Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard
Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard
Pacific Grove Oceanview Boulevard
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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JohnD
Kirkland, WA5 contributions
Jan 2020
Walking along the ocean gives you a good perspective on your power to change the world. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object and what happens? Beauty is created over and over again. What part do you contribute? You find yourself changing bit by bit.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheExplorerFamily
Somerset, NJ7,155 contributions
Jun 2022
We parked near the Esplanade Park area, and took a small walk on this scenic road which has some pretty picturesque ocean views to admire.
Luckily, we were blessed with a sunny day and cool ocean breezes. We saw the really cute “Kissing Rock” formation created by the thundering waves, flowers blooming on some rocky surfaces and a few Sea Lions sunning themselves on the other rocks nearby. There are a lot of places to pull off and park on this small stretch of road, plaques to read and learn some history. There are also lots of benches along the route to sit on and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
No visit to Pacific Grove would be complete without a drive, or walk down this road. We could have spent a few hours here just gazing at all that beauty.
Recommend a brief visit at the very least.
Luckily, we were blessed with a sunny day and cool ocean breezes. We saw the really cute “Kissing Rock” formation created by the thundering waves, flowers blooming on some rocky surfaces and a few Sea Lions sunning themselves on the other rocks nearby. There are a lot of places to pull off and park on this small stretch of road, plaques to read and learn some history. There are also lots of benches along the route to sit on and enjoy all that nature has to offer.
No visit to Pacific Grove would be complete without a drive, or walk down this road. We could have spent a few hours here just gazing at all that beauty.
Recommend a brief visit at the very least.
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyBucketListTrips
409 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
The walking trail along Ocean Blvd in Pacific Grove offers some of the best views of California coastline. There are benches along the trail to stop and take in all of the beauty. It’s an easy dirt trail to walk and is great for walking the dog (on leash, of course). Highly recommend spending some time on this trail when in the area. It’s definitely one of the top highlights of my family’s trip to Monterey Bay!
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tami S
Skagway, AK136 contributions
Jan 2020
Took time out to get our first ocean views upon our arrival by driving this stretch of road. Lovely spots to pull out and enjoy the views or go walking. Some pretty architecture to take in as well - my favorites were the Victorian B&Bs.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrienne W
Roy, UT10 contributions
May 2023
One of my favorite places to visit. Pacific Grove Oceanview is breath taking. So relaxing and beautiful. Great place to walk or sit back and enjoy the scenery. Love watching the ocean waves break on the rocks. The landscape is amazing.
Written May 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawny
11 contributions
Jun 2020
At the end of that drive, park and love to walk Assilomar Beach. Beautiful clean ocean, white/white sand. The sand makes squuicking sounds when you walk. because Its so fine! The waves are amazing!!
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
syrahgirl
Seaside, OR58,128 contributions
May 2011
Yesterday we did the Oceanview Boulevard drive after our lunch at Fandango in Pacific Grove. It was a beautiful, sunny and and the ice plant was in full bloom. The rugged coastline in this area is a sight to behold, crystal clear blue water and beautiful rock formations. If you are not able to do the 17 Mile Drive while visiting the area, this is the next best thing to it! :)
Written May 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve5863
Avon, OH12,812 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
The 2 mile (3.2k) stretch of Oceanview Blvd from wonderful Lovers Point Park to just north of Asilomar State Beach, near Point Pinos Lighthouse, where it continues as Sunset Drive, hugs some truly spectacular coastline making for a wonderful drive with many places to stop and watch the waves crash into the rocky shoreline.
A trail runs parallel to the road so one can park and walk part or the entire length of the shore, stopping to rest and take in the view at park benches along the way. At several locations along Oceanview Blvd, there is access to the beach where one can go tidepooling and get closer to the action but be aware of the potential for rouge waves.
While Oceanview Blvd, unlike 17 Mile Drive, is free, and it has been suggested as an alternative to 17 Mile Drive and it $10.50 toll, we found they were both excellent but in different ways and I would recommend driving both, if one has the time, making frequent stops along each to get the most out of each.
