Overview
Pacific Grove is in Monterey County in the Central Coast region of California. It is next to the Pacific Ocean on Monterey Bay just west of the city of Monterey. Popular for its quaint, small-town charm the town reputedly has more Victorian homes per capita than anywhere else in America. Pacific Grove is also the wintering-over spot for thousands of Monarch butterflies, from which its nickname, "Butterfly Town, U.S.A.," is derived.
5 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
A museum dedicated to the natural history of the Monterey Bay area, with many exhibits geared toward children.
Point Pinos Lighthouse
The oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast, having begun operating in 1855. The lighthouse/museum/giftshop are closed due to COVID, but the grounds/gardens are open whenever there are docents available…
Lover's Point Park
Public park and beach.
17-Mile Drive
Drive or bicycle along this spectacular route. The northern end is in Pacific Grove and it runs through the gated community of Pebble Beach. The road winds through miles of breathtaking coastal views, with turnouts along…
Asilomar State Beach
A one-mile strip of sand and rocky coves, this beach offers a 0.75-mile-long (1.2 km) walking trail, with tide pools that can be explored. Across the street, a boardwalk leads through the Asilomar Dunes, a restored area …
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
One of the most popular resting spots for Monarch butterflies in the winter half of their migration pattern. Thousands settle there from October to March. They may look like dead leaves until you look closer. Bring binoc…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Nov. Summer highs reach about 68°F; winter lows dip to about 43°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Monterey)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MRY Monterey Regional Airport, Monterey — 5 mi away. Directions
- SJC Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Jose — 51 mi away (major hub). Directions
Access to Pacific Grove is via Monterey or Carmel. Take Monterey-Salinas Transit bus route 1, 1x or 2 from Monterey. Pacific Grove is a short, ten-minute taxi ride from Monterey Peninsula Airport (see Monterey).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$125 a night (typical $100), from 6 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $28 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$150, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$330.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, Lover's Point Park, Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
- Lunch il vecchio
- Afternoon Asilomar State Beach, Point Pinos Lighthouse
- Dinner Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar
Day 2
- Morning 17-Mile Drive
- Lunch Pepper's Mexicali Cafe
- Afternoon Jameson Classic Motorcycle Museum
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The first European to land in Pacific Grove was Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo, in 1542. The first settlement in the area, however, was in 1855, when the Point Pinos Lighthouse began operation. It still stands and is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Lighthouse Road, one of the two main streets in Pacific Grove, was constructed to bring supplies from Monterey to Point Pinos.
Many Chinese immigrants settled near the shore beginning in 1863, forming a "Chinatown." Most worked as fishermen out of the harbor in Monterey.
The bulk of Pacific Grove was initially a summer Methodist camp. Worshippers each had a plot of land on which they erected tents. Over time, they began erecting more permanent structures, and some relocated to the area. Most of the structures in Pacific Grove date to the Victorian era, and many are small, dollhouse-like homes. Until 1890, there was a fence around Pacific Grove, providing a visual border between this small religious community and its neighbors.
Visitor information
Get in
Access to Pacific Grove is via Monterey or Carmel. Take Monterey-Salinas Transit bus route 1, 1x or 2 from Monterey. Pacific Grove is a short, ten-minute taxi ride from Monterey Peninsula Airport (see Monterey).
Get around
Pacific Grove is a small town, and much of it can be seen on foot or by bicycle. Local buses from Monterey-Salinas Transit are a convenient way to travel to Monterey and elsewhere on the Peninsula, although all connections are via downtown Monterey.
See
Do
Do 17-Mile Drive
Drive or bicycle along this spectacular route. The northern end is in Pacific Grove and it runs through the gated community of Pebble Beach. The road winds through miles of breathtaking coastal views, with turnouts along the way at the most historical and picturesque sites, including the iconic Lone Cypress tree and the Pebble Beach golf course lodge. The entrance fee provides a map, as well as the rights to gawk at the lavish homes within the gated community. Motorcycles are not permitted.
Do Asilomar State Beach
A one-mile strip of sand and rocky coves, this beach offers a 0.75-mile-long (1.2 km) walking trail, with tide pools that can be explored. Across the street, a boardwalk leads through the Asilomar Dunes, a restored area of sand dunes. Upwelling of frigid waters from the undersea Monterey Canyon makes this area far too cold for swimming, but it is popular with scuba divers and snorkelers due to the huge variety of marine life.
Do Ocean View Boulevard & Sunset Drive
Ocean View Boulevard and Sunset Drive run along the coastline, offering access to a spectacular landscape. The area is strewn with tide pools, and sea otters, seals and sea lions are often seen in the waters; whales may be sighted by those who are lucky. A bike path runs along much of the route making it an excellent place to bike or hike.
Eat
Eat Mezzaluna Pasteria & Mozzarella Bar
Gnocchi and other foo-foo fare.
Eat Pepper's Mexicali Cafe
Off of the main road through downtown Pacific Grove, Pepper's offers fantastic Mexicali cuisine, especially their seafood dishes, and is one of the best spots to go to for lunch.
Eat il vecchio
Casual Italian eatery design with reclaimed wood giving it a homely feel. Decent portions, many small plates, house made pasta and desserts. Wine on tap and Italian apertif are a speciality. Make a reservation on the weekends!
Sleep
Go next
- Monterey - Pacific Grove's neighbor to the east, Monterey was founded in 1770 and served as the capital of Alta California under both Spain and Mexico, was a bustling fishing port until the 1950s, and is now a major tourist destination. Attractions include a pier filled with seafood restaurants, a world-class aquarium, a harbor that is home to an enormous number of seabirds, sea lions, sea otters, seals, and other marine life, the historic Cannery Row, and opportunities for whale watching, kayaking, or other excursions into Monterey Bay.
- Carmel - 6 miles (10 km) to the south, Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-mile (25-km) drive and its dramatic ocean views.
Nearby
Monterey
City / town · 66 listings · 3 mi away
Seaside
City / town · 8 listings · 4 mi away
Carmel Point
City / town · 37 listings · 5 mi away
Carmel
City / town · 48 listings · 5 mi away
Marina
City / town · 9 listings · 8 mi away
Carmel Valley
City / town · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Moss Landing
City / town · 11 listings · 15 mi away
Salinas
City / town · 36 listings · 15 mi away
My experience
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