Honeymoon at Lovers Point, Pacific Grove
Rhythmically breaking waves on the shore of Pacific Grove at night, a warm southern breeze from the Pacific, lightly nodding tips of cypress trees is a perfect end to any week, especially when you are on honeymoon. With miles of trails along the shore everyone is welcome to stroll, hike or jog in this unique seascape. I’ve never seen a places where man and nature came so close into unison until we visited Lover’s Point. With multitude of restaurants and cafés in the nearby town of Carmel-by-the-Sea this part of PCH is the best of Northern California.
Many people take a year off to travel around the world with their spouses following the wedding. Some at least take a month off for their honeymoon. However, my wife and I decided to go on a never ending Honeymoon across the state of California. Honeymoon at Lovers Point being one of our favorite destinations and a starting point.
Pacific Grove is a place so surreal that a person like myself, who mostly grew up in the inner city, can barely believe it really exists. Mostly seen on postcards and internet we’ve got to walk the Ocean view trail along the Pacific Ocean coast and take in the beauty of Monterey bay with the refreshing sea breeze.
Walking along the shore in Pacific Grove is simply therapeutic. I feel especially envious off but mostly humbled by the phenomenal citizens of Pacific Grove who have a chance to live and thrive in this neighborhood.
A place so peaceful and tranquil seems only exist in the movies! We’ve been coming here for years. Before we had a kid and now with our little son we continue to be baffled how different Pacific Grove looks with the change of seasons.
Lovers Point Park and Lovers point beach
Lovers point park is probably the highlight location in all of Pacific grove. Walkable distance from Monterey it’s a family oriented well kept ideal urban park. We usually stroll down the path along the Pacific Ocean shore after a hearty meal somewhere in Monterey fisherman wharf .
The farthest outreach of the park features stones and rocks descending into the ocean – a home for local ground squirrels. Many kids love to hand feed the wild rodents.
There’s a beautiful emerald colored beach that you absolutely must check out while walking around Pacific Grove. It’s a complete marvel – I’d say a pearl of the Monterey bay. A perfect place to spend your Honeymoon is at the Lovers Point.
Ocean view trail in Pacific Grove
mendociOcean view trail that stretches from Lovers Point to Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Park probably is one of the shortest and most enjoyable hikes we’ve ever been on in all of California. Not counting the Gualala cliffs trail in Mendocino.
Ocean view trail in pacific Grove has the most features stretching only for about a quarter of a mile. You will undoubtedly see some seals or sea lions, bunch of local marine birds and perhaps even a whale!
One of the best coastal features are of course the Cypress of Monterey (Cupressus macrocarpa). Dramatically twisting their branches out to the ocean they create an absolutely unique landscape, unrepeated elsewhere.
Completed with exotic flowers and other flora this coast line beats all the botanical gardens of California. Bathed by the sea fog, lush succulent carpets and the cypress trees are surreal at best.
Point Pinos Light house
An emblem of Pacific Grove, Point Pinos Lighthouse is the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, lenses and prisms in this Pacific Grove lighthouse are all original, and it is still an active aid to navigation.
Pacific Grove Golf Links & Point Pinos Grill
If you’re into golfing – there’s a lusciously green carpeted park located immediately adjacent to the Point Pinos Light house. You have a good chance of spotting an occasional family of deer (Mule vs white tail) tending to the green rug.
Also if you’ve hiked up to the Lighthouse you may want to check out the Point Pinos Grill for quick bite.
Lighthouse Avenue
If you are looking for other good places to eat there are several restaurants to choose from on the Lighthouse Avenue. Peppers Mexicali Cafe is one of the coolest places to hit up for brunch (recommended to me by one of the locals). It’s also within walk-able distance from the coast. In fact the whole town of Pacific grove is so small it’s easier to enjoy it on foot.
Lighthouse Avenue takes its name from Point Pinos Lighthouse, located at its end. The road, laid out in 1874, was used to ferry supplies from the port at Monterey through Pacific Grove to the lighthouse.
Pacific Grove with kids
The whole town seem to be designed with family activities in mind. Once you are done with all the outdoor explorations you might want to check out the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. It features some of the local fauna and flora info and of course a cool sculpture of a life-size grey whale. Typically we head over to the Denis the Menace playground with our son.
Check out Pavel’s bakery for your sweet tooth cravings!
You should seriously consider of simply walking or biking this town, you will definitely find something new and unusual for yourself while exploring Pacific Grove!
[…] it to your itinerary if you are going to the Monterey Bay aquarium, Old Fisherman’s Wharf or the Pacific Grove. The playground is located only within 10-15 minute drive. If your kid is tired or simply feels […]