Pacific Grove: Off Base Area of Town


Army, Officer
30-40 years old
Previously lived in: Charleston, SC, Lawton, OK, Sierra Vista, AZ, Fayetteville, NC, Fort Meade, MD
Silver medal 15 reviews

"Quieter Area"

Pacific Grove is the quieter option with a pretty equal distribution between young families and older adults and retirees. You will hear regularly how “Mayberry” it is living there. There are apartment dwellings and single family homes which tend to be on the smaller side and are older builds. PG, as it is affectionately known, has its own quaint downtown with a few standout eateries and boutiques. Most residents are in walking distance of downtown.

Pacific Grove Unified School District (PGUSD) has a very strong reputation with reviews and scores to back it up. PGUSD encompasses two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school in addition to a few other specialty school programs. Our experience was pleasant and I am pleased our elementary aged daughter was part of the system. One negative attribute I have encountered were comments regarding the lack of diversity within the student body.

  • Family Friendly:
  • Pet Friendly: Yes
  • Recommended: Yes
  • How would you describe this Area of Town: neighborhood
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Navy, Officer
30-40 years old
Previously lived in: Virginia Beach (others but not military)
1 review

If you are getting orders to NPS or DLI (Monterey, CA), Pacific Grove (PG) is one of a several nearby communities you may choose to live in. ***Please note I like warm weather!!!*** Here are the benefits of Pacific Grove:

-Fairly close to NPS, DLI
-Good downtown area for walking
-Farmers market every Monday
-Close to oceanfront - not warm/sunny enough here for a "beach day" but if you like running, biking it is great for you
-Feels very safe - it is very quiet and I feel comfortable
walking anywhere here
-Many downtown businesses have military discounts available
-Good second-hand shopping (there is a great children's consignment store; each quarter nearby La Mesa Housing area holds a large yard sale which is awesome for children's items)
-Somewhat pet friendly -- although it is somewhat difficult as a renter. Eric Marsh, who is based in PG, seems to have many pet-friendly homes but not all of them are located in PG)
-Many family-friendly events throughout the year
-Small town feel

  • Family Friendly:

Price: N/A

  • Pet Friendly: Yes
  • Recommended: Yes
  • How would you describe this Area of Town: Outdoor Activities, Touristy, Artistic, Locals Spot
  • Recommendations: Here are some drawbacks, from my point of view: If you are coming to Monterey, the area in general is cold (55-65) the majority of the year. PG is particularly cloudy/foggy much of the time. You need to work hard to integrate yourself into the community; people are open to military but there are many locals here As in much of the area, rentals are not very well kept up for the prices (for what we pay here, in Virginia Beach we had a brand new, beautiful, large condo...we have a nice large condo here but it is very outdated and most of the rentals appear to be that way) It is somewhat dog-friendly Very few fast-food or national chains if you like that sort of thing Many stores are small, so if you have as troller it can be difficult to navigate It's very quiet here -- if you like going out for nightlife you need to go to Monterey (which is only a couple of miles) If you want to walk/bike ride to NPS it's 4 miles. Not feasible via Hwy 68 if you look at Google maps. VERY HILLY

Local Favorites

  • Restaurants: Nothing I've been too excited about -- very pricey in general compared to other areas I've lived for
  • Happy Hour Spot: no idea! we have a newborn!!!
  • Gym / Fitness: InShape chain has gym in PG and Monterey - PG is very small, Monterey is huge and has childcare and
  • Shopping: small, quaint shops for an older crowd (50+) for the most part
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Navy, Officer
20-30 years old
Previously lived in: Charleston, SC; Mt Pleasant, SC; Summerville, SC; Pacific Grove, CA; Monterey, CA; Niantic, CT
1 review

We lived in Pacific Grove while my husband attended Naval Postgraduate School. It's paradise for outdoor-lovers if you find a place near the water. The Monterey Recreation Trail wraps around the peninsula of Pacific Grove, so you have access to a fantastic biking/running/walking trail that takes you from Asilomar beach, past the beach populated with seals (and seal pups in April/May), through Pacific Grove's Cannery Row touristy area, near the Wharf and downtown Monterey, and even out to Seaside. Pacific Grove has older, charming little homes. The area is very quiet and there aren't many kids, but neighbors and downtown Pacific Grove seems very welcoming if there are children. You're about 10 minutes from Carmel, 15 from Point Lobos State Park, and 5-10 from downtown Monterey. More bang for your buck than Monterey and classier/more walkable than Seaside.

