The winning entry was submitted by Helen Salisbury, a Stanford University student, who created a portmanteau from the Spanish words asilo ("refuge") and mar ("sea").

In early 1913, it was announced that Julia Morgan, then engaged with the Oakland YWCA building, would also design the new Asilomar campgrounds in the Arts & Crafts style.

Several other prominent California women including Ellen Browning Scripps, Mrs. Warren Olney Jr. and Mary Sroufe Merrill were involved in the creation of the retreat.

[7] In 1956, the State of California acquired Asilomar, and architect John Carl Warnecke was commissioned to design seven additional buildings to expand the grounds.

[8] Asilomar was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its role in women's recreation, the development of the YWCA, and the resort heritage of nearby Monterey, California.