Visit Pacific Grove – Home of the Monarch Butterfly. Pacific Grove, California has a classic Main Street, USA feel, with one of the oldest continually operating lighthouses in the country and a classic 1932 golf course partially designed by Jack Neville and many old-fashioned charms. Pacific Grove also has a thoroughly modern focus on green elements like nature and sustainability. Its beaches, located right on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Asilomar State Beach and Lovers Point Beach are perfect spots for kayaking or surfing — and some of the fish you see on the Bay may turn up in your sustainable seafood dinner that night. If you’re fortunate enough to be in Pacific Grove during the fall or winter, you can catch the annual migration of tens of thousands of Monarch butterflies who take up residence in the pines and eucalyptus trees of the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, so start planning a Pacific Grove – Home of the Monarch Butterfly vacation today!
Pacific Grove Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Pacific Grove CA is between April and May. Spring offers warmer temperatures, fewer crowds and food festivals dishing out delectable eats, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Artichoke Festival in Castroville. Summer is the most popular time to visit the Monterey Peninsula, but it can still be chilly, so bring a sweater regardless of the season. Fall is another good time to visit, but the likelihood of rain increases starting in October. Pacific Grove’s central California location subjects it to mild temperatures during the winter, with the average low reaching 48 degrees. Winter also brings lower hotel prices and the celebrity-heavy AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am event held in February, making Pacific Grove an attractive destination year-round.
Best Pacific Grove Area Beaches
Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is a popular spot for nature walks, surfing, kayaking, kite flying, and romantic sunset strolls along the shore. Asilomar State Beach may only be a mile long, but it packs more beautiful views and natural diversity into that mile than most beaches have in ten or more. Asilomar State Beach is an accessible beach, and features beach wheelchairs to allow those with limited mobility to enjoy the coastal experience. It is also dog-friendly; dogs must remain leashed at all times.
Lovers Point Beach
For over 100 years, Lovers Point Beach has been Pacific Grove’s most popular spot for shoreline recreation. Surfers love its reliable waves, while kayakers find it a perfect launching spot from which to get out on Monterey Bay and view the coastline and native wildlife. Scuba divers frequent the kelp forests here to get a close-up view of its marine denizens. Landlubbers can compete on the beach volleyball court. Lovers Point Beach is also the starting point for the infamous “Kelp Crawl” portion of the Triathlon at Pacific Grove.
Pebble Beach
Pebble BeachThe coastal beauty in and around Pebble Beach is legendary. From the legendary Lone Cypress, one of the most photographed trees in North America, to the famed eighteenth green of Pebble Beach Golf Links, a trip along 17-Mile Drive will leave you spellbound. And once the storybook tour is complete, an unforgettable dining experience awaits at one of the many area restaurants.
Perkins Park Beachfront
Perkins Park BeachfrontPerkins Park in Pacific Grove, California is the beachfront park along Ocean View Boulevard between Lover’s Point Park and Esplanade Park. Head here at low tide and explore the wealth of tide pools available along the beachfront here. The park is nearly a mile long and most of the bluff is covered in ice plant which blooms bright pink and purple during certain parts of the year. Locals call this the “magic carpet.”
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Point Pinos Beaches
Point Pinos BeachesKnown for the Point Pinos Lighthouse that overlooks the beachfront, Point Pinos offers several small sandy coves right at the point and nearby in both directions. At lower tides and during calm seas, there are a ton of tide pools to explore. The rocks all along the point invite exploration, but be careful and watch out for rising tides and large waves. This beach is known for much higher than average waves.
Best Pacific Grove Restaurants
Passionfish Restaurant $31 – 60
They believe there is an art to food, and an art to life, and that behind both is passion. They use vivid flavors of fresh, local ingredients. They select daily from small farms and farmers market’s, and from sustainable farms and fisheries. Their wine list draws from interesting and sustainably produced wines from around the world. Their seafood, meats and produce are sustainably harvested, and we are the first local restaurant to be designated a green business. Telephone: 831-655-3311 Web: Passionfish Restaurant.
