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Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove History

   Each year in Southern California, the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano. A similar event happens along the Central Coast, when the monarchs make their annual pilgrimage to Pacific Grove.
   The black-and-orange-winged butterflies arrive each October to spend their winter in this seaside community. No one knows how long the monarchs have been visiting, but it was first noted in 1875, when a group of Methodists set up a summer church camp in the region.
   That small summer camp grew into a year-round retreat, and Pacific Grove was formally incorporated as a city in 1889. At the time, there were 1,300 permanent residents, most of whom were Methodist. Although residents from other denominations eventually moved to Pacific Grove, the church's influence remained strong in the community. Alcohol was prohibited within the city limits until 1969, making it the last "dry" city in California, and widespread community involvement has earned Pacific Grove the nickname of  "The Last Hometown."
   The "hometown" nickname also applies to the business community in Pacific Grove. The downtown area is comprised of several locally owned stores, and many have been owned by the same family for generations. The small-town environment will make you feel at home whether you're just passing through (like the migrating monarchs) or you're here to stay.

Activities

   Although Pacific Grove is famous for its butterflies, there are plenty of other activities to fill your days in this scenic coastal town.
  The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is open year-round, but the best time to visit is October through March, when clusters of butterflies can be seen on local pines and eucalyptus. Admission is free, and it's a wonderful place to take the family.
   Other family-friendly activities can be found at Pacific Grove's Museum of Natural History, which has exhibits on geology, Native Americans, and indigenous plants and animals.
   Point Pinos is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. The beacon has illuminated the Pacific coast since 1855, long before the inception of Pacific Grove.
   The main beach in Pacific Grove is Asilomar State Beach, which is a great spot for hiking, biking and fishing. Because Asilomar is part of the Pacific Grove Fish Garden Refuge and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, there are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife in its natural habitat.
   Another popular beach is located at Lovers Point Park, which is located on the northeast side of town. Unlike the rough water on the south end of the Monterey Peninsula, the water here is fit for swimming.
   Pacific Grove Golf Links offers 18 holes that rival the scenery at neighboring Pebble Beach. This is another spot where you might catch a glimpse of native wildlife -- deer are often seen grazing on the grounds.
   Pebble Beach is known for its famed 17-Mile Drive, and Pacific Grove has its own scenic roadway. Ocean View Boulevard offers a similar view of trees, surf and sand, but unlike its Pebble Beach counterpart, this road is free to travelers, earning it the nickname "The Poor Man's 17-Mile Drive."
   The Feast of Lanterns, usually held the last weekend in July, is an Asian-themed festival featuring a pageant and family-oriented entertainment. Other annual events include the museum's Wildflower Show, the Concours Auto Rally, the Seagate Triathlon and the Good Old Days Celebration.

Pacific Grove Fast Facts

   Location: Pacific Grove is located on Monterey Bay, about 74 miles south of San Jose
  *Total area: 4.01 square miles (2.87 square miles land area; 1.14 square miles water area)
  *Population: 15,522
  *Housing units: 8,032
   Average annual rainfall: 20.35 inches
   Average temperatures: 62ºF in summer, 51ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are five public schools in Pacific Grove: two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools.

Beaches

   Asilomar State Beach is the main beach in Pacific Grove. The name means "a refuge by the sea," and it certainly holds true. The narrow one-mile strip of sand is surrounded by a large pine forest, offering hiking, biking, fishing and beachcombing.
   If you want to take a dip, head to Lovers Point. This 4.4-acre park has a small beachfront that offers swimming, fishing, surfing and other watersports.

Maps of Pacific Grove

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