A visitor's guide written by locals. Insider tips on the best restaurants, hotels, and things to do in Carmel, California.
Pacific Grove, despite its diminutive square milage, contains a surprising number of parks, beaches, and trails. The city’s official site lists twenty-eight, but, rather than inundate you with an exhaustive assembly of similar spaces, we photo-toured five favorites, and highlighted each park’s unique features, activities, and regulations — because nothing ruins a picnic faster than a city citation.
The View from Lover's Point
Lover's Point-ing?
The most activity-packed spot on our list, Lover’s Point has a beach-volleyball court, a children’s swimming pool, kayak, bicycle and surrey rentals, oceanside biking/running trails, and great climbing rocks. Water-adventurers can also try their hand at scuba diving, windsurfing, and fishing.
While you’re there, visit Lattitudes Lover’s Point Restaurant — a local favorite, especially around brunch-time.
Restrooms: Yes
Picnic Areas: Yes
Parking Lot: Yes
Camping: No
Weddings: Oh heck yes.
Visitor Reviews
George Washington Park Signage
G.W. Park's Spacious Picnic Area
Looking Down into G.W. Park's Baseball Field of Sweet Summer Dreams
The Park's Awesomely Old-School Playground
Delightfully Dangerous
Giving the Much Slower Plastic Version a Whirl
The largest of P.G.’s Parks, George Washington also has, in our opinion, the coolest play structure. It’ll make you nostalgically recall, if you’re old enough, the days when play-grounds were a little less sterile, a little more challenging, and weren’t completely wrapped in soft, sissy plastic. They’ve updated the metal and wood structures over time, but plastic pieces extend, rather than replace, the awesomely old-school playground. Genius!
More Features: a baseball diamond, bbq pits, and nature trails.
Restrooms: Yes
Picnic Areas: Yes
Parking: Curbside
Camping: No
Regulations: A fee of $50-$100 (depending on size of group) and a use permit are required for the large group picnic area, barbecue pit, and ballfield. Apply at the Recreation Department office.
The Jewell Park Gazebo, Photo Courtesy of www.farm3.static.flickr.com
A sprawling green oasis tucked into the middle of downtown P.G, Jewell Park is perfect for mid-day picnics, especially if you’re craving some open space, but don’t want to wander to far from Pacific Grove’s urban attractions. Jewell Park’s wooden gazebo embodies its charming character, and makes this another great P.G. wedding ceremony locale.
Restrooms: No
Picnic Areas: Yes
Parking: Curbside
Camping: No
Regulations: Use permits are required for the gazebo and “Little House”.
Perkin's Park: Go Ahead, Take the Scenic Route.
Pink Ice Flowers, Originally Planted by Mr. Perkins, Himself. Natch.
Can't Get Enough of This View
Covered in gorgeous pink ice plants, especially in the spring and summer, Perkin’s Park features our favorite coastal walking trails, which stretch between Lover’s Point and Esplanade.
Parking: Curbside
Asilomar Walking Trails
Asilomar Poppies: Keep in Mind the Hefty $1000 Picking-Fine.
Leash these Pups!
Home to Pacific Grove’s best tide pools and bird-watching opportunities, Asilomar also features miles of flaura-lined pathways, and beautiful white sand beaches, which you can also see on this video tour.
Asilomar's Beachy Trails
The State Park Guide details the mile-long coastal trails, which are absolutely worth a stroll, and if you can visit around sunset — all the better. Bikes are only welcome on a few select trails, so watch for signage. Sunset Avenue has a bike lane, allowing for an easy 1 mile ride north to Lover’s Point, where you can hop onto the Coastal Bike Trails and breeze all the way up to Seaside.
Restrooms: At the Conference Grounds
Parking: Curbside
Picnic Areas: Yes
Regulations: Dogs Must be Leashed, Stay on Recreational Trails, Follow Posted Signage
Look Down and All Around for Posted Regulations
Tell me about your favorite Monterey Peninsula green spaces in the comments, happy trails, visitors!
More Asilomar Flora
Related Articles:
Our Favorite Monterey Peninsula Online Resources
Pacific Grove’s Asilomar State Beach Video Tour and Tips
Oh Deer! And More Central Coast Wildlife
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