What to do in Pacific Grove, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove which includes rugged coastline
Pacific Grove featuring rugged coastline and a coastal town
Pacific Grove which includes shopping

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.

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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.
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Monterey Bay Aquarium showing marine life and interior views

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.
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Monterey which includes a sandy beach and a bay or harbour

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.
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Asilomar State Beach featuring a beach, rugged coastline and general coastal views

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.
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Point Pinos Lighthouse showing general coastal views and a lighthouse

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.
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Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History showing interior views

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Recommended things to do in Pacific Grove

Number of things to do
58
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: CA $9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Pacific Grove

Discover the most popular places to visit in Pacific Grove

Monterey Bay Aquarium which includes interior views and marine life

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, you’ll find a spectacular window into life both above and below the waves.

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Lovers Point featuring rugged coastline

Lovers Point

Enjoy a day of sun and surf at this beautiful beach, which is one of the few places on the U.S. west coast where you can watch the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean.

Lovers Point
Point Pinos Lighthouse showing general coastal views and a lighthouse

Point Pinos Lighthouse

Experience a piece of American maritime history with a tour of one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast.

Point Pinos Lighthouse
The butterflies have once again returned to California to over winter , read up about their incredible life history and marvel about our incredible world .

Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary

Enjoy a trip to Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary and popular activities like golfing in Pacific Grove. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary
Waves break along the rocky coastal shores of the Monterey Bay, at Asilomar Beach, in Pacific Grove, along the central coast of California, close the the Big Sur coast and Highway 1.

Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve during your travels to Pacific Grove.

Asilomar Dunes Nature Preserve
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History showing interior views

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Step into a field guide to the Californian Central Coast, packed with local birdlife, marine life and Native American culture.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
View of a cove on Sunset Cliffs Blvd. in San Diego, CA.

Oceanview Boulevard

Oceanview Boulevard is just one of the places to see in Pacific Grove, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in this romantic area.

Oceanview Boulevard

Pacific Grove Golf Links

Enjoy a round of golf in Pacific Grove at Pacific Grove Golf Links. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the seafood restaurants while you're in the area.

Pacific Grove Golf Links

American Tin Cannery

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at American Tin Cannery during your trip to Pacific Grove. Amble around the area's seaside or seek out the golf courses.

American Tin Cannery

Explore areas of Pacific Grove

Sunset

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.

Town Center
View from the Aquarium in Monterey. Even on an overcast day it’s pretty incredible.

Retreat

If you're spending some time in Retreat, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monterey Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Retreat
#ontheroad. From the bus as we headed to 17mile drive.

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 Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary.

Beach Tract
The butterflies have once again returned to California to over winter , read up about their incredible life history and marvel about our incredible world .

Grove Acres

When in Grove Acres, you can plan a visit to Monterey Bay Aquarium and Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Grove Acres
Perkins Park, Monterey Bay, & Pacific Grove

Asilomar Dunes

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

Asilomar Dunes
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Sunset

While Sunset isn't home to many top sights, Monterey Bay Aquarium and Asilomar State Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Sunset

 

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

The Lone Cypress, seen from the 17 Mile Drive, in Pebble Beach, California.; Shutterstock ID 438920428

Pebble Beach

Carmel Beach which includes general coastal views, landscape views and a sandy beach

Monterey

Succulent springtime

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.