Where is Pacific Grove, California

Pacific Grove is a coastal city on California's Monterey Peninsula, located in Monterey County. It sits about 3 miles west of downtown Monterey and is known for its rocky shoreline, historic homes, tide pools, and marine wildlife. The city is also near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Point Pinos Lighthouse, making it a scenic part of the central California coast.

Location Map of Pacific Grove, Monterey County, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Pacific Grove in Monterey County, in the U.S. state of California.

Pacific Grove Map, California

Where is Pacific Grove Located?

Pacific Grove is a city located in Monterey County, California, the United States. It lies on the western side of the Monterey Peninsula, about 3 miles west of Monterey and roughly 5 miles north of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Salinas is about 20 miles northeast, while Big Sur is around 30 miles south. Pacific Grove is positioned near 36.618° North latitude and 121.916° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 15,090 residents. The city covers about 2.86 square miles, or 7.41 square kilometers. Pacific Grove has a rugged coastline with rocky beaches, tide pools, coastal trails, and views across Monterey Bay. Point Pinos Lighthouse, built in 1855, is one of its best-known landmarks and is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast. The city is also close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the protected waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Pacific Grove was incorporated in 1889. A unique fact about the city is its long connection with monarch butterflies, which gather in local coastal groves during their seasonal migration. Its Victorian homes, oceanfront paths, and marine habitats give Pacific Grove a distinctive character on the Monterey Peninsula.

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Pacific Grove City Facts

Distance from Pacific Grove, CA to Nearby Cities

• Monterey, CA – 3 miles (5 km)
• Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Seaside, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Del Rey Oaks, CA – 6 miles (10 km)
• Sand City, CA – 5 miles (8 km)
• Marina, CA – 10 miles (16 km)
• Salinas, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Gonzales, CA – 35 miles (56 km)
• Castroville, CA – 20 miles (32 km)
• Soledad, CA – 50 miles (80 km)
• King City, CA – 80 miles (129 km)
• Santa Cruz, CA – 45 miles (72 km)
• Watsonville, CA – 40 miles (64 km)
• Gilroy, CA – 55 miles (89 km)
• San Jose, CA – 75 miles (121 km)
• Big Sur, CA – 30 miles (48 km)
• San Francisco, CA – 120 miles (193 km)
• Santa Barbara, CA – 230 miles (370 km)

Top Attractions in Pacific Grove

• Point Pinos Lighthouse – A historic lighthouse built in 1855 and recognized as the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium – A major marine science and conservation center on Cannery Row featuring sea otters, kelp forests, sharks, penguins, and other marine life.
• Lovers Point Park – A waterfront park with rocky shoreline, beaches, picnic areas, walking paths, and views across Monterey Bay.
• Asilomar State Beach – A scenic coastal area with sandy beaches, rocky shores, tide pools, and the nearby Asilomar Coast Trail.
• Monarch Grove Sanctuary – A protected grove where thousands of monarch butterflies have historically gathered during their seasonal migration.
• 17-Mile Drive – A scenic coastal route through the Monterey Peninsula with ocean overlooks, beaches, forests, and famous landmarks.
• Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History – A local museum featuring exhibits on Monterey County wildlife, plants, geology, and natural history.
• Old Fisherman's Wharf – A nearby Monterey waterfront attraction with harbor views, seafood restaurants, shops, and opportunities for marine wildlife watching.

Airports Near Pacific Grove, CA

• Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) – 10 miles
• Salinas Municipal Airport (SNS) – 20 miles
• Watsonville Municipal Airport (WVI) – 45 miles
• Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) – 75 miles
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 120 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Pacific Grove city website and local government records.

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