Guidebook for Pacific Grove

Ben
Guidebook for Pacific Grove

Food Scene

The fish and slow cooked meats are delicious. Save room for the mud pie.
68 locals recommend
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse Ave
68 locals recommend
The fish and slow cooked meats are delicious. Save room for the mud pie.
On our block! Funky scene but love the Lappert's ice cream and homemade waffle cones.
The Ice Cream Shoppe
708 Lighthouse Ave
On our block! Funky scene but love the Lappert's ice cream and homemade waffle cones.
Try the cream cheese danish and chocolate chip cookies. Super busy on the weekend mornings and they are CASH ONLY. You'll likely want to grab pastries and go here as the seating is pretty limited.
53 locals recommend
Pavel's Backerei
219 Forest Ave
53 locals recommend
Try the cream cheese danish and chocolate chip cookies. Super busy on the weekend mornings and they are CASH ONLY. You'll likely want to grab pastries and go here as the seating is pretty limited.
Great wine selection and delicious mostly Mediterranean inspired cuisine. Get the eggplant fries.
12 locals recommend
Jeninni Kitchen + Wine Bar
542 Lighthouse Ave
12 locals recommend
Great wine selection and delicious mostly Mediterranean inspired cuisine. Get the eggplant fries.
Every Monday from 3-PM, tons of local produce, live music, plus food trucks/vendors. Yum! Great place for the kiddos since the market is situated around a grassy park where they can run around while you enjoy dinner from a food truck.
Everyone’s Harvest
150-158 Grand Ave
Every Monday from 3-PM, tons of local produce, live music, plus food trucks/vendors. Yum! Great place for the kiddos since the market is situated around a grassy park where they can run around while you enjoy dinner from a food truck.
Local, organic, cold-pressed juice. YUM. On the expensive side, but be sure to return your bottle to get a dollar back.
Central Coast Juicery
206 Forest Ave
Local, organic, cold-pressed juice. YUM. On the expensive side, but be sure to return your bottle to get a dollar back.
Grilled cheese and the iceberg wedge are favorites. If they have apricot cookies, be sure to get one! They have high chairs and this is an easy place to come with kids--just keep in mind that they really fill up for brunch so you'll likely have to wait a while unless you get there early.
52 locals recommend
Red House Cafe
662 Lighthouse Avenue
52 locals recommend
Grilled cheese and the iceberg wedge are favorites. If they have apricot cookies, be sure to get one! They have high chairs and this is an easy place to come with kids--just keep in mind that they really fill up for brunch so you'll likely have to wait a while unless you get there early.
Coffee PLUS books? YES PLEASE. The front of this great spot, just a block away from our duplex, is a coffee shop serving Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting beans and they make a great pour over or latte or whatever you may feel like at the moment. Walk through the coffee shop to the bookstore, which is well-stocked with current bestsellers, local authors, and local interest books. Kids section plus notecards and stuffed animal puppets. Easy place to take kids before or after the park. Free WiFi.
17 locals recommend
The Bookworks
667 Lighthouse Ave
17 locals recommend
Coffee PLUS books? YES PLEASE. The front of this great spot, just a block away from our duplex, is a coffee shop serving Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting beans and they make a great pour over or latte or whatever you may feel like at the moment. Walk through the coffee shop to the bookstore, which is well-stocked with current bestsellers, local authors, and local interest books. Kids section plus notecards and stuffed animal puppets. Easy place to take kids before or after the park. Free WiFi.
An institution for breakfast. The chorizo is homemade and in a couple dishes. We like to get one wheat germ pancake to share.
55 locals recommend
First Awakenings
300 David Ave
55 locals recommend
An institution for breakfast. The chorizo is homemade and in a couple dishes. We like to get one wheat germ pancake to share.
Simple fresh seafood with views of the Wharf.
22 locals recommend
Sandbar & Grill
Municipal Wharf 2
22 locals recommend
Simple fresh seafood with views of the Wharf.
Hidden in Pebble Beach at Poppy Hills Golf Course. Lunch and Dinner. Chef has a truly delicious and creative menu. Beautiful views of the forest and golf course. Menu changes all the time. It's ALL good! Homemade bacon is like candy! Oh and they will by up to $20 of your UBER ride home and back.
Porter's in the Forest
3200 Lopez Rd
Hidden in Pebble Beach at Poppy Hills Golf Course. Lunch and Dinner. Chef has a truly delicious and creative menu. Beautiful views of the forest and golf course. Menu changes all the time. It's ALL good! Homemade bacon is like candy! Oh and they will by up to $20 of your UBER ride home and back.
Poppy Hall
589 Lighthouse Avenue
PG's new Pub. Fish and chips, burgers and beer.
Monarch Pub And Restaurant
617 Lighthouse Ave
PG's new Pub. Fish and chips, burgers and beer.
The best french pastries (croissants and more) on the Monterey peninsula. Good coffee as well.
25 locals recommend
Parker-Lusseau Pastries
539 Hartnell St
25 locals recommend
The best french pastries (croissants and more) on the Monterey peninsula. Good coffee as well.

