Pacific Grove City
California coastal town famed for Monarch butterfly sanctuary
A Pacific Coast town hugged by rocky cliffs, Pacific Grove draws monarch butterflies in autumn, Victorian cottages, seafood shacks, and coastal trails. Visitors walk Asilomar, watch migrating whales, and visit Monterey's aquarium or Cannery Row.
Pacific Grove at a Glance#
Costs: Expensive - $150-250+/day - typical California coastal prices; lodging and dining tend to be premium.
Safety: Very safe and visitor-friendly - very safe coastal town with friendly neighborhoods and responsive emergency services.
Best Time: September-October (best weather) - late summer and early fall deliver the clearest, warmest weather on the Monterey Peninsula.
Why Visit Pacific Grove?#
Rocky coves, white-sand shorelines and a famous monarch butterfly refuge draw nature lovers to Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. Lovers Point Park and the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse give easy coastal access, while nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium and 17-Mile Drive provide memorable day trips. Quaint Victorian cottages and seafood shacks round out the town’s calming seaside character and tidepool walks.
Best Things to Do in Pacific Grove#
Pacific Grove Bucket List#
Asilomar State Beach - Walk rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and coastal dunes with scenic ocean views.
Lovers Point Park - Popular park for picnics, tidepooling, kayaking, and easy shoreline walks.
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History - Exhibits on local ecology, marine life, and Monterey Bay natural history.
Butterfly sanctuary - Small year-round sanctuary protecting overwintering monarch butterflies in local groves.
Local tidepool spots - Discover tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and hermit crabs at low tide.
Seaside bed-and-breakfast cafés - Cozy cafés and B&Bs offering homemade breakfasts and harbour views.
Point Pinos Lighthouse - Short scenic drive to historic lighthouse and coastal viewpoints at the peninsula tip.
Monterey Bay Aquarium - World-class aquarium featuring local marine life, a short drive down the coast.
Best Time to Visit Pacific Grove#
Pacific Grove is best from late spring through early fall (May-October) when ocean breezes and milder weather make coastal walks pleasant. Summers are cool and often foggy in the mornings, but wildlife viewing and whale watching remain excellent.
December - February
8 - 15 °C (46 - 59 °F)
Rainy, cool and often windy - good for storm watching and quieter attractions, but expect wet trails and fewer open outdoor events.
March - May
9 - 17 °C (48 - 63 °F)
Mild, increasingly sunny days great for coastal walks and gardening displays; evenings stay cool and mornings may still have marine fog.
June - August
11 - 20 °C (52 - 68 °F)
Cool, foggy mornings give way to pleasant afternoons; expect low humidity and chilly evenings - perfect for beaches if you layer.
Pacific Grove's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 20°C. Moderate rainfall (750 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (151 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Pacific Grove#
Pacific Grove is best reached via Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) or by road from major Bay Area airports. For getting around, local MST buses and short rides by taxi/tuk‑style services work well; most visitors prefer a rental car for flexibility along the coast.
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY): Monterey Regional is the closest airport to Pacific Grove (about 10-15 minutes by car to most central spots). Taxis and rideshares from MRY into Pacific Grove typically cost US$20-35 and take about 10-20 minutes; rental cars are available at the airport.
San Francisco International (SFO): For more flight options, fly into SFO and take a shuttle, rental car or rideshare. Shared airport shuttles between SFO and Monterey area (e.g., Monterey Airbus/airport shuttles) commonly cost around US$60-80 one‑way and take roughly 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic.
Train: There is no direct intercity passenger rail service into Pacific Grove; the nearest conventional rail services operate farther inland. Travelers by rail typically transfer to buses or shuttle services for the last leg.
Bus: Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) runs local buses between Monterey and Pacific Grove; typical single fares are US$1.50-2.00 and the ride is about 10-20 minutes. Regional shuttle services and private airport shuttles connect SFO/SJC to the Monterey Peninsula for higher fares (≈US$60+).
How to Get Around Pacific Grove#
Pacific Grove is small and easy to navigate: short MST bus routes and rideshares handle local transfers, and walking covers much of the shoreline. For day trips along Highway 1 you’ll appreciate having a car.
- MST local bus (US$1.50-2.00) - Monterey‑Salinas Transit (MST) provides short, frequent routes between Monterey and Pacific Grove. Single fares are typically US$1.50-2.00 and trip times are about 10-20 minutes depending on origin. Good for low‑cost short hops but check schedules on weekends.
- Airport shuttle (US$60-85) - Shared shuttles between SFO/SJC and Monterey Peninsula are available and are a convenient alternative to driving. Expect about US$60-85 one way and 1.5-2 hours travel time depending on traffic; book ahead in high season.
- Taxi / Rideshare (US$20-40) - Taxis or rideshares like Uber/Lyft are the fastest way from Monterey Regional Airport to Pacific Grove-fares typically US$20-40 and travel times 10-25 minutes. Rideshares can surge during peak tourism times, so compare prices.
- Rental car (US$40+/day) - Renting a car is the most flexible option for exploring the Monterey Peninsula and coastal routes. Daily rates vary widely by season-expect US$40-100+ per day-and parking in Pacific Grove is generally available but can be limited near popular shoreline spots.
- Walking - Pacific Grove is very walkable around the downtown, Lovers Point and the coastal trail. Walking is often the quickest and most pleasant way to soak in the shoreline scenery; bring layers for coastal wind.
Where to Stay in Pacific Grove#
Pacific Grove - $90-180/night
Affordable inns and small motels cluster near downtown and Lovers Point. Limited hostel-style options; early booking in summer is wise.
Pacific Grove Inn - No-frills, central to town
Lovers Point Inn - Simple rooms near the beach
Lovers Point / Cannery Row - $160-320/night
Comfortable, boutique properties are common in Pacific Grove and nearby Monterey - good balance of character, coastal views and easy access to attractions.
Spindrift Inn (Monterey) - Oceanfront, classic boutique hotel
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa - Larger boutique feel, near Cannery Row
Monterey/Carmel - $300+/night
High-end hotels are concentrated in nearby Monterey/Carmel - expect premium rates for oceanfront rooms, dining and concierge services.
The Ritz-Carlton, Monterey (Carmel area) - Luxury seaside resort (nearby)
Monterey Bayfront luxury options - High-end suites with ocean views
Where to Eat in Pacific Grove#
Ocean-facing eateries highlight Monterey Bay seafood with sustainable sourcing and seasonal preparations - perfect for clam chowder, fresh fish, and relaxed harbor-side meals.
- Passionfish - Sustainable seafood with creative seasonal preparations.
- Fandango Restaurant - Mediterranean-influenced plates and longtime local favorite.
- Red House Café - Cozy brunch spot offering baked goods and sandwiches.
Cozy coffee shops and bakeries serve artisan pastries, local roasts, and light lunches - ideal for mornings before coastal walks and aquarium visits.
- Lighthouse Café - Casual breakfast and strong coffee near Lovers Point.
- Pacific Grove Coffee Roasting Company - Local roastery serving espresso, pastries, and light bites.
- Local bakery & pastry shops - Neighborhood bakeries offering morning pastries and sandwiches.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pacific Grove’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Pacific Grove#
Shopping is centred on downtown Lighthouse Avenue where you’ll find independent boutiques, galleries and coastal gift shops. For a larger retail mix head over to Monterey’s Cannery Row or nearby malls.
Nightlife in Pacific Grove#
Nightlife in Pacific Grove is low-key - evenings are mostly about relaxed restaurants, a few local bars and seasonal events. If you want a livelier late-night scene, neighbouring Monterey offers more options.
