Pacific Grove — affectionately called “PG” by locals — is the quiet, charming neighbor on the tip of the peninsula. Victorian homes line streets that end at rocky tide pools, Monarch butterflies winter in its eucalyptus groves, and the lighthouse at Point Pinos has guided ships since 1855.
Restaurants & Bars
Fandango
Mediterranean · Village
A Pacific Grove staple for decades. Country French and Mediterranean cuisine served in a warm, rustic dining room. The rack of lamb is legendary.
Jeninni Kitchen + Wine Bar
Mediterranean · Lighthouse Avenue
Inventive small plates inspired by the Mediterranean coast. Excellent natural wine list and one of the most creative menus on the peninsula.
Red House Café
Café · Lighthouse Avenue
Beloved breakfast and lunch spot in a charming Victorian cottage. Expect a wait on weekends — the French toast and benedicts are worth it.
Pepper’s MexiCali Café
Mexican · Lighthouse Avenue
Casual, colorful Mexican café with generous portions and strong margaritas. A Pacific Grove neighborhood favorite for over 30 years.
Crema
Coffee · Lighthouse Avenue
The best coffee on the peninsula, full stop. Single-origin pour-overs, excellent pastries, and a cozy space to settle in for the morning.
Things to Do
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
Nature · Ridge Road
Every October through February, thousands of Monarch butterflies cluster in the pine and eucalyptus trees here. A genuinely magical natural spectacle.
Point Pinos Lighthouse
Landmark · Asilomar Avenue
The oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, built in 1855. Free tours on weekends with stunning views of the rocky point.
Asilomar State Beach
Beach · Asilomar Avenue
Wild, windswept beach backed by dunes and pine forest. The boardwalk trail through the dunes is one of the most peaceful walks on the peninsula.
Pacific Grove Tide Pools
Nature · Ocean View Boulevard
Some of the most accessible tide pools on the coast. Go at low tide for sea stars, anemones, and octopus along the rocky shore.
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
Museum · Forest Avenue
A small but excellent natural history museum covering the ecology of Monterey Bay. Free admission, and the whale skeleton out front is a landmark.