A trail runs parallel to the road so one can park and walk part or the entire length of the shore, stopping to rest and take in the view at park benches along the way. At several locations along Oceanview Blvd, there is access to the beach where one can go tidepooling and get closer to the action but be aware of the potential for rouge waves.
While Oceanview Blvd, unlike 17 Mile Drive, is free, and it has been suggested as an alternative to 17 Mile Drive and it $10.50 toll, we found they were both excellent but in different ways and I would recommend driving both, if one has the time, making frequent stops along each to get the most out of each.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robert c
Sunnyvale, CA3,337 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The Pacific Grove Ocean Front Walkway is a two way 2.5 mile pedestrian/ bike path, running east-west from the American Tin Cannery to Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove. The pathway has no stop signs or traffic signals, and runs adjacent but separate from Ocean ave, which is several feet higher in elevation.
22 tips for better enjoying your visit to the pacific grove ocean front walkway
1. Walk or rent a bike. Bike rentals on Cannery row a few blocks east of the walkway. These include tandem bikes, and side-by-side 2 person bikes, along with bikes with child carriers.
2. Start from American Tin Cannery on Ocean and David. 3 hours free parking with ATC shop validation. Public restrooms here. Aquarium is 1 block away. Alternatively you can find 2 hour maximum parking on Ocean Ave. The farther west you go from the Aquarium, the easier to find parking.
3. Eat breakfast or lunch at Fresh Awakenings, the top rated restaurant in tripadvisor in Pacific Grove, at the ATC. Start walking or biking on the asphalt covered pathway in front of ATC alongside Ocean Ave.
4. View the National Seashore Sanctuary and take pictures of the dozens of ocean seals sunbathing on the beach. This area is fenced in as no humans allowed in the Bay in this area, but you can see through the wire fence.
5. Travel westward through Berwick Park, with expanses of lawn and trees on one side, and the rocky ocean side on the other side. I've seen weddings in this picturesque spot.
6. Stop to sit on any of the numerous benches, and watch the wildlife in the ocean: Seals and sea lions frequently bask on the rocks.
7. Bring binoculars and keep a watch out for the rare sea otters. They often lie on their backs in beds of kelp, eating abalone on their stomachs. I've seen a few near the Aquarium
8. Check out the architecture of the Victorian buildings on the street side of the path, with the giant Gosby House B& B painted yellow at the corner of 17 mile drive and Ocean.
9. Check out the murals painted on the retaining walls separating the trail from Ocean ave.
10. At Forest Ave, take a short 3 block detour and wander over to visit the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum
11. As you approach Lovers Point the asphalt trail widens, and becomes a brick tile. Watch out for bicyclists zipping in and out of pedestrian traffic!
12. At Lovers Point you will see a swimming pool, a volleyball court, and at least one burger vendor, in a built up section next to the ocean.
13. Check out the blue and gray painted Beach House restaurant across from the Lovers Point Motel -which I consider an eyesore. If you come for dinner, reservations are a must with their early bird specials. This is the busiest dinner restaurant in Pacific Grove
14. Lovers Point has grassy areas with trees and a vast beach. Public restrooms here. The trails turns from asphalt to dirt and wanders around the ocean front through the huge yellow brown boulders in the area.
15. After Lovers Point the trail is no longer paved, and climbs uphill, with the bicyclists having to share the narrow two lane road with vehicles.
16. Watch out for runners in this area, as the dirt trail narrows to one pedestrain lane in places, going between high sticker plants, and there is no place to run on the narrow roadway.
17. The oceanfront walkway becomes a sandy dirt trail, going in and out of the low brush and shrubs. In the springtime you will see vast expanses of purple blossoming flowers in this area.
18. You will reach the Pacific Grove Maritime Gardens, just before Monterey Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Lot of viewpoints here, with parking lots between the sand dunes for cars to park. This is where you will see crashing waves onto the rocky shores.
19. Public restrooms on the inland side Ocean Ave, on the edge of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf course -aka "the Poor Mans Pebble Beach" golf course.
20. Walking uphill through the inlets, the dirt trail runs aside the Point Pinos lighthouse, itself surrounded by vast areas of grassland.