La Mia Cucina $11 – 30
This little jewel, with its fresh ambiance and tantalizing menu, is popular with everyone. Owner Michael’s specialty, his ravioli dishes, are a renowned local favorite, and for good reason. They are hand made, with all the care that only a lifetime of creative food combining can bring. In addition to pasta, La Mia Cucina is known for it’s fresh fish and meat specials. Telephone: 831-373-2416 Web: La Mia Cucina.
Jeninni Kitchen & Wine Bar $11 – 30
A coastal and southern Mediterranean cuisine. Their menu consist of many small plates and changes almost daily with focus on local and organic ingredients. Their diverse wine list designed by owner sommelier offers high quality wines from their local Monterey County appellation and from around the world. The shims + session cocktail program is very well recognized as solid very innovative. Telephone: 831-920-2662 Web: Jeninni Kitchen & Wine Bar
Fandango Restaurant $31 – 60
Fandango, serving Monterey and Carmel, has become a favorite restaurant for locals and visitors alike. They specialize in creating a unique and enjoyable fine dining experience, presenting a lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch menu that features Mediterranean and European style cuisine. They offer inventive dishes inspired from ingredients around the globe including fresh seafood and hearty pastas, mouth-watering steaks and our signature rack of lamb. Telephone: 831-372-3456 Web: Fandango Restaurant.
Beach House Restaurant & Bar $11 – 30
The Beach House welcomes you to one of the world’s most romantic dining destinations. Stunning panoramic views, casual California cuisine in a relaxed setting featuring a full bar, heated outdoor patio and plenty of window tables. Their casual California cuisine is fresh and flavorful, innovative yet, affordable. Telephone: 831-375-2345 Web: Beach House Restaurant & Bar.
Best Pacific Grove Bars
Jeninni Wine Bar
Redefining the modern wine bar experience, jeninni kitchen + wine bar offers a contemporary take on the sultry cuisines of the Mediterranean coast – alongside unique, quality wines and innovative cocktails. Telephone: 831-920-2662 Web: Jeninni Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Beach House at Lover’s Point
The Beach House welcomes you to one of the world’s most romantic dining destinations. Stunning panoramic views, casual California cuisine in a relaxed setting featuring a full bar, heated outdoor patio and plenty of window tables. Their casual California cuisine is fresh and flavorful, innovative yet, affordable. Telephone: 831-375-2345 Web: Beach House Restaurant & Bar.
Bulldog British Pub
The very best food, drink and fun from across the pond. With 7 big screen televisions and beer specials, The Bulldog is the place to watch the fights or the big game while taking in a pint. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, so grab some friends and head on over! Telephone: 831-658-0686 Web: Bulldog Pub.
Bull & Bear Whiskey Bar & Taphouse
The Bull and Bear boasts indoor and outdoor bars, a back patio for live music and a fire pit, this is a fun place to grab a drink and unwind, or to come out and dance. Located on Alvarado Street, as many of these bars are, the Bull and Bear is a real gem in the heart of Downtown Monterey. Telephone: (831) 655-3031 Web: Bull & Bear Whiskey Bar & Taphouse.
Crown & Anchor Pub
A downtown British pub, Crown & Anchor neighbors the Bull and Bear and Britannia Arms on nearby Franklin Street. With walls covered in nautical themed memorabilia, the Crown offers an underground central bar, surrounded by barstools and booths, with additional outdoor seating. Grab a bite to eat, or a delicious drink. Telephone: (831) 649-6496 Web: Crown & Anchor Pub.
Best Pacific Grove Ca Hotels
Leahrae,
You’re post are alluring and enriching. I really like your travel site. You make went want to live here (you really do). I like the: Weather (When to Go) in Pacific Grove CA, as I would want to go when it’s nice and not a lot of people.
Also, the Centrella and Four Sisters Inn will be my choices to lodge.
