It would be inaccurate to say that Pacific Grove, the town where Lovers Point sits jutting into the Monterey Bay, is undiscovered. Just visit that famous, romantic landmark on the weekend to see how many people know about this spot.
But Pacific Grove as a travel destination has generally stayed pretty quiet despite its gorgeous location and lengthy history. It’s a town that feels like a step back in time, with a quaint, Main Street kind of vibe where art, community, and longtime locally owned businesses prevail.
That makes it notable—but not surprising—to see a recent boom in new openings here. PG is having a moment. Our modern guide to Pacific Grove walks you through where to stay, where to eat and drink, and what to do while there.
Where to Stay in Pacific Grove
The brand new Kimpton Mirador
(Courtesy of Kimpton Mirador)
Opened in February 2026, the new 99-room Kimpton Mirador hotel, their first branded property on the Central Coast, feels slick, shiny, clean, and untouched. Simple, understated decor features soft textiles and solid, strong colors. The hallways are carpeted in a light green pattern evocative of butterfly wings, while the architecture nods to California Spanish Revival. Notable elements include amazing-smelling Atelier Bloem bath products, soft Egyptian cotton robes, and bar sets with nice glassware, as well as Kimpton signatures like yoga mats in every room. Also, this property is very pet friendly—so much so that they require no deposit or fee.
A social hour every day in the lobby offers tastes of local wine and special bites (on my visit there were mini cones of steak tartare topped with aioli and mushroom tarts). It’s a lovely space, with a high-ceilinged sitting area with a fireplace, couches, giant arched windows, and healthy house plants that feels like a posh living room. Along the back wall is a long green velvet bench with a few marble-topped tables, a perfect nook for coffee or a glass of pinot.
A modern fitness center and partnership with Monterey Bay Moves provides free yoga, sound baths, and Pilates classes for guests daily. On Fridays, there’s a public sound bath in the outdoor courtyard during happy hour—what seems like it’s becoming a local secret.
// 150 Fountain Ave., hmiradorhotelpacificgrove.com
Where to Eat in Pacific Grove
The Caledonian at Kimpton Mirador
(Courtesy of Kimpton Mirador)
The Caledonian
The signature restaurant at the Kimpton Mirador is The Caledonian, named after the historic Caledonia Club. Local, seasonal ingredients are highlighted by executive chef Aaron Rayor, along with crafty cocktails and a nice wine list mostly from California and France. The martini service (actually just a martini, but fancied up with olive oil-washed Belvedere, rosemary, and castelvetrano olives) is a fun, on-trend throwback.
The restaurant space is classy and feels almost hidden, slightly sunken even though it’s connected to the hotel. Tall ceilings draped with vines, mood lighting, and lots of curved accents make it feel sexy. The bustling, marble-topped, J-shaped bar on one side of the restaurant is a fun spot to sit to enjoy bites like the Italian-inspired gnudi (who doesn’t like fried cheese?), oysters Rockefeller, and herbed potato wedges. // 150 Fountain Ave., caledonianpacificgrove.com
Hops & Fog Brewing Co.
Lively, popular watering hole Hops & Fog Brewing Co. opened in 2024 with their own brews plus favorite local beers from folks like Alvarado and Other Brother. Seasonal food is all housemade, including fun sauces like garlicky toum for dipping sourdough pizza crusts. They feature farmers market specials like a weekly salad (on my visit it was a warm salad of broccolini, snap peas, spring onion, pesto, stracciatella, slivered almonds, and edible flowers) and seasonally inspired pizza. Standouts include the lemon artichoke pizza and giant sandwiches made on folded pizza dough (not calzones, panuozzos). The BBLT with local Bakers bacon is a winner and there’s housemade cream sodas for the kiddos. // 511 Lighthouse Ave., hopsandfog.beer
Rudolfo’s is a neighborhood favorite with sweet sidewalk patio seating and indoor cafe space serving excellent homemade fresh pasta, sourdough pizzas, and fried chicken—which may or may not sound incongruous until you understand the backstory of chef Rudolfo (Rudy) Ponce. The Monterey County native grew up working with his dad at the Fisherman's Grotto, then set out for more culinary training under acclaimed chefs in Napa Valley. Ponce returned to the peninsula and launched a fried chicken sandwich popup during Covid that was so popular, he was able to open his own brick-and-mortar on PG’s main strip in 2023. It’s not to be missed. // 543 Lighthouse Ave., rudolfoseatery.com
A few more new and notable places to check out include: Spotted Duck (542 Lighthouse Ave.), a brasserie opened by longtime chef Jerry Regester in 2023; La Côte Bleue (209 Forest Ave.), a seafood-centric bistro that opened in March; and Crema (631 Ocean View Blvd.), a brunchy spot that just opened in a very anticipated location in Lovers Point Park. // Soon to come (estimated opening this fall) is another Appellation hotel location by chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality pro Christopher Hunsberger, joining the family of Appellation locations now open in Healdsburg and Lodi, and soon to come in Morgan Hill, Petaluma, and Park City, Utah.
