Guidebook for Pacific Grove
Food Scene
Probably the best restaurant in P.G. Specializes in great sustainable seafood. Best wine list on the Peninsula with extremely reasonable prices. Right around the corner at 701 Lighthouse. Occasional celebrity sightings, particularly during car week or Pebble Beach Pro Am. Reservations recommended.
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Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AveProbably the best restaurant in P.G. Specializes in great sustainable seafood. Best wine list on the Peninsula with extremely reasonable prices. Right around the corner at 701 Lighthouse. Occasional celebrity sightings, particularly during car week or Pebble Beach Pro Am. Reservations recommended.
Our favorite restaurant in P.G. A few blocks down at 542 Lighthouse. Interesting and unusual wine list. Mediterranean. Try the lamb burger and eggplant fries! Say hello to the owner Thamin Saleh. Paella available during the week with 24 hours notice. Closed Wednesday.
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Jeninni Kitchen + Wine Bar
542 Lighthouse AveOur favorite restaurant in P.G. A few blocks down at 542 Lighthouse. Interesting and unusual wine list. Mediterranean. Try the lamb burger and eggplant fries! Say hello to the owner Thamin Saleh. Paella available during the week with 24 hours notice. Closed Wednesday.
If you died and went to heaven, this would be the great bakery in the sky. There is nothing else like it. Typically open from 7 am until they run out of baked goods at around 10 am. Cash only. Great bread, pastries, and pre-made sandwiches. Pick up a sandwich for a picnic. At 219 Forest Avenue.
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Pavel's Backerei
219 Forest AveIf you died and went to heaven, this would be the great bakery in the sky. There is nothing else like it. Typically open from 7 am until they run out of baked goods at around 10 am. Cash only. Great bread, pastries, and pre-made sandwiches. Pick up a sandwich for a picnic. At 219 Forest Avenue.
Solid choice for seafood. A bit old school. Near Asilomar at 1996 ½ Sunset Dr. This one is a bike ride or drive away.
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Fishwife
1996 1/2 Sunset DrSolid choice for seafood. A bit old school. Near Asilomar at 1996 ½ Sunset Dr. This one is a bike ride or drive away.
Great views. Good early bird specials. 620 Ocean View Ave.
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Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point
620 Ocean View BlvdGreat views. Good early bird specials. 620 Ocean View Ave.
Small, slightly strange restaurant, but solid food. Tokyo-born, French-trained chef. At 209 Forest Ave.
Max's Grill
209 Forest AveSmall, slightly strange restaurant, but solid food. Tokyo-born, French-trained chef. At 209 Forest Ave.
A little bit of everything for everyone. Best choices are Mediterranean food, but good kid options as well. Close by at 620 Lighthouse.
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International Cuisine
620 Lighthouse AveA little bit of everything for everyone. Best choices are Mediterranean food, but good kid options as well. Close by at 620 Lighthouse.
A classic that caters to an older crowd. Food is decent, if not exceptional. Recently got a new chef. Perhaps on the way up. At 223 17th Ave.
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Fandango Restaurant
223 17th StA classic that caters to an older crowd. Food is decent, if not exceptional. Recently got a new chef. Perhaps on the way up. At 223 17th Ave.
Mostly comfort food. Decent breakfast. Close by at 662 Lighthouse.
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Red House Cafe
662 Lighthouse AvenueMostly comfort food. Decent breakfast. Close by at 662 Lighthouse.
Close, American café with large breakfast and lunch menus. A popular place for families with smaller children. At 702 Lighthouse.
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Toasties Café
702 Lighthouse AveClose, American café with large breakfast and lunch menus. A popular place for families with smaller children. At 702 Lighthouse.
Closest coffee house at 667 Lighthouse. Good wifi. Nice selection of pastries and quiche. Adjoining bookstore with local titles. Try the vegan chocolate cake.
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The Bookworks
667 Lighthouse AveClosest coffee house at 667 Lighthouse. Good wifi. Nice selection of pastries and quiche. Adjoining bookstore with local titles. Try the vegan chocolate cake.
Good coffee house to camp out and get some work done. Plenty of power outlets. Wifi is okay, but Bookworks wifi seems more stable. Friday is open mic night for local color. At 599 Lighthouse.
P.G.Juice n' Java
599 Lighthouse AveGood coffee house to camp out and get some work done. Plenty of power outlets. Wifi is okay, but Bookworks wifi seems more stable. Friday is open mic night for local color. At 599 Lighthouse.
Good breakfast place. Owned by neighbor on Cypress. 602 Lighthouse.
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Holly's Lighthouse Cafe
602 Lighthouse AveGood breakfast place. Owned by neighbor on Cypress. 602 Lighthouse.
Solid Thai food with quick service. Also, good for carry out. Relatively healthy fare. Right around the corner at 663 Lighthouse.
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Pacific Thai Cuisine
663 Lighthouse AveSolid Thai food with quick service. Also, good for carry out. Relatively healthy fare. Right around the corner at 663 Lighthouse.