  • Family Friendly:

Price: N/A

  • Pet Friendly: Yes
  • Recommended: Yes
  • How would you describe this Area of Town: Cultural, Outdoor Activities, Artistic, Locals Spot, Parks and Recreation
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# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Cannery Row Monterey CA 1 mi
2 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach CA 1.4 mi
3 Monterey Bay Monterey CA 1.7 mi
4 Monterey Monterey CA 1.9 mi
5 Carmel Carmel-By-The-Sea CA 4.4 mi
6 Seaside Highlands Seaside CA 4.4 mi
# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Robert Down Elementary School Pacific Grove CA 93950-3401 Public K-5 9 0 mi
2 Forest Grove Elementary School Pacific Grove CA 93950-4838 Public K-5 9 0.8 mi
3 Monte Vista Monterey CA 93940 Public K-5 6 2.1 mi
4 La Mesa Elementary School Monterey CA 93940-4894 Public K-5 9 3.3 mi
5 Foothill Elementary School Monterey CA 93940-6442 Public K-5 4 4.4 mi
6 Del Rey Woods Elementary School Seaside CA 93955-6202 Public K-5 6 4.6 mi
7 Highland Elementary School Seaside CA 93955-5625 Public K-5 3 4.9 mi
8 Martin Luther King School Seaside CA 93955-4609 Public K-5 1 5 mi
9 Ord Terrace Elementary School Seaside CA 93955-4122 Public K-5 2 5 mi
10 Carmel River Elementary School Carmel CA 93923 Public K-5 10 5.2 mi
11 George C. Marshall Elementary School Seaside CA 93955-6773 Public K-5 6 6.3 mi
12 Marina Vista Elementary School Marina CA 93933-3223 Public K-5 3 8.1 mi
13 J. C. Crumpton Elementary School Marina CA 93933 Public K-5 5 8.2 mi
14 Ione Olson Elementary School Marina CA 93933-2623 Public K-5 4 8.5 mi
15 Washington Elementary School Salinas CA 93908-9133 Public 4-5 10 12.2 mi
16 Toro Park Elementary School Salinas CA 93908-9133 Public K-3 10 12.3 mi
17 Graves Elementary School Salinas CA 93908-9221 Public K-8 9 13.1 mi
18 Castroville Elementary School Castroville CA 95012-3498 Public K-6 2 13.5 mi
19 University Park Elementary School Salinas CA 93901-1101 Public K-6 1 13.6 mi
20 Tularcitos Elementary School Carmel Valley CA 93924-9649 Public K-5 10 13.6 mi
21 Mission Park Elementary School Salinas CA 93901-1830 Public K-6 5 14.1 mi
22 Boronda Elementary Salinas CA 93907 Public K-6 NR 14.5 mi
23 Boronda Community Day School Salinas CA 93907 Public 4-6 NR 14.5 mi
24 Roosevelt Elementary School Salinas CA 93901-2014 Public K-6 1 14.7 mi
25 Boronda Meadows Salinas CA 93907-2532 Public K-6 2 14.8 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Pacific Grove Middle School Pacific Grove CA 93950-4837 Public 6-8 9 0.3 mi
2 Walter Colton Monterey CA 93940-4237 Public 6-8 4 1.8 mi
3 Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Community Day Middle Seaside CA 93955-6588 Public 6-8 NR 1.9 mi
4 Seaside Middle School Seaside CA 93955-6589 Public 6-8 3 4.8 mi
5 Carmel Middle School Carmel CA 93922-2740 Public 6-8 10 5.3 mi
6 Los Arboles Middle School Marina CA 93933-3507 Public 6-8 5 7.8 mi
7 San Benancio Middle School Salinas CA 93908-9133 Public 6-8 9 11.4 mi
8 Graves Elementary School Salinas CA 93908-9221 Public K-8 9 13.1 mi
9 North Monterey County Middle School Castroville CA 95012-2606 Public 7-8 3 13.7 mi
10 Washington Middle School Salinas CA 93901-2534 Public 7-8 5 14.4 mi
11 Buena Vista Middle School Salinas CA 93908-8752 Public 6-8 8 14.9 mi
12 Monterey County Special Education School Salinas CA 93912-0851 Public K-12 1 15.6 mi