Parks & Nature

Great playground nearby. Big kid swings plus bucket swings, a little baseball diamond and basketball courts, plus several slides and structures. We come here nearly every day with our three year old!
8 locals recommend
Caledonia Park
Caledonia Avenue
8 locals recommend
Great playground nearby. Big kid swings plus bucket swings, a little baseball diamond and basketball courts, plus several slides and structures. We come here nearly every day with our three year old!
Simple but lovely park right across from the Natural History Museum and the Library. A nice place to run around or picnic. Part of the movie Turner and Hooch was filmed here!
Jewell Park
Simple but lovely park right across from the Natural History Museum and the Library. A nice place to run around or picnic. Part of the movie Turner and Hooch was filmed here!
Playground and baseball field! This park can get a little chillier than the others we've listed because it's in a wooded area, but it's walkable and offers another place for the kids to run around. Swings!
George Washington Park
700 Alder St
Playground and baseball field! This park can get a little chillier than the others we've listed because it's in a wooded area, but it's walkable and offers another place for the kids to run around. Swings!
This grassy area above Lovers Point beach is great for a picnic without getting sandy. Public restrooms, volleyball, and a kid's pool are located up here. Check times for the pool as it's not open year round.
127 locals recommend
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View Blvd
127 locals recommend
This grassy area above Lovers Point beach is great for a picnic without getting sandy. Public restrooms, volleyball, and a kid's pool are located up here. Check times for the pool as it's not open year round.
My wife and I both grew up going to this park and it's still the gold standard in Monterey. Lots of slides, plenty of places to run around (including a labyrinth!) and sand as opposed to many other parks that use wood chips. Next door is a baseball diamond and there's a concession stand--not that you'll want to have lunch here, but a good popsicle stop for the kids after they are worn out!
50 locals recommend
Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl St
50 locals recommend
My wife and I both grew up going to this park and it's still the gold standard in Monterey. Lots of slides, plenty of places to run around (including a labyrinth!) and sand as opposed to many other parks that use wood chips. Next door is a baseball diamond and there's a concession stand--not that you'll want to have lunch here, but a good popsicle stop for the kids after they are worn out!
Right next to Dennis the Menace, you can rent paddle and swan boats here to glide you around the little Lake El Estero!
7 locals recommend
El Estero Boating
798 Del Monte Ave
7 locals recommend
Right next to Dennis the Menace, you can rent paddle and swan boats here to glide you around the little Lake El Estero!
29 locals recommend
Big Sur River Inn
46800 CA-1
29 locals recommend

Shopping

Cute butterfly-themed gifts to take home, plus a little outdoor garden.
Butterfly By The Sea
623 Lighthouse Ave
Cute butterfly-themed gifts to take home, plus a little outdoor garden.
Adorable children's clothing shop. Some PG-themed tees and mostly for the under 5 set.
Sprout Boutique
210 1/2 Forest Ave
Adorable children's clothing shop. Some PG-themed tees and mostly for the under 5 set.
Just a cool spot to check out. Gifts and things for the home. Locally owned.
Habitat
169 Fountain Ave
Just a cool spot to check out. Gifts and things for the home. Locally owned.
Clothing, toys, baby carriers, etc. This used clothing/toy store has everything. It's a bit of a hodge podge, but the owner and ladies who work there are wonderful, so just ask them if you are in need of something specific.
Chatter Baux Shoppe
157 Fountain Ave
Clothing, toys, baby carriers, etc. This used clothing/toy store has everything. It's a bit of a hodge podge, but the owner and ladies who work there are wonderful, so just ask them if you are in need of something specific.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this shop. If you need the perfect greeting card, they have it. If you need a little trinket to take back with you, you'll find it here. Well-curated with a nice selection of pens and candles and some things for kids too (board books and baby gifts).
The Quill
553 Lighthouse Ave
LOVE LOVE LOVE this shop. If you need the perfect greeting card, they have it. If you need a little trinket to take back with you, you'll find it here. Well-curated with a nice selection of pens and candles and some things for kids too (board books and baby gifts).
You've never been in a store like this. It's a color explosion of unique gifts. Toys for kids and adults alike--definitely worth a visit! If you come during the Feast of Lanterns and want to take home a unique lantern, stop by here for the best selection.
Tessuti Zoo
171 Forest Ave
You've never been in a store like this. It's a color explosion of unique gifts. Toys for kids and adults alike--definitely worth a visit! If you come during the Feast of Lanterns and want to take home a unique lantern, stop by here for the best selection.
80 locals recommend
Del Monte Shopping Center
1410 Del Monte Center
80 locals recommend

