Pacific Grove in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Balance Lost and Found Again
Asilomar Conference Center
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2011
1. Balance Lost and Found Again Marker
Decades of logging, grazing, recreation, and foot traffic brought Asilomar's dune ecosystem to the brink of extinction. When the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) established the Asilomar summer camp grounds in 1913, the dunes became a recreation area.
By the time California State Parks acquired Asilomar in 1956, the dunes were crisscrossed with walking paths. Foot traffic damaged remaining native vegetation, weakened the towering dunes, and permitted the sand to blow away.
In 1984, California State Parks embarked on a dune restoration project. This required removal of non-native plants, propagation of plants genetically native to Asilomar's dunes, and construction of a boardwalk to provide a pathway through this fragile ecosystem.
Today, the dunes have been returned to a near pristine state with native plants and animals. Dunes Natural Preserve status protects Asilomar's dunes for the future.
Boardwalk Brings Balance
The boardwalk creates a balance by providing us access while protecting the dunes. Wildlife is not disturbed and native plants remain untrampled for future visitors to enjoy.
Benefits of Dune Restoration
Prevents sand from blowing away
Protects endangered species.
Provides habitat for native wildlife
Restores the
this page online
Erected by California State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 36° 37.148′ N, 121° 56.339′ W. Marker is in Pacific Grove, California, in Monterey County. It can be reached from Asilomar Avenue. The marker is located on the grounds of Asilomar State Park and is along the boardwalk connecting the conference grounds to the beach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 800 Asilomar Boulevard, Pacific Grove CA 93950, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast and specifically on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Gipsy (approx. one mile away); Point Pinos Lighthouse Oil House (approx. one mile away); Gosby House Inn (approx. 1.1 miles away); Frank L. Buck House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Centrella Hotel (approx. 1.2 miles away); Chautauqua Hall (approx. 1.2 miles away); Point Joe (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pacific Grove.
More about this marker. "Julia Morgan designed and built 16 of the buildings on the property, of
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2011
2. Balance Lost and Found Again Marker
Also see . . .
1. Asilomar Conference Center. Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on July 10, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Asilomar Confernce Grounds. Visit Asilomar website entry (Submitted on March 16, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2011
3. Dunes at Asilomar
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2011
4. Boardwalk Across the Asilomar Dunes
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2011
5. End of Boardwalk at Sunset Drive
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
6. National Historic Landmark
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
7. The Asilomar Dining Hall
Designed by Julia Morgan.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
8. The Asilomar Chapel
Designed by Julia Morgan.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
9. Hearst Social Hall
Designed by Julia Morgan.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
10. Interior of the Hearst Social Hall
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 25, 2013
11. Julia Morgan Plaque
Julia Morgan, 1877 1957, Architect and Engineer, Designer of the Plan for Asilomar, 1913 1928. Builder of Gateway Administration Building Chapel - Auditorium Lodges Dining Hall and all early structures.
Sing o heavens and be joyful o earth and break forth into singing o mountains Isaiah 49:13
Sing o heavens and be joyful o earth and break forth into singing o mountains Isaiah 49:13
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,123 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 11, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 16, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
