Asilomar Conference Grounds Warnecke Historic District
Why it's listed
Asilomar Conference Grounds occupies a seaside site among dunes and Monterey pines in Pacific Grove. The Young Women's Christian Association established it in 1913 as its national camp and conference center in the West, on land donated through the efforts of Phoebe Apperson Hearst. Architect Julia Morgan designed every historic building, working on the grounds from 1913 to 1928. The 11 surviving buildings, stone entrance gates and winding road plan use redwood shingles, split logs and rough granite in a rustic Craftsman manner meant to fit the landscape. The focal point is a circle surrounded by the Administration Building, Chapel and Crocker Dining Hall. Merrill Hall, built to seat 1,000, was once the largest auditorium on the Monterey peninsula. The YWCA sold the property to the State of California in 1956, and later conference buildings stand outside the historic core. The grounds are valued for their place in women's recreation and leadership programs and as Morgan's most celebrated Craftsman complex.
Significance in brief: The grounds are significant for their role in the YWCA's work, which pioneered recreation and leadership training for young women, and for the development of the Monterey peninsula as a resort area. They are also an outstanding example of Julia Morgan's rustic Craftsman style. Morgan was one of the first women to achieve eminence in American architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 100008261, listed October 11, 2022. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 800 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove |
|---|---|
| County | Monterey County |
| Listed | October 11, 2022 |
| Reference number | 100008261 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1913-36 |
| Architect / builder | Julia Morgan |
| Architectural style | Rustic "Craftsman" |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 27, 1987 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in use as a conference center owned by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Some buildings are altered, Scripps Lodge needs restoration, and the Hilltop garden has deteriorated. |
| Acreage | 59.6 |
| Coordinates | 36.36897, -121.56155 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 100008261.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.