21. Past the Point Pinos lighthouse, you reach Asilomar beach, and the Pacific Ocean. This part of Pacific Grove is often cold and always windy. The trail now starts to run on a boardwalk of planks through the sandy areas.
22. If you continue walking you will run into the Asilomar conference grounds on the inland side, with numerous conference restrooms available to the public.
23. Continuing down past Asilomar beach, the trail of planks runs into 17 Mile Drive, with restrooms at Bird Island. At this point the trail disappears completely, with pedestrians having to walk on the sides of the roadway, winding along the ocean front.
The Pacific Grove ocean front walkway is fully developed only between the American Tin Cannery and Lovers Point. After Lovers Point the bike trail is part of Ocean Ave., and the pedestrian trail narrows from 6' to as little as 3' in spots along a sandy trail.
The trail has spectacular scenery and quite a bit of elevation gain. It is not as long nor as wide as say the Orange County coastal trail near Huntington Beach, nor as developed as the Wailea Beach oceanfront trail (which has lights for night walks), let along the Kauai East Coast Trail, a 12' concrete trail running 4-6 miles in Hawaii. It is by far more spectcular than the drab Stevens Creek bike trail here in Silicon Valley, and worth a visit.
22 tips for better enjoying your visit to the pacific grove ocean front walkway
1. Walk or rent a bike. Bike rentals on Cannery row a few blocks east of the walkway. These include tandem bikes, and side-by-side 2 person bikes, along with bikes with child carriers.
2. Start from American Tin Cannery on Ocean and David. 3 hours free parking with ATC shop validation. Public restrooms here. Aquarium is 1 block away. Alternatively you can find 2 hour maximum parking on Ocean Ave. The farther west you go from the Aquarium, the easier to find parking.
3. Eat breakfast or lunch at Fresh Awakenings, the top rated restaurant in tripadvisor in Pacific Grove, at the ATC. Start walking or biking on the asphalt covered pathway in front of ATC alongside Ocean Ave.
4. View the National Seashore Sanctuary and take pictures of the dozens of ocean seals sunbathing on the beach. This area is fenced in as no humans allowed in the Bay in this area, but you can see through the wire fence.
5. Travel westward through Berwick Park, with expanses of lawn and trees on one side, and the rocky ocean side on the other side. I've seen weddings in this picturesque spot.
6. Stop to sit on any of the numerous benches, and watch the wildlife in the ocean: Seals and sea lions frequently bask on the rocks.
7. Bring binoculars and keep a watch out for the rare sea otters. They often lie on their backs in beds of kelp, eating abalone on their stomachs. I've seen a few near the Aquarium
8. Check out the architecture of the Victorian buildings on the street side of the path, with the giant Gosby House B& B painted yellow at the corner of 17 mile drive and Ocean.
9. Check out the murals painted on the retaining walls separating the trail from Ocean ave.
10. At Forest Ave, take a short 3 block detour and wander over to visit the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum
11. As you approach Lovers Point the asphalt trail widens, and becomes a brick tile. Watch out for bicyclists zipping in and out of pedestrian traffic!
12. At Lovers Point you will see a swimming pool, a volleyball court, and at least one burger vendor, in a built up section next to the ocean.
13. Check out the blue and gray painted Beach House restaurant across from the Lovers Point Motel -which I consider an eyesore. If you come for dinner, reservations are a must with their early bird specials. This is the busiest dinner restaurant in Pacific Grove
14. Lovers Point has grassy areas with trees and a vast beach. Public restrooms here. The trails turns from asphalt to dirt and wanders around the ocean front through the huge yellow brown boulders in the area.
15. After Lovers Point the trail is no longer paved, and climbs uphill, with the bicyclists having to share the narrow two lane road with vehicles.
16. Watch out for runners in this area, as the dirt trail narrows to one pedestrain lane in places, going between high sticker plants, and there is no place to run on the narrow roadway.
17. The oceanfront walkway becomes a sandy dirt trail, going in and out of the low brush and shrubs. In the springtime you will see vast expanses of purple blossoming flowers in this area.
