EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS 2026 -- The PLACE

This is the third year I have taught at Empty Spools Seminars and each time I love it more.

Located at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Groves, CA, it is a magical place. Rustic, wild, beautiful, historic. So many words could describe this place. Bring together 11 teachers with creative classes involving quilting in so many forms and you have the perfect atmosphere for creativity to blossom and grow for almost 200 students. And this happens 5 times a year!

Just a glimpse of the PLACE:

Boardwalks along the beach--my happy place

Merrill Hall, historic early 1900's building--Empty Spools main meeting space

Beautiful pathways make walking fun

Educational signs around the 110 acre campus

Scenes around the campus

I walk to the beach every day

Early morning

The stairs to my room

The main entrance

The Social Hall with a huge fireplace, cozy chairs, two pool tables, Phoebe's Cafe and a Gift shop

An 1890's piano--the sign says "Be Gentle"

Signs around campus help you find your way

                                                        

I walked up these rocks one day leaving the beach

"My tree" outside my bedroom window

Sunset

WILDLIFE:

Deer are all over the property, I saw them early morning and late afternoon

Sea Creatures, related to Portuguese Man of War--very squishy to walk on, an unusual sight, a few days later they were gone

One of two wild turkeys I saw sauntering by

I also saw brown squirrels, bunnies, geckos, English Bluebirds, a Red Headed Woodpecker, and lots of sea birds.

LODGING:

First built in 1910 as a YWCA camp, some of the buildings are historic. The architect was Julia Morgan, first woman architect in California, who later went on to design Hearst Castle. The lodging is in many buildings scattered all over the property, nestled into the pine forest. 

The accommodations are "rustic" and simple. No TV, wifi is spotty, AC and heat might be iffy. The rooms are clean and there is little reason to be in your room except to sleep. The shower is strong and the water is hot. There is a small refrigerator in my room, which I didn't need. I love my room and ask for it every year.

MEALS: 

I call this Camp Dining Hall food for grownups. There are always vegan and gluten free options for those who need that. Portions are generous. I didn't have anything I didn't like. At home I don't eat dessert very often--here I ate it at every meal. 

Any meal I don't have to plan, shop for, prepare, serve and clean up after is a GOOD MEAL for me:

Lasagna, garlic bread, salad, cookies

Grilled salmon, baked potato, broccoli, salad and cake

My usual breakfast with a small Danish 

Roast turkey, potatoes, carrots, salad, cake

Delicious meatloaf, brown rice, veggies, salad, cake

Prime rib, scalloped potatoes, salad, apple cobbler

The property is hilly and I walk a good bit from my room to the Dining Hall then over to my classroom. Each morning I get in a 45-60 minute power walk from 5:30-6:30 am.  Even eating like this I was only up 2 pounds for the 8 day trip. The second day at home they were gone and I'm back to my usual smart eating plan.

Asilomar Conference Center is part of the California State Park system. You can find much more information and photos online.   VISIT ASILOMAR

Next week I will talk about the PEOPLE! The best part of Empty Spools Seminars is the relationships built here.

Let's quilt.

Barbara