Parks & Nature
George Washington Park is the largest of Pacific Grove's city parks. It is six blocks long (from Short Street to Sinex Avenue) between Melrose and Alder Streets. Most of the park is natural appearing, unimproved forest land that offers important wildlife habitat. The park also contains picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, a large play structure, and a baseball field.
George Washington Park
700 Alder StGeorge Washington Park is the largest of Pacific Grove's city parks. It is six blocks long (from Short Street to Sinex Avenue) between Melrose and Alder Streets. Most of the park is natural appearing, unimproved forest land that offers important wildlife habitat. The park also contains picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms, a large play structure, and a baseball field.
Arriving in October, monarch butterflies cluster together on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Sanctuary. Because of this unique migration, Pacific Grove is nicknamed "Butterfly Town, U.S.A." The best time to see the Monarchs is in November and December, but some will stay as late as March. After arriving at their destination, the monarchs cluster in large masses for protection from the elements. Since their flight muscles do not function well unless the temperature is above 55 degrees, they rest quietly on the trees, resembling dead leaves, until sunlight warms them enough to fly. On warm days, the butterflies will leave the trees entirely, seeking out nectar sources with which to
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Santuario delle Farfalle Monarca
250 Ridge RdArriving in October, monarch butterflies cluster together on pine, cypress and eucalyptus trees in the Sanctuary. Because of this unique migration, Pacific Grove is nicknamed "Butterfly Town, U.S.A." The best time to see the Monarchs is in November and December, but some will stay as late as March. After arriving at their destination, the monarchs cluster in large masses for protection from the elements. Since their flight muscles do not function well unless the temperature is above 55 degrees, they rest quietly on the trees, resembling dead leaves, until sunlight warms them enough to fly. On warm days, the butterflies will leave the trees entirely, seeking out nectar sources with which to
Part of El Estero Park, this is a great playground for kids in Monterey. Also a good place to rent paddle boats for the lake. Downtown Monterey along Del Monte.
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Dennis The Menace Playground
777 Pearl StPart of El Estero Park, this is a great playground for kids in Monterey. Also a good place to rent paddle boats for the lake. Downtown Monterey along Del Monte.
One of the most beautiful coastlines in California. Where Ed Rickets obtained his marine specimens. Great tide pooling. Nice walking paths along the coast. Southern part has a nice broad beach with bigger waves for good (advanced) surfing. Go west on Lighthouse until you hit the coast.
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Spiaggia Statale di Asilomar
Sunset DriveOne of the most beautiful coastlines in California. Where Ed Rickets obtained his marine specimens. Great tide pooling. Nice walking paths along the coast. Southern part has a nice broad beach with bigger waves for good (advanced) surfing. Go west on Lighthouse until you hit the coast.
One of the most beautiful state parks in California. Dramatic coastline. Great trails. Whale and bird watching. Scuba diving. Famously photographed by Edward Weston. Just south of Carmel. Entrance fee of $10.
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Riserva Naturale Statale di Point Lobos
62 CA-1One of the most beautiful state parks in California. Dramatic coastline. Great trails. Whale and bird watching. Scuba diving. Famously photographed by Edward Weston. Just south of Carmel. Entrance fee of $10.
Best beach for kids. Well protected. Good place to rent kayaks and paddle out to the sea otters and harbor seals. Burgers and fries available at Lover’s Point Grill. Bike and surrey rentals also available. Good picnic spot. Coffee available.
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Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdBest beach for kids. Well protected. Good place to rent kayaks and paddle out to the sea otters and harbor seals. Burgers and fries available at Lover’s Point Grill. Bike and surrey rentals also available. Good picnic spot. Coffee available.
Nice local park with playground equipment and a basketball court. Good for young kids. Just a couple of blocks away. On Caledonia right off Lighthouse.
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Caledonia Park
Caledonia AvenueNice local park with playground equipment and a basketball court. Good for young kids. Just a couple of blocks away. On Caledonia right off Lighthouse.
Sightseeing
Steinbeck described the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." The canneries failed after the collapse of the fishing industry in Monterey Bay in the mid-1950s, which resulted from a combination of factors, including unfavorable oceanic conditions, over-fishing, and competition from other species. In his investigation of where the sardines had gone, Ed Ricketts finally concluded "They're in cans." The last sardine canning factory closed in 1973, so most of the stink is gone, but there is still plenty of nostalgia.
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Cannery Row
Cannery RowSteinbeck described the street as "a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream." The canneries failed after the collapse of the fishing industry in Monterey Bay in the mid-1950s, which resulted from a combination of factors, including unfavorable oceanic conditions, over-fishing, and competition from other species. In his investigation of where the sardines had gone, Ed Ricketts finally concluded "They're in cans." The last sardine canning factory closed in 1973, so most of the stink is gone, but there is still plenty of nostalgia.