18. You will reach the Pacific Grove Maritime Gardens, just before Monterey Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Lot of viewpoints here, with parking lots between the sand dunes for cars to park. This is where you will see crashing waves onto the rocky shores.
19. Public restrooms on the inland side Ocean Ave, on the edge of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf course -aka "the Poor Mans Pebble Beach" golf course.
20. Walking uphill through the inlets, the dirt trail runs aside the Point Pinos lighthouse, itself surrounded by vast areas of grassland.
21. Past the Point Pinos lighthouse, you reach Asilomar beach, and the Pacific Ocean. This part of Pacific Grove is often cold and always windy. The trail now starts to run on a boardwalk of planks through the sandy areas.
22. If you continue walking you will run into the Asilomar conference grounds on the inland side, with numerous conference restrooms available to the public.
23. Continuing down past Asilomar beach, the trail of planks runs into 17 Mile Drive, with restrooms at Bird Island. At this point the trail disappears completely, with pedestrians having to walk on the sides of the roadway, winding along the ocean front.
The Pacific Grove ocean front walkway is fully developed only between the American Tin Cannery and Lovers Point. After Lovers Point the bike trail is part of Ocean Ave., and the pedestrian trail narrows from 6' to as little as 3' in spots along a sandy trail.
The trail has spectacular scenery and quite a bit of elevation gain. It is not as long nor as wide as say the Orange County coastal trail near Huntington Beach, nor as developed as the Wailea Beach oceanfront trail (which has lights for night walks), let along the Kauai East Coast Trail, a 12' concrete trail running 4-6 miles in Hawaii. It is by far more spectcular than the drab Stevens Creek bike trail here in Silicon Valley, and worth a visit.
Written December 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
adelaidiantraveller
Adelaide, Australia16,247 contributions
Paciic Grove is adjacent to Monterey.
You can walk along the coast road from Cannery Row to Lovers Point, then further along to Pebble Beach.
This is a pleasant walk. On one side, there is the ocean; on the other, you can look at the interesting houses.
This makes for a pleasant and relaxing stroll.
Lovers Point has a park which offers interesting views- also, it is adjacent to Seven Gables Inn- the famous B&B- which is an attractive building.
At the other end, there are the Cannery Row attractions.
If you walk inland from the coast road, the center of the Pacific Grove township is just a few blocks. This is a pleasant place to stroll around as well, particularly when the Farmers Market is open- between 4-7pm on Mondays.
You can walk along the coast road from Cannery Row to Lovers Point, then further along to Pebble Beach.
This is a pleasant walk. On one side, there is the ocean; on the other, you can look at the interesting houses.
This makes for a pleasant and relaxing stroll.
Lovers Point has a park which offers interesting views- also, it is adjacent to Seven Gables Inn- the famous B&B- which is an attractive building.
At the other end, there are the Cannery Row attractions.
If you walk inland from the coast road, the center of the Pacific Grove township is just a few blocks. This is a pleasant place to stroll around as well, particularly when the Farmers Market is open- between 4-7pm on Mondays.
Written January 27, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI my husband and I will be travelling through Pacific Grove May 2-4 we will be arriving around 5:00 p.m. We will be staying at Lighthouse Lodge We would like to walk somewhere for the Sunset and then have dinner on the way back. Is there a Map of the walking trails including to Monteraey and the boardwalk? Where could I obtain one of them if they are available?any recommendations for a not too expensive dinner?
Thanks so much
Written February 28, 2017
The best place to watch the sunset is from Lovers Point Park. It is at 17th Street and Ocean View Blvd. This is the end of the walking/bike trail from the Aquarium.
Another good place to see the sunset is from the bar at Highland's Inn. The food is overpriced, but the view is well worth the price of drinks.
If you have time, check out Pt Lobos State Park. It has excellent hiking with lots of views and wild life. It is south of Carmel on highway 1.
I like the the Fishwife for dinner or lunch. It is near your hotel. It is also fun to walk down Fisherman's Wharf and sample the clam chowder. Enjoy your trip
Written March 1, 2017
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