What to do in Pacific Grove, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

A red brick building with a white porch, a brick chimney, and an American flag.
A coastal road with a wooden fence, clear blue water, rocky shoreline, and houses in the background.
A rocky coastline with a residential area in the background.
A street lined with colorful Victorian-style buildings, including a clothing store and a pizzeria.
A coastal landscape with rugged, layered rock formations and a turbulent sea.

Pacific Grove Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Pacific Grove has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Pacific Grove is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Pacific Grove to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Pacific Grove Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Pacific Grove.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Pacific Grove attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

CA $104
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

CA $90
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

CA $109
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr
Picture 1 for Activity Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise

CA $131
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

CA $32
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
Catamaran Sailing Cruise in Monterey

Catamaran Sailing Cruise in Monterey

CA $90
per adult
Catamaran Sailing Cruise in Monterey
Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey

Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey

CA $14
per adult
Monterey Self-Guided Walking Tour Cannery Row to Old Monterey
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Top places to visit

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium showcases more than 35,000 animals and plants across 550 species. You’ll discover all kinds of local wildlife here, including fish of all sizes, invertebrates, mammals and plants.
Learn more
A circular glass structure with a blue center and a patterned exterior.

2. Lovers Point

It is easy to see why visitors and local residents alike have flocked to Lovers Point Park and Beach for over a century. With myriad things to see and do, this is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of mid-coast California.
Learn more
A coastal beach with people, a rocky shoreline, and houses in the background.

3. Asilomar State Beach

Asilomar State Beach is a narrow one-mile (1.6-kilometer) strip of petite beaches, tidal pools and flora-rich sand dunes on the Monterey Peninsula. Follow the Asilomar Coast Trail, which runs along the dog-friendly beach. Explore the pools at low tide, and look for seals and sea lions sunning on the rocks.
Learn more
A rocky beach with waves, a person with a surfboard, and a chain-link fence.

4. Point Pinos Lighthouse

Point Pinos Lighthouse, built in 1854, is the oldest lighthouse in continuous use on the West Coast of the U.S. The site is at the edge of beautiful Monterey Bay, surrounded by a picturesque and sometimes dramatic shoreline and is listed on the National Register for Historic Places.
Learn more
A white lighthouse with a green door and windows, a small white building with a green door, and an American flag.

5. Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History offers insight into the local animal and plant life, geology and human history of Pacific Grove and the surrounding areas. The museum’s roots date back to a group of ecologically- and historically-minded locals in 1879. Today, it’s grown into a dynamic center that inspires wonder, discovery and stewardship.
Learn more
A museum with a large bear exhibit, a balcony with bird displays, and informational signs about Monterey County birds.

Recommended things to do in Pacific Grove

Number of things to do
88
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: CA $12
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Pacific Grove

Stay near popular Pacific Grove attractions

A circular glass structure with a blue center and a patterned exterior.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

9.2/10 (5,928 reviews)
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.
See properties

Where to stay in Pacific Grove

Find the best Pacific Grove areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Pacific Grove
Learn more about Pacific Grove
A street lined with colorful Victorian-style buildings, including a clothing store and a pizzeria.

Town Center

If you're spending some time in Town Center, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History and Jameson's Classic Motorcycle Museum are top sights worth seeing.
A coastal landscape with a large cluster of aloe plants and red flowers on a rocky outcrop, overlooking the ocean.
Photo by Mel Vin
Open Photo by Mel Vin

Beach Tract

While there might not be top attractions in Beach Tract, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row.
A rocky coastline with waves crashing against the rocks, a sandy beach, and yellow flowers in the foreground.
Photo by TnT Travel
Open Photo by TnT Travel

Retreat

If you're spending some time in Retreat, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey Bay are top sights worth seeing.
Two monarch butterflies on a red flower with green leaves.
Photo by Darwindog96
Open Photo by Darwindog96

Grove Acres

When in Grove Acres, you can plan a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
A coastal landscape with a sandy beach, rocky outcrops, and yellow flowers in the foreground.
Photo by The Adventures Of Maia
Open Photo by The Adventures Of Maia

Asilomar Dunes

If you're spending some time in Asilomar Dunes, Monterey Bay and Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve are top sights worth seeing.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Pacific Grove

A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, dense green foliage, and the ocean.

Pebble Beach

A sandy beach with footprints, a wooden fence, and a clear blue sky.

Monterey

A stack of smooth, rounded stones on a pebbly beach with waves in the background.

Del Monte Forest

Frequently asked questions

Is Pacific Grove worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Pacific Grove is visit Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tick this leading attraction off your itinerary, then discover more of this area's nature and views.
How do I spend a day in Pacific Grove?
Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are two great places to kick-start your getaway adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Pacific Grove while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Pacific Grove?
Don't leave without checking out Monterey Bay Aquarium, rated the top tourist attraction in Pacific Grove.
Is three days enough to stay in Pacific Grove?
Three days in Pacific Grove is more than enough to enjoy the city's key attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row and Carmel Beach are highly rated sights. Want to discover more? Hang around a while longer to explore nearby hotspots such as Monterey.
Is Pacific Grove a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Pacific Grove, such as Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row, are within walking distance. You can also discover several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 3 kilometres from central Pacific Grove is Downtown Monterey and Monterey Vista is 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Pacific Grove with kids?
If you are after sights and activities for all ages, have a look at these great ideas for what to do in Pacific Grove with kids.

What to do in Pacific Grove for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or thrill seeker, there are plenty of things to do in Pacific Grove for adults including Folktale Winery and Vineyards and Ventana Vineyards Tasting Room.
Are there free things to do in Pacific Grove?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Pacific Grove is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can experience without reaching for your wallet. Cannery Row is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.