Great Lane 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed my Pacific Grove CA Travel post. Thanks for stopping by!
You had me at butterflies, but the festivals and the continuously changing seasons is a bonus! Very insightful and beautiful description. It’s going on my bucket list. XD
Great Ian! Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
This is such a beautiful place to visit. You just gave me another vacation idea to show to my husband. Yesterday, my husband and I were just talking about visiting California for our next summer vacation. This post came the perfect time. I love how you do these reviews. Very informative as always. I have already bookmarked your site for the future. I will let you know when we decide to go. Maybe you can direct us to a great vacation package. Thank you for sharing.
I would love to help you with a vacation package. Just let me know when you are ready to start planning. Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
Hey Leahrae, thanks for your information about Pacific Grove in California, your description about the old-fashioned charms accompanies the top photo wonderfully. Pacific Grove sounds a real mix of modern meets tradition – kayaking and surfing with a view of one of the oldest lighthouses, Victorian architecture, the classic golf course and timeless main street.
I bet it’s fascinating to watch the annual migration of the Monarch butterflies taking up residence amongst the Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary.
I think either during Autumn would be a great time to visit to see the butterfly spectacle or like you mention, around April time where there’s a warmer temperature and the resort is slightly quieter.
We’re starting to plan a trip to California and would like to visit Pacific Grove, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego. Can I ask: Is there a train journey that runs down the coastal route?
Thanks again Leahrae, love your blogs,
Simon.
Hi Simon, and thank you for stopping by to read my Pacific Grove CA Travel post. There is most definitely a train that does go down the coast and you can find information on that by clicking here. That would be a wonderful way to see the California Coast! Please let me know if you need any additional information and thanks for stopping by!
A great place for a holiday. It is a pity that great time to visit is in April becuase I enjoy visiting during the year in my tourist travels.
I still would love to see the place anyway due to it’s beautiful scenery.
I think that you could visit anytime of the year, just might be a little rainy at times and foggy at times. I live in the sunshine state and I welcome the rain. So it doesn’t bother me. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great review of an area that I wasn’t familiar with. I love the idea of whale watching, and all the butterflies coming there for the winter. Also, the inns look like a beautiful place to stay. We are going out to California in January for a few days, and I am going to add this to our list of places that I would love for us to go. My son loves butterflies and every summer he catches a caterpillar and feeds it in a jar until it becomes a butterfly and then he releases. He would love to see how far his butterfly might have traveled. It seems from the information that you provided, there would be something of interest for our entire family. I just hope that the weather won’t be too rainy in January. I already have crappy winter weather where we live. Thanks for all the great information and I believe that we will venture over there. We love natural beauty, and Pacific Grove seems to have plenty of that to offer.
You are right Marla, so much natural beauty in the whole Monterey Bay area, and yes something for the entire family. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks for visiting Pacific Grove CA Travel.
Dear Leahrae,
Another wonderful review! I like to surf your blog and see if there’s anything particularly interesting at a specific spot! Just like this one. You recommend us to go in April or May for warmer water and fewer crowds but I personally think that fall or winter, when the butterflies migrate is another great timing to go! How lucky if I happen to witness their migration? Do you know the specific timing for them to migrate?
And, whale watching is also a great activity! I actually went whale watching before but I think they are small breed whales (can’t remember their breed name). So, it’s great to go again if I can spot a different breed! Do you know what types of whales we are possible to spot? And the likelihood to spot them?
The Monarch butterflies are not able to survive the cold winters of most of the United States so they migrate south and west each autumn to escape the cold weather. The monarch migration usually starts in about October of each year, but can start earlier if the weather turns cold sooner than that. There are blue, humpback and gray whales in the Monterey Bay area. If you head to the area while they are migrating, you pretty much have a 100% chance of seeing them. They are a beautiful site for sure. Thank you so much for stopping by Pacific Grove CA Travel.
My, my, this place is amazing.
As well as the views and amenities, the inns themselves look incredible.
