Phoebe Hearst Social Hall, Asilomar Conference Grounds
800 Asilomar Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 372-8016, visitasilomar.com
One of the nicest things in life is curling up on a comfy couch near a roaring fire with a good hot cup of cocoa or a glass of wine. Our favorite place to relax and luxuriate is the Phoebe Hearst Social Hall on the Asilomar Conference Grounds, or as we like to call it, the Public’s Living Room. (Parking is free – or on the street if there are a lot of conferences happening – and there’s no entrance fee.) Designed by architect Julia Morgan and built in 1913, it’s a beautiful Arts and Crafts style building and decorated in the same style of the period, including great examples of Mission-style furniture and rugs. The focal point is the large granite stone fireplace. There are pool tables, board games, puzzles, a piano and books. We like to pick up a beverage in Phoebe’s Cafe, then relax by the fire, or on a nice day sit out on the deck facing the dunes and the ocean beyond.