Set on the beautiful Montery Peninsula in the Pacific, Pacific Grove is an affluent coastal city and suburb to her neighbors, Monterey and Salinas. Known for its beautiful coastline, Victorian homes, and plethora of historic locations, Pacific Grove is the picturesque paradise that many imagine when they think of northern California. Initially founded in 1875 as a Methodist retreat modeled after Ocean Grove in New Jersey, which the community also derived its name from, the future city’s idyllic surroundings brought many of America’s well-to-do folks to come here for vacationing. It has retained that idyllic character to this very day, and still attracts the wealthy from all over. With a unique culture, safe communities, and plenty to do and see, moving to Pacific Grove is a wise choice!
Where is Pacific Grove, CA?
Pacific Grove is in Monterey County, bordering Monterey to the south-east. Pacific Grove is located within the Salinas, CA metro area. Pacific Grove is bordered to the south by Del Monte Forest, and, beside its aforementioned border with Monterey, is entirely surrounded by ocean on a peninsula. The distance from Pacific Grove, CA to Monterey, CA is a short 2 mile drive.
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Pacific Grove, CA Population & Demographics
The population of Pacific Grove is 14,988 distributed over 3 miles at a population density of about 5,400 people per square mile. The median age here is 48.3, and 11.2% of residents are foreign born, 40% of whom come from Asia. 55% of Pacific Grove’s population has a bachelor’s degree or higher certification – it should come as little surprise that such an affluent area is well educated. Pacific Grove’s population has shrunk by 0.8% since 2010.
The demographics of Pacific Grove’s population are somewhat homogeneous, with Whites making up 77% of the community’s population. The second largest demographic, meanwhile, is Hispanics, at 11%. Pacific Grove’s male/female gender ratio is skewed towards women, at 54%.
Notable people from Pacific Grove include children’s book illustrator Paul Fleischman, late musician Frank Zappa, Westworld actor Josh Randall, and film director Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Is Pacific Grove, CA safe? Those high costs have their benefits, the main one being that Pacific Grove is an incredibly safe community to live in! Pacific Grove’s overall crime rate is 53% lower than national average (and the state of CA), with 1,173 crimes annually per 100,000 people. The property crime rate is 49% lower than the national average, while the violent crime rate is 76% lower. The community of Pacific Grove is served by the Pacific Grove Police Department, with 21 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Pacific Grove, CA
The Salinas, CA metro area is an expensive area in California, a state that is already expensive. If you’re planning on living here, be sure your wallet is thick enough! The cost of living index for Pacific Grove is 94% higher than the national average. The median home price in Pacific Grove is $897,000, which is 1.5 times the average California home price of $538,500. According to RentCafe, the average rent in Pacific Grove is $2,502 per month.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four will need a yearly income of $114,198 to live here.
If you want to make yourself a part of this community, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Pacific Grove, CA.
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Pacific Grove, CA Everyday Expenses
Want to know what sort of daily expenses you’ll be paying in Pacific Grove? Check out these everyday expenses for Pacific Grove, provided by Numbeo.
- Gallon of Milk – $4.33
- Loaf of Bread – $3.57
- Gallon of Gasoline – $6.23
- Average Pacific Grove Utilities per Month – $222.54
- Internet per Month – $72.93
Pacific Grove, CA Neighborhoods
Owing to its relatively small size, Pacific Grove’s compactness doesn’t lend itself well to the development of distinct neighborhoods. However, if you want to know about real estate in Pacific Grove, California, you can learn about the general situation below:
Firstly, no matter where you choose to live in Pacific Grove, it will always be affluent, high class, and beautiful. However, the Pacific Grove Acres area, set on the farthest reach of the Monterey Peninsula, has the most expensive properties, owing to their access to the best views in the city. The western area of Pacific Grove, by comparison, is slightly more affordable.