Essentials

Need milk? OJ? Butter? Cereal? Grove is the local grocery store. There's a butcher on hand and prepared food, too.
33 locals recommend
Grove Market
242 Forest Ave
33 locals recommend
Need milk? OJ? Butter? Cereal? Grove is the local grocery store. There's a butcher on hand and prepared food, too.
Great spot for doing laundry and super close to our duplex. It's on the opposite side of the street, on our same block. Free wifi!
Sudz Laundry
709 Lighthouse Ave
Great spot for doing laundry and super close to our duplex. It's on the opposite side of the street, on our same block. Free wifi!
Locally owned dry cleaner in case you need something pressed or cleaned while in town.
Pacific Grove Art Center
568 Lighthouse Ave
Locally owned dry cleaner in case you need something pressed or cleaned while in town.
LOVE this place and all the instructors. They usually have a special deal for unlimited classes for a week. Their website can tell you more. Mats are available (for free to borrow) in case you don't travel with one!
Seaside Yoga Sanctuary
300 Grand Ave
LOVE this place and all the instructors. They usually have a special deal for unlimited classes for a week. Their website can tell you more. Mats are available (for free to borrow) in case you don't travel with one!

Arts & Culture

Love this museum. Lots of local animals (taxidermy) in a beautiful old building. BIG grizzly bear! Outdoor space, too, for kids to run around.
28 locals recommend
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest Ave
28 locals recommend
Love this museum. Lots of local animals (taxidermy) in a beautiful old building. BIG grizzly bear! Outdoor space, too, for kids to run around.
Great kids section in a wonderful old building. Knowledgable librarians!
6 locals recommend
Pacific Grove Public Libary
550 Central Ave
6 locals recommend
Great kids section in a wonderful old building. Knowledgable librarians!
34 locals recommend
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific St
34 locals recommend

Entertainment & Activities

A movie theatre you can walk to from our home! Perfect! Usually a good selection of the latest releases.
9 locals recommend
Lighthouse Cinema
525 Lighthouse Ave
9 locals recommend
A movie theatre you can walk to from our home! Perfect! Usually a good selection of the latest releases.
A great sports facility with basketball courts, swimming pools, workout equipment and babysitting. Indoor pool but is only open to kids under 5 Monday - Friday from 1:30-2:30pm . http://www.monterey.org/sportscenter/
12 locals recommend
Monterey Sports Center
301 E Franklin St
12 locals recommend
A great sports facility with basketball courts, swimming pools, workout equipment and babysitting. Indoor pool but is only open to kids under 5 Monday - Friday from 1:30-2:30pm . http://www.monterey.org/sportscenter/
Fun and educational activities. Closed on Mondays. http://www.mymuseum.org/plan/general-info/
15 locals recommend
Monterey County Youth Museum
425 Washington St
15 locals recommend
Fun and educational activities. Closed on Mondays. http://www.mymuseum.org/plan/general-info/
Jump-N-Around
18 locals recommend
Monterey Zoo
400 River Rd
18 locals recommend
Outdoor hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and massage in Carmel Valley.
65 locals recommend
Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos Rd
65 locals recommend
Outdoor hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and massage in Carmel Valley.

Sightseeing

Sea lions for days on this pier, plus beautiful views of the bay and you'll likely see several scuba divers walking right into the water from the beach here.
7 locals recommend
Coast Guard Pier
100 Lighthouse Ave
7 locals recommend
Sea lions for days on this pier, plus beautiful views of the bay and you'll likely see several scuba divers walking right into the water from the beach here.
Monarch Butterflies start to arrive in October and stay until February. http://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/visiting/monarch-butterfly-sanctuary
22 locals recommend
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
250 Ridge Rd
22 locals recommend
Monarch Butterflies start to arrive in October and stay until February. http://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/visiting/monarch-butterfly-sanctuary