size up to double overhead; larger days become for more advanced surfers and can feature heavy, disorganized closeouts (especially when swell exceeds ~3 meters).
- Wave Quality
- Average — Good to average quality depending on swell and wind; can be disorganized/heavy when swell exceeds about 3 meters.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Waves are generally punchy and short; can close out on larger swells.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–80 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typical ride length reported as about 30–80 meters; generally shorter and punchier on many days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Asilomar in the full forecast view.
Asilomar wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 17 kts
- Direction
- NW320°
- Strongest day
- Mon, Oct 2611 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.1–2.4 m9s period
- Temperature
- 11–20 °C
Over the next 7 days, Asilomar is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 17 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 1.1–2.4 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- rocks
- sharks
- Great White Sharks
- strong rip currents are common, especially with larger swells
- thick kelp
- heavy shorebreak
- submerged rocks
- dense kelp forests near the shore
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited for this spot; emergency services are handled locally with 911 and nearby hospital access.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest hospital listed: Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP). In emergencies, call 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild
Rules of the spot
Located within the Asilomar State Marine Reserve; no harvesting of any marine life. No dogs on the beach.
- No dogs on the beach
- Marine life protection rules (no harvesting)
- Beginners should stay away when waves are large.
- Watch for submerged rocks at the north end near the point.
- Waves often close out at low tide; mid-tide is usually the most functional.
- In very exposed conditions, any wind can degrade surf quality.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Pacific Grove
- Nearest Town
- Pacific Grove
- Parking
- Parking available near the beach; free street parking along Sunset Drive can fill up quickly on weekends.
- Access
- Located on the coastal drive south from Cannery Row in Pacific Grove with visible signage; public access via Sunset Drive with boardwalks leading to the beach.
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — High availability across Pacific Grove and Monterey, including Asilomar Conference Grounds and hotels in Pacific Grove.
- Food & Drink
- Several cafes and restaurants are located within a short drive in downtown Pacific Grove.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental shops are available in nearby Monterey and downtown Pacific Grove.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Asilomar?
The best overall months at Asilomar are January, December, November. The best wind months are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Asilomar?
Asilomar works with SE winds. Offshore directions are SE. No-go directions are N, NE, E, ENE, NNE, WNW, NW, NNW, W, WSW, WNW, SSE, SSW, SW, SE, S.
What skill level is Asilomar suitable for?
Asilomar suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.