Pacific Grove, CA Climate & Weather
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, Pacific Grove is a cold-summer Mediterranean climate. This part of California is considered heaven on earth for its lovely weather, and Pacific Grove is no different! You can expect lows of 43 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 67 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Pacific Grove gets less than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with 18 inches per year as compared to 38. Pacific Grove will not usually experience snow. The best times to visit Pacific Grove, in terms of comfort rating, are August and September.
Pacific Grove and nearby cities like Monterey and Salinas are at higher risk of earthquakes than the rest of the country. Other than that, Pacific Grove does not generally experience any other extreme weather events.
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Things to Do in Pacific Grove, CA
Want to know about the best things to do in Pacific Grove, CA? Check out great shopping near and in the community like the Fairway Shopping Center for general needs. Pacific Grove is also well-known for a variety of mom-and-pop special stores that offer all sorts of products and services! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Pacific Grove, CA below:
Lovers Point Park
A primary draw of Pacific Grove is its coast, and this beach on one of the juts of the peninsula, with rental bikes, kayaks, surfboards, as well as great swimming, is a great example of that!
Lovers Point Park, 631 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Asilomar State Beach
One of the aspects that makes Pacific Grove so unique is the rockiness of its coastline, making for an otherworldly beautiful coast. Asilomar State Beach is a wonderful demonstration of that natural beauty, while still having all the family-friendly activities of a normal beach!
Asilomar State Beach, Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (831) 646-6440
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary
One of the most enchanting things about Pacific Grove to the first people in the area was the flood of monarch butterflies that would flood the area during certain parts of the year. If you want to see this miracle of nature yourself, come to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary!
Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, 250 Ridge Rd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (831) 648-5716
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Pacific Grove, CA Additional Attractions:
Pacific Grove is served by the City of Pacific Grove Parks & Recreation Department. See all the events that are planned in Pacific Grove with the Pacific Grove community calendar.
Places to Eat in Pacific Grove, CA
Alongside its host of things to do, Pacific Grove is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some of the best places to eat in Pacific Grove, California below:
FISHWIFE
A rather oddly named establishment, FISHWIFE is a casual seafood eatery that serves dishes from the ocean with a Carribean touch.
FISHWIFE, 1996 1/2 Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (831) 375-7107
Il Vecchio
What city would be complete without a proper Italian restaurant? Il Vecchio is an upscale example of food from the old country, especially priding themselves on their housemade pasta.
Il Vecchio, 110 Central Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (831) 324-4282
Beach House
Serving a wide variety of uniquely Californian dishes in an open and modern environment, Beach House is especially beloved because of its excellent views of Lovers Point.
Beach House, 620 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, (831) 375-2345
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Pacific Grove, CA Schools
Pacific Grove is served by the Pacific Grove Unified School District, which has 75% of its schools rated as “Above Average” by GreatSchools, although that should hardly come as a surprise for an area so affluent. Notable schools in the area include Robert Down Elementary, Pacific Grove Middle School, and Pacific Grove High.
Students and others in Pacific Grove are served by the Pacific Grove Public Library.
Jobs in Pacific Grove, CA
Pacific Grove itself is not much of an economic hub, but you’ll find plenty of economic opportunity in nearby Monterey and Salinas! According to Payscale, the most popular positions of employment are Elementary School Teacher, Finance Manager, and Marketing Manager. There is no data on what the most popular employers in Pacific Grove are. The average salary for a worker in Pacific Grove is $69k a year, while the average hourly wage is $22.43.
See the latest openings for jobs in Pacific Grove here.
Map of Pacific Grove, CA
Explore Pacific Grove’s large variety of things to do, places to eat, and more with this map!
Pacific Grove, CA Statistics & Information
- Pacific Grove county: Monterey
- Area: 4 square miles
- Pacific Grove zip code: 93950
- Area code: 831
- Elevation: 151 feet
- Time zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest airport: Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), 12 miles from Pacific Grove
Want to get started on your journey moving to Pacific Grove, California? Call Southbay Moving Systems at 831-786-5537! Our Pacific Grove movers are top of the line, professional, and will make any sort of move you can throw at them a simple and quick affair! Call now or fill out our online form for a free quote!
