Pacific Grove

Travel Guide

Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove which includes rugged coastline
Pacific Grove featuring rugged coastline and a coastal town
Pacific Grove which includes shopping
Pacific Grove showing rugged coastline

Soak up the old-style charm of this small seaside city, which is famed for the monarch butterflies that stop here on their great migrations.

Visiting Pacific Grove is like taking a delightful step back in time. Once a summer retreat for church groups, today it still emanates a sense of tranquility. Victorian houses dot the 2.5-square-mile (6.5-square-kilometer) city, deer wander through the streets and, in fall, the skies fill with thousands of monarch butterflies. Amble along the pretty streets, walk along the seafront boulevard and search for wildlife in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Pacific Grove is best enjoyed on foot, so put on your most comfortable footwear and stroll in the sunshine. Walk along the 3-mile-long (5-kilometer) Ocean View Boulevard, a cliff-top promenade where you can spot plants and dozens of species of birds. Sit on one of the benches and enjoy the views of Monterey Bay. Spend some time in the pretty little Marine Gardens Park.

Walk to the end of the boulevard, marked by the Point Pinos LighthouseOpens in a new window. Famed as one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the country, it has guided ships to safety with its 50,000-candlepower beacon since the mid-1800s. Visit the interesting little museum inside the lighthouse.

Pacific Grove is perched on the edge of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a haven for wildlife and nature. Venture to Lovers PointOpens in a new window to glimpse sea otters diving for abalone. Go rock-pooling to spot crabs, starfish and limpets.

In autumn, the skies above Pacific Grove fill with tens of thousands of orange-and-black monarch butterflies as they pass through on one of the world’s most astounding migrations. See them hanging in great bunches from eucalyptus trees in Monarch Grove Sanctuary and George Washington Park. To learn more about the region’s nature, visit the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

Pacific Grove is 42 miles (67 kilometers) south of Santa CruzOpens in a new window and 113 miles (181 kilometers) south of San FranciscoOpens in a new window. Navigate this tiny city easily on foot or by bicycle.

Sea Breeze Inn And Cottages
Sea Breeze Inn And Cottages
2.5 out of 5
1100 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA
The price is CA $160 per night from May 13 to May 14
CA $160
CA $190 total
May 13 - May 14
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf motel in Pacific Grove. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and cable TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"We enjoyed the quaintness of the property. It’s old, but decently clean. It is a close drive to everything. Loved the quiet location"

Reviewed on May 10, 2025

Sea Breeze Inn And Cottages
Lovers Point Inn
Lovers Point Inn
2 out of 5
625 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA
The price is CA $208 per night from May 13 to May 14
CA $208
CA $236 total
May 13 - May 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Pacific Grove. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,022 reviews)
"Would love to visit again. Thank You"

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

Lovers Point Inn
Asilomar Conference Grounds
Asilomar Conference Grounds
2 out of 5
800 Asilomar Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA
The price is CA $174 per night from May 18 to May 19
CA $174
CA $218 total
May 18 - May 19
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Pacific Grove. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"It is soquite and beautiful"

Reviewed on May 8, 2025

Asilomar Conference Grounds
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Oceanview Designer Beach House 2 Free Movie Passes license #0366
Oceanview Designer Beach House 2 Free Movie Passes license #0366
Pacific Grove
Book a stay at this beach condo in Pacific Grove. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and patios. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lovers Point are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (221 reviews)
Great location, great facilities
"A wonderful place, home from home.Walking distance to the Aquarium, swimming beach, downtown Pacific Grove.Spacious private covered parking space.Very well equipped. Highly recommend it."

Reviewed on Apr. 18, 2025

Oceanview Designer Beach House 2 Free Movie Passes license #0366
Oceanfront Home with Spectacular Views on Monterey Bay.
Oceanfront Home with Spectacular Views on Monterey Bay.
Pacific Grove
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Pacific Grove. Enjoy a beach locale, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium ...
Excellent
"This is our third stay at this beautiful location. Right by the water and close to all the restaurants and beaches. We took long walks each morning and evening and there was plenty of room for family game night. Looking forward to or next stay"

Reviewed on Apr. 21, 2025

Oceanfront Home with Spectacular Views on Monterey Bay.
PARTIAL OCEAN VIEW - WALK TO OCEAN - KING BEDROOM
PARTIAL OCEAN VIEW - WALK TO OCEAN - KING BEDROOM
PACIFIC GROVE
Stay at this vacation home in Pacific Grove. Enjoy an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lovers Point are located nearby.
Valentine’s Retreat
"Beautiful Oceanside inn with ease of access to Lovers Point and great eateries"

Reviewed on Feb. 16, 2025

PARTIAL OCEAN VIEW - WALK TO OCEAN - KING BEDROOM
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Pacific Grove

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
9
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I would live there in a heartbeat if I had the money. So charming.

5/5 - Excellent

Erika

This Best Western is right next to Asilomar which will take you right to the beach. Fantastic area to explore!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love the Lighthouse restaurant, my whole family enjoyed the dinner. Beautiful surrounding view.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Unique area and lovely walking trails along the ocean! That's what we came here for!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Small town feel, people very friendly, quaint downtown and turn of the century houses. The walk along Oceanview to see the bay was beautiful as was the aquarium.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place and may stay few extra days next time

Cities near Pacific Grove