Pacific Grove is a coastal city on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California, bounded by Monterey Bay to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It lies adjacent to Monterey and a short drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea, about 125 miles south of San Francisco and 23 miles west of Salinas. The city is home to roughly 15,000 residents. Pacific Grove was founded in 1875 as a seaside Methodist retreat, modeled after Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Its early identity as a tent-camp and cottage community shaped the town's enduring character, and its Victorian-era architecture remains among the most distinctive on the California coast. The Julia Morgan–designed Asilomar Conference Grounds, built between 1913 and 1928, add a celebrated Arts-and-Crafts landmark to the shoreline. The city is widely known as "Butterfly Town, U.S.A." for the thousands of monarch butterflies that overwinter in the Monarch Grove Sanctuary near downtown. This seasonal spectacle draws visitors each fall and winter and reflects the community's long-standing commitment to conservation. Pacific Grove's appeal rests on its walkable neighborhoods, scenic shoreline, and small-town atmosphere. Residential areas range from restored Victorian cottages in the historic core to ocean-view homes in the Beach Tract, giving the city a layered architectural landscape. The climate is cool and maritime, with morning fog and mild temperatures typical of the Monterey Bay coastline. The municipal golf links, Asilomar State Beach, Lovers Point, and the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse provide a range of coastal recreation, while State Route 68 connects the city to Salinas and the broader region. Monterey-Salinas Transit provides local bus service, and Monterey Regional Airport lies just to the east. With highly regarded schools and a quieter pace than its better-known neighbors, Pacific Grove attracts those who value historic charm, ocean access, and a strong sense of community.