Lovers Point Park and Beach
Pacific Grove's sheltered cove on the bay
⏱ 1-3 hours👤 All agesFree
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Pacific Grove began as a Methodist retreat in the 1870s, and Lovers Point has been its gathering place ever since. The name has a couple of competing origin stories, and locals enjoy telling them; whatever the truth, the point has long been a favorite for strolling couples and summer swimmers, and the town has kept it simple and uncommercial.
The visit craft: come in the morning for calm water if you plan to paddle or snorkel, and check whether seasonal kayak and paddleboard rentals are operating at the beach. Bring a wetsuit for swimming or snorkeling at any time of year. For wildlife, scan the kelp just off the point with binoculars: sea otters often float there wrapped in kelp. On winter swell days, stay back from the outer rocks and enjoy the show from the lawn.
Practicals and fit: Ocean View Boulevard at 17th Street, Pacific Grove, about five minutes from Cannery Row by car or a pleasant 25-minute walk along the coastal trail. Free. Fit: families, couples, kayakers and walkers who want an easy, beautiful piece of the bay.
What to Expect
Format
A free waterfront park on a granite point with a small sheltered beach, lawns, a seasonal snack bar and the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail passing through.
Best Time
Calm mornings for paddling and snorkeling; spring for the magenta ice plant along the shore; sunset for couples; winter swells for wave-watching.
Duration
An hour for a stroll; a half day with a picnic and a paddle.
Tips
Arrive early on sunny weekends for parking. Bring binoculars for otters in the kelp. Wear a wetsuit for any swimming. Walk the coastal trail from Cannery Row to skip parking altogether.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
An easy, free slice of classic Pacific Grove coast.
Families
Excellent: a sheltered sandy cove, lawns and calm water.
Couples
A sunset stroll on the point, living up to its name.
Pair With
The Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Monarch Grove Sanctuary.
Time Needed
One to three hours.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Lovers Point?
Yes, the small cove is one of the more sheltered swimming spots on the peninsula, but the water is cold year-round. Most swimmers and snorkelers wear wetsuits, and conditions should always be checked first.
Can you rent kayaks or paddleboards there?
Seasonal rentals operate at or near the beach in warmer months. Check locally for current operators and hours, or rent in Monterey and paddle over.
Will I see sea otters?
Often. Otters frequently rest in the kelp beds just off the point. Binoculars help, and keep a respectful distance if paddling.
Is there parking?
Street parking and small lots nearby, which fill on sunny weekends. Walking or cycling the coastal trail from Cannery Row is a scenic alternative.
When does the ice plant bloom?
Usually in spring, when the bluffs along Ocean View Boulevard turn bright magenta. Timing varies with the weather.
More Monterey Attractions
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Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail
Eighteen car-free miles on the old railroad grade — the showpiece stretch links the wharf, Cannery Row, and Lovers Point past otters, harbor seals, and tidepools. Rent a bike or surrey and the whole shoreline becomes one ride.
Point Pinos Lighthouse
The longest continuously lit lighthouse on the West Coast, shining over Pacific Grove since the 1850s through its original Fresnel lens, shipped around Cape Horn by sailing ship.
Monarch Grove Sanctuary
Pacific Grove's winter miracle — thousands of monarch butterflies clustering in a eucalyptus grove from October to February, hanging in living garlands that explode into orange flight when the sun warms them. Free, docent-staffed, fifteen quiet minutes.