The Asilomar Conference Grounds Warnecke Historic District

Architect: John Carl Warnecke & Associates
Landscape Architect: Michael Painter
Photographers: Morley Baer, Joshua Freiwald, Lou Dandelet,
& B. Kenneth Roberts
Dates: 1959-1968

The Asilomar Conference Grounds sits at the western edge of the City of Pacific Grove, California. The grounds consist of twenty-two buildings and associated landscape features designed by Warnecke after the State of California acquired the property in 1956.

Originally a YWCA camp designed by Julia Morgan, Asilomar’s initial stage of development was between 1913 and 1928. It was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 1987 for its association with YWCA history and as an important work of a Master Architect. Warnecke created a master plan in order to expand the original site and make it more automobile-accessible, harmonizing with both the natural environment and the older buildings. The district is an exceptional example of the contextualism that became a defining feature of Warnecke’s early career. His designs were constructed between 1959 and 1968 and include four complexes that combine lodging buildings with meeting-space buildings- the Surf and Sand, Sea Galaxy, Long View, and View Crescent complexes. He also designed service buildings for housekeeping and facilities maintenance, as well as additions to Julia Morgan’s dining room and kitchen.

The conference’s grounds are currently up for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places on August 5th, 2022 at the California State Historical Resources Commission meeting. See link in bio for more info.