Major city · United States
Pacific Grove
Base here 2 nights if you want a quiet, walkable coast town; day-trippers should come for the butterfly sanctuary and Point Pinos, then sleep in Monterey.
Pacific Grove is a small coastal town on the Monterey Peninsula, west of Monterey and north of Carmel. It is known for Victorian houses, the Point Pinos Lighthouse and a monarch butterfly overwintering site. Most of it is walkable, and it works best as a quiet base for 2 nights while you explore Monterey, Carmel and the coast.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (rain), Jul–Aug (fog and crowds)
- Airports
- MRY · SFO · SJC
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pacific Grove911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pacific Grove Police (non-emergency)831-648-3143
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pacific Grove, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a US coastal town; the real risks are cold water, rip currents, cliff edges and summer fog on the coastal road.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 831-648-3143 Pacific Grove Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMRY Monterey Regional Airport (About a 10-minute taxi ride from Pacific Grove; small airport with limited routes.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small and mostly walkable or bikeable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range, without alcohol$25–50
- BeerBeer or glass of wine$8–15
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History)$9 adult, $6 student/youth (check)
- Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MRY Monterey Regional Airport (About a 10-minute taxi ride from Pacific Grove; small airport with limited routes.) · SFO San Francisco International Airport (About 2–2.5 h by car; the main gateway for most international arrivals.) · SJC San Jose Mineta International Airport (About 1.5–2 h by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Dec (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pacific Grove: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small and mostly walkable or bikeable. Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) routes 1, 1X and 2 connect Pacific Grove with Monterey and the peninsula, but all connections go via downtown Monterey. A car helps for Carmel, Pebble Beach and 17-Mile Drive.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20–30 min
MST bus 1, 1X or 2, or a 10-minute drive
Cannery Row, the aquarium and the wharf.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min by car
Drive via Ocean View Blvd and CA-1, or MST connections via Monterey
Beach, mission and shops; parking is tight in summer.
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive south of Carmel beach
Coastal walk and views back toward Point Lobos.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Drive via CA-68 and US-101
Useful for the airport and Steinbeck sights, not a scenic stop.
Moss Landing
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Drive north on CA-1
Elkhorn Slough and sea otters; go early.
Seaside
skipDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive or MST bus via Monterey
Mostly residential and retail; no reason to detour.
King City
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive south on US-101
A highway stop, not a day out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Lighthouse Avenue
Walkable to restaurants and shops; best for a short stay without a car.
Asilomar / Point Pinos
Quieter, near the beach and lighthouse; more motels and inns with parking.
Ocean View Boulevard
Coastal views and the recreation trail; higher prices.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $140–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| MST bus day pass2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| 17-Mile Drive entry, per car1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$110 |
| Trip total≈ US$303 per person per day, bed included | US$1,212 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Casual lunch | $15–25 |
| Dinner, mid-range, without alcohol | $25–50 |
| Beer or glass of wine | $8–15 |
| Museum entry (Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History) | $9 adult, $6 student/youth (check) |
| Point Pinos Lighthouse entry | $2 adult, $1 child (check) |
| Taxi Monterey Airport → Pacific Grove | $25–40 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Coastal water is cold year-round: swimming is not advised, but diving and tide-pooling are popular.
- Summer fog can hide the coast until midday; plan indoor sights for the morning.
- 17-Mile Drive charges an entry fee and does not allow motorcycles.
- Book lodging early for summer and event weekends; the town is small.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Pacific Grove Police (non-emergency)
- 831-648-3143
Pocket card
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Pacific GrovePacific Grove
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pacific Grove Police (non-emergency)831-648-3143
Embassy
No embassies in Pacific Grove; consulates are in San Francisco. US travellers: contact your state or local services.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MST bus Monterey → Pacific Grove: about $2–3 one way (check)
- Taxi Monterey Airport → Pacific Grove: $25–40 (check)
- 17-Mile Drive entry, per car: about $12 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking here? — Is there parking here?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pacific Grove. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (rain), Jul–Aug (fog and crowds) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MRY and SFO: last MST departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Lighthouse Avenue, Lover's Point, Asilomar and Point Pinos.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Monarch Sanctuary, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History) and eat pages with last orders.
- Fog and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.