Smithsonian Magazine recently named Pacific Grove, California, one of the United States’ best small towns to visit in 2025. From the town’s monarch butterfly overwintering sanctuary to the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast, there’s much to discover in this small coastal town near Monterey.
Pacific Grove is the only California town named to Smithsonian Magazine‘s list; although, there is one more West Coast contender in Tieton, Washington, known for its annual Día de los Muertos celebration and orchard surroundings. As for California’s inclusion, keep reading to find out more about what makes Pacific Grove stand out.
Butterfly Town, U.S.A.
If you grew up in California, you’re likely acquainted with the monarch butterfly migration, where thousands of monarch butterflies travel from their breeding grounds west of the Rocky Mountains to the California coast in search of a milder winter. Every year between October and February, monarchs cluster in overwintering sites including Pacific Grove, Pismo Beach, and Santa Cruz. Pacific Grove’s Monarch Grove Sanctuary is one of California’s largest publicly accessible such sites.
The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is free to visit and ADA accessible, offering a first-hand look at the butterflies as they cluster in eucalyptus, pine, and cypress trees. Knowledgeable docents are on site to answer questions and teach the public about this stunning and distinctly Californian natural phenomenon.
Due to habitat loss, the monarch butterfly population has declined significantly over the decades. While 2021 and 2022 saw an estimated 200,000-335,000 monarchs in California, that number was reduced to only about 9,100 in 2023-2024. Conservation groups are hard at work to help monarch populations rebound.
Coastal offerings
Pacific Grove’s location on the California coast makes for some unbelievably scenic vistas and recreational opportunities. Here are a few essential places and sights to seek out if you want to make the most of it.
- Asilomar State Beach – A one-mile-long beach with tide pools, rocky coves, and walking trails
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail – An 18-mile paved path between Castroville and Pacific Grove, popular for walking, jogging, biking, and wildlife watching
- Lovers Point Park – A 4.4-acre, landscaped community park with a beach popular among kayakers, surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers
- Point Pinos – A great birdwatching spot where you can look for over 350 species and marvel at the West Coast’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse
- “Magic carpet” flowers – Pacific Grove’s bluffs often see a stunning springtime display of bright purple flowers from Drosanthemum floribundum, or ice plant. The non-native plant has covered much of the bluffs with dense succulent mats, but when they bloom, it’s quite the sight.
Visiting Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove is a compact, small town that is perfect for exploring on foot or by bicycle. If you want to see the monarchs, plan to visit from late October to February, but if you’re more interested in coastal recreation, spring and fall are the best times to visit.
It’s also minutes from some of the region’s most famous attractions, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and 17-Mile Drive.
You can reach Pacific Grove in about 2 hours from San Francisco by car, depending on traffic.