Landmarks and sightseeing tours aside though, my main interest when visiting somewhere is the food.
Some of these restaurants look amazing so thanks for providing a good range of information including price range. Some can be insanely expensive.
I can’t afford to go there right now, but when I can, this is now on my list.
Thanks,
Michael.
I am so glad you enjoyed my Pacific Grove CA Travel post. Yes, I will agree that it is an amazing place and you will love it! Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like a great place to visit if I ever get to Cali. We live in Colorado and seem to have a tough time venturing out of the state. I’m sure we will get a little more curious and you may just find us on the west coast for a visit. Your reviews are truly beautiful and look like fun places to vacation.
Thanks Stephen, and I grew up in Colorado. But at heart, I’m a beach bum and love coast. Once you find your way, you will keep going back I am sure! Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
I haven’t been up that far along the coast yet, looks like I’ll be adding this to my list of must see’s for sure. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Scott, and thanks for visiting Pacific Grove Travel.
WOW…I love butterflies…and this place sounds like the place to be…butterflies ‘n all. The beach looks wonderful…hell, just about everything looks good. You have presented a great picture and now I have a difficult decision to make – thanks, Leahrae. LOL
I have never been to Pacific Grove, but you can bet your ‘bottom dollah’, I am going to include it on my bucket list. You have covered everything – tours, recreation, food, and accommodation. It is like one-stop-shopping. Thanks so much and keep up the good job.
Michelle
Thank you Michelle for continually visiting beach travel destinations and finding all your vacation needs here. You will love the area! Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Very nice setting along the Monterey Bay. Is Pacific Grove a well known spot for tourists? According to the video, it is very picturesque. Lots of flowers and everything. Plenty of good Inns and restaurants. Still a very nice place to visit and have a great time!
Pacific Grove is a little less known than some of the other coastal communities in this area, so it would be a tad less crowded, than say Marina Del Rey which will be busy with people. The whole area is great, so staying somewhere quieter is great I think, because you are still close to all the beautiful things in the area.
Hi Lea,
WOW, Pacific Grove is so beautiful and these reviews are really useful!
A good friend of mine wants to make a trip with me and the thing is that we hesitate between Pacific Grove and Greece. But now that I read this article, I’ll definitely choose this place for our trip. I will convince my friend to go there:)
My friend lives in Germany, so my question is, what is the best way for her to get to Pacific Grove?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Daniella, and boy what a choice! Greece or California 🙂 I have been to California several times, so my pick would be Greece LOL. Anyway, from Germany it would just be Frankfurt to Los Angeles. The connecting flights are going to vary depending on what airline they choose. I would assume that Lufthansa would be the best option (I personally love that airline). Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me comments.
I enjoyed your review very much! I’ve never been to this area but several of your mentions and pics made me want to visit! I especially liked the part about the Monarch butterflies, the Point Pinos Lighthouse and that beautiful Victorian Inn!
Thank you!
Robin
You are welcome Robin and glad you enjoyed my review on Pacific Grove CA Travel. You will love the area for sure! Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
I have to agree with Dave. Your reviews are awesome, but I think that each one is as good if not better than the one before! I just love to see different places and anything along the shore attracts me for sure.
I haven’t been to California but once and that was 13 years ago. The problem is that Pacific Grove has too much to offer and to see. But I’ll suffer and take the plunge once I do get there! Thanks for some outstanding tips on Pacific Grove!
You are most welcome Rob and I am glad you enjoyed a visit to Pacific Grove CA Travel. Hopefully you can make it soon! And yes, you need a good couple of weeks to really enjoy the area.
I can’t get enough of these reviews! They are excellent but I think this is your best yet. Pacific Grove is so picturesque it’s almost unreal. Thanks to your site I have tons of places that I want to visit in CA! Keep those reviews coming!
Ok Dave I will ! I am glad you enjoyed a visit to my Pacific Grove CA Travel post. Thank you so much for stopping by!