Summer evenings on the Monterey Peninsula are more likely to summon up a hot toddy by the fireplace than they are a generously salted margarita enjoyed outdoors. Good news is that Asilomar’s Phoebe Hearst Social Hall invites you to partake in either or both – whether it’s a foggy or a sunny day, this rustic and inviting lodge, designed in 1913 by architect Julia Morgan, encourages you to linger. (It’s at a state park, and you do not need to be a hotel guest or conference attendee. “We want locals to know, it’s OK to come here, and take advantage of the view,” says Food & Beverage Manager Edwin Garcia.)
Offerings at Phoebe’s Cafe are standard Aramark fare, but for about a year, a proper bar has unfurled in the lobby three nights a week for a beverage and vibe upgrade. There’s live music (outdoors on summer Fridays until Aug. 29) but it’s the friendly service and made-to-order drinks that truly beckon. Margaritas and Old Fashioneds are the most popular signature drinks, for good reason – the margarita is strong but pleasantly drinkable, heavy on citrus. On a rare warm and sunny day, any of them – or maybe a bottle of Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc – are best enjoyed in an Adirondack chair on the stone deck, with views of the ocean and the sand dunes through the trees. You can walk it off on the trail through said dunes after your drink.