Feed the chickens on 17th Street just up from Ocean View. Pellets of chicken food available in a bubble gum machine for a quarter.
17th Street
17th StreetFeed the chickens on 17th Street just up from Ocean View. Pellets of chicken food available in a bubble gum machine for a quarter.
18 mile mostly-coastal trail that follows the Southern Pacific Railway right of way. Starts at Lover’s Point, heads through Monterey near the Aquarium, and goes all the way to Castroville. Great place for a walk, run, or bike ride. Goes right past many points of interest, including murals, historical markers, the Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey’s Fisherman Wharf, and Hopkins Marine Station.
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Monterey Bay Recreation Trail North-North West Seal Lions
Monterey Bay Coastal Trail18 mile mostly-coastal trail that follows the Southern Pacific Railway right of way. Starts at Lover’s Point, heads through Monterey near the Aquarium, and goes all the way to Castroville. Great place for a walk, run, or bike ride. Goes right past many points of interest, including murals, historical markers, the Aquarium, Cannery Row, Monterey’s Fisherman Wharf, and Hopkins Marine Station.
One of the most scenic drives in the world. Free for bikes. $10.25 entrance fees for cars. Sights include Cypress Point, Bird Rock, Point Joe, Pescadero Point, Fanshell Beach, Seal Point, and Lone Cypress. And there are golf courses too.
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17 17 Mile Dr
17 17 Mile DriveOne of the most scenic drives in the world. Free for bikes. $10.25 entrance fees for cars. Sights include Cypress Point, Bird Rock, Point Joe, Pescadero Point, Fanshell Beach, Seal Point, and Lone Cypress. And there are golf courses too.
Arts & Culture
PBL was a biological supply house that sold preserved animals and prepared specimen microscope slides, many of which were of maritime aquatic species, to schools, museums, and research institutions. The building, activities, and business were fictionalized as "Western Biological Laboratory" by John Steinbeck in his novel Cannery Row, as was a character based on one of its founders, Ed Ricketts. Museums throughout the United States contain specimens collected by Doc Ricketts, including the Field Museum in Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, the California Academy of Sciences, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University and the Museum of
Pacific Biological Laboratories
800 Cannery RowPBL was a biological supply house that sold preserved animals and prepared specimen microscope slides, many of which were of maritime aquatic species, to schools, museums, and research institutions. The building, activities, and business were fictionalized as "Western Biological Laboratory" by John Steinbeck in his novel Cannery Row, as was a character based on one of its founders, Ed Ricketts. Museums throughout the United States contain specimens collected by Doc Ricketts, including the Field Museum in Chicago, the Smithsonian Institution, the California Academy of Sciences, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University and the Museum of
Perhaps the best aquarium in the world. Best known for their sea otters. The Octopus and jellyfish exhibits are also amazing. Open 10-5 on weekdays and 9:30-6 most weekends. Check out the sea otter feeding at 10:30 am and then the open sea feeding at 11 am. The Mysteries of the Deep presentation at 1 pm is also spectacular. Two guest passes are available for your use on the kitchen counter to the left of the oven. Please ensure that you return them after you have used them.
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Acquario di Monterey Bay
886 Cannery RowPerhaps the best aquarium in the world. Best known for their sea otters. The Octopus and jellyfish exhibits are also amazing. Open 10-5 on weekdays and 9:30-6 most weekends. Check out the sea otter feeding at 10:30 am and then the open sea feeding at 11 am. The Mysteries of the Deep presentation at 1 pm is also spectacular. Two guest passes are available for your use on the kitchen counter to the left of the oven. Please ensure that you return them after you have used them.
Shopping
Upscale, picturesque village filled with California centric art galleries, local wine tasting rooms, high-end shops and restaurants. Don’t forget your American Express. The Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza is worth a stop.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea
San Antonio AvenueUpscale, picturesque village filled with California centric art galleries, local wine tasting rooms, high-end shops and restaurants. Don’t forget your American Express. The Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza is worth a stop.
An endangered species – a neighborhood hardware store that is within walking distance and where you can get good personal service. At 229 Forest Ave.
Pacific Grove Hardware
229 Forest AveAn endangered species – a neighborhood hardware store that is within walking distance and where you can get good personal service. At 229 Forest Ave.
Essentials
The neighborhood market at 242 Forest Ave. Great to support the neighborhood market. Good meat counter.
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Grove Market
242 Forest AveThe neighborhood market at 242 Forest Ave. Great to support the neighborhood market. Good meat counter.
Safeway
815 Canyon Del Rey BlvdAt 1212 Forest Ave. Five minute drive.
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest Ave At 1170 Forest Ave. Five minute drive.
Cork N' Bottle
2210 N Fremont St1112 Forest Ave. Our second choice to find a good bottle of wine. Five minute drive.
Bottles N' Bins Liquors & Deli
898 Lighthouse Ave898 Lighthouse in Monterey. Best selection around. Five minute drive.