Coffee, Cafes + Treats in Pacific Grove
Happy Girl Kitchen
(Michelle Magdalena)
Happy Girl Kitchen
On your way in or out of town, stop at Happy Girl Kitchen, pioneers of preserves, pickles, and the zero waste philosophy. Owners Jordan and Todd Champagne opened this beloved vegetarian cafe and bakery space in 2010, holding classes and community events as well as selling their HGK labeled goods in a little store onsite and at local farmers markets. They recently got news that the building was up for sale, and with the prospect of getting kicked out, they launched a fundraiser to buy it. To everyone’s relief, they surpassed their $200k goal. // 173 Central Ave., happygirlkitchen.com
Colette’s
Colette’s ice cream is a brand new scoop shop with bright and cheerful branding. It was opened in 2025 by Nicole and Roy Ballesteros, local business owners who always had a dream of having an ice cream shop (Colette is their youngest daughter). They make classic flavors with a couple of fun twists, like the black chocolate cone that adds the magic of the best part of an Oreo cookie to your scoop. You can also find ice cream sandwiches and great espresso drinks. // 520 Lighthouse Ave., colettesicecream.com
Captain & Stoker
This Captain & Stoker is one of two locations opened in 2022 of Monterey County’s favorite third wave coffee roaster with a very inspiring backstory. They’ve got a great espresso program, coffee, and pastries by local bakeries like Ad Astra, Parker Lusseau, and Nece’s GF. It’s a tiny space but perfect for grabbing a drink to take to the beach. // 206 Forest Ave., captainandstoker.com
Pavel’s Backerei
Pavel’s Backerei is an old world, old-school bakery that brought visitors to PG just for giant pastries and breads long before the town was on many people's radar. Pavel’s has been open since 1997, and to much dismay, has cut their operating hours down to only Saturdays from 7am to 4pm. Expect a line and stock up. // 219 Forest Ave., facebook.com/PavelsBackerei
For such a small town, there’s a huge proportion of breakfast places to choose from in Pacific Grove. Winston’s (602 Lighthouse Ave.) opened in 2022 and quickly rose to the top of that list for its big portions of well-made classics. Try the goat cheese omelette, homemade biscuits, and lemon ricotta pancakes. // Other notable spots to try are Red House Cafe (662 Lighthouse Ave.), First Awakenings (300 David Ave.), and Aliotti's Victorian Corner (541 Lighthouse Ave.), the longest operating restaurant in Pacific Grove, open since 1977. If you like Belgian waffles, this is your place.
What To Do in Pacific Grove
Lighthouse Avenue is Pacific Grove's bustling Main Street.
(Courtesy of SeeMonterey.com)
Walk, Run, Bike
There’s a lot to do and enjoy here, from simply walking along the main downtown strip on Lighthouse Avenue to striking out along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, the 18-mile stretch of coastline that follows the same route as the old Southern Pacific Railway. This trail is a great way to get to the popular Monterey attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and Fisherman's Wharf to the south. Or you can go the other direction, passing Point Pinos Lighthouse and curving around to Asilomar State Marine Reserve Spanish Bay, for a three-mile journey. Start by walking down any of the small streets perpendicular to the ocean, passing historic homes with plaques dating them as late as the 1890s.
Art & Museums
Plan your visit for the first Friday of every month to celebrate the arts. PG just celebrated 16 years of First Friday, their open studio-type event for folks to get out and support local artists. There are many places open along the First Friday route, but definitely visit the PG Art Center, a two-story loft-like building housing multiple studios that feels collaborative and collective. // 568 Lighthouse Ave., pgartcenter.org
The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History opened in 1883, making it one of the oldest natural history museums in the entire country. It is conveniently located just steps from the new hotel, and packed with a diverse array of historical artifacts and information. A gorgeous collection of local flora and fauna, displayed in an immersive way that will make you feel like you are stepping into a fantasy land. // 165 Forest Ave., pgmuseum.org
PG’s small downtown grid is perfect for meandering and shopping. The Victorian-style buildings house art galleries, boutiques, and antique stores, and you’ll have no problem spending hours browsing and discovering a few gems. For the gents, head down to Saint Addiction (178 Grand Ave.), a “curated men’s boutique” with stylish clothes, jewelry, and shoes. // For anyone who likes the hunt of thrifting but wants things a little sorted first, there’s The Grove Emporium (472 Lighthouse Ave.), which has some amazing vintage finds in a lofty, open-floored, two-story building. Masterfully displayed and curated, this place keeps you discovering and reminiscing, uncovering everything from Fiestaware dishes to perfectly worn Levi’s to costume jewelry, and much, much more. // Habitat (169 Fountain Ave., Ste. A) is another cool, artist-owned and -curated spot with eclectic vintage pieces, housewares, and hand-printed t-shirts that’s conveniently located directly across from the hotel. // If vinyl is your thing, you’ll find two shops right near each other. Pop & Hiss (215 Forest Ave.) has a good selection of records to browse in a lounge-like setting with a low-key bar in the back. They also have listening stations and serve as an all-ages music venue with a regular roster of visiting DJs. // Vinyl Revolution (309 Forest Ave.) feels like a classic record shop, where you might also find a concert poster or your next favorite used CD (if you can still play it on something).
Fall in Love
And, of course, there’s Lovers Point, a place you have to go at least once as many people have done since the late 1800s. Today you can expect crowds on the weekends—who you will probably see doing silly things like feeding the very tame squirrels and birds that hover around the park—but it is still a beautiful place to take in the view as PG’s most famous place. Try to get there at dawn, as this unique east-facing location is one of the only spots on the West Coast where you can watch the sun rise over the water. / 631 Ocean View Blvd., cityofpacificgrove.org