13 Carr Lake Community Day School Salinas CA 93906-4010 Public 7-12 NR 15.7 mi
14 El Puente Salinas CA 93906 Public 7-12 NR 15.7 mi
15 Salinas Adult School Salinas CA 93906 Public n/a NR 15.7 mi
16 Harden Middle School Salinas CA 93906-4100 Public 7-8 3 16.2 mi
17 Salinas Community School Salinas CA 93906-3102 Public 7-12 NR 16.5 mi
18 El Sausal Middle School Salinas CA 93905-2715 Public 7-8 2 16.6 mi
19 Gavilan View Middle School Salinas CA 93906-4300 Public 6-8 4 16.9 mi
20 North Monterey County Center For Independent Study Salinas CA 93907-1552 Public K-12 NR 17.5 mi
21 Bolsa Knolls Middle School Salinas CA 93906 Public 6-8 4 17.7 mi
22 La Paz Middle School Salinas CA 93905-4127 Public 7-8 3 17.9 mi
23 Lagunita Elementary School Salinas CA 93907-8438 Public K-8 8 20.1 mi
24 Pajaro Middle School Watsonville CA 95076-5229 Public 6-8 2 21.5 mi
25 New School Community Day Watsonville CA 95076-4124 Public 7-12 NR 21.8 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Pacific Grove High School Pacific Grove CA 93950-4827 Public 9-12 10 0.6 mi
2 Community High (Continuation) School Pacific Grove CA 93950-4924 Public 9-12 NR 1.1 mi
3 Monterey High School Monterey CA 93940-2538 Public 9-12 7 1.7 mi
4 Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Community Day Seaside CA 93955-6588 Public 9-12 NR 1.9 mi
5 Carmel High School Carmel CA 93923 Public 9-12 10 4.3 mi
6 Seaside High School Seaside CA 93955-3145 Public 9-12 6 4.4 mi
7 Central Coast High School Seaside CA 93955-6588 Public 9-12 NR 6 mi
8 Marina High School Marina CA 93933-6007 Public 9-12 6 7.7 mi
9 Carmel Valley High School Carmel CA 93923-9537 Public 9-12 NR 7.8 mi
10 Salinas High School Salinas CA 93901-3243 Public 9-12 6 14.8 mi
11 North Monterey County High School Castroville CA 95012-9749 Public 9-12 6 15.1 mi
12 Monterey County Special Education School Salinas CA 93912-0851 Public K-12 1 15.6 mi
13 Mount Toro High School Salinas CA 93906-4010 Public 9-12 NR 15.7 mi
14 Carr Lake Community Day School Salinas CA 93906-4010 Public 7-12 NR 15.7 mi
15 El Puente Salinas CA 93906 Public 7-12 NR 15.7 mi
16 Salinas Adult School Salinas CA 93906 Public n/a NR 15.7 mi
17 North Salinas High School Salinas CA 93906-2908 Public 9-12 5 16.2 mi
18 Mission Trails Rop School Salinas CA 93905-1310 Public 9-12 NR 16.5 mi
19 Salinas Community School Salinas CA 93906-3102 Public 7-12 NR 16.5 mi
20 Central Bay High (Continuation) School Salinas CA 93907-1552 Public 9-12 NR 17.5 mi
21 North Monterey County Center For Independent Study Salinas CA 93907-1552 Public K-12 NR 17.5 mi
22 Everett Alvarez High School Salinas CA 93906-5300 Public 9-12 6 17.7 mi
23 Alisal High School Salinas CA 93905-1907 Public 9-12 5 18.4 mi
24 Pajaro Valley High School Watsonville CA 95076-9453 Public 9-12 6 21.5 mi
25 Renaissance High Continuation School La Selva Beach CA 95076-9638 Public 9-12 NR 21.6 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Pacific Lighthouse Academy Monterey CA 93940 Private 1-12 NR 0.8 mi
2 Pacific Oaks Children's School Pacific Grove CA 93950 Private PK-2 NR 1.1 mi
3 Trinity Christian High School Monterey CA 93940 Private 9-12 NR 2 mi
4 Trinity Christian High School Monterey CA 93940 Private 9-12 NR 2 mi
5 Trinity Christian High School Monterey CA 93940 Private 9-12 NR 2 mi
6 San Carlos Elementary School Monterey CA 93940 Private K-8 NR 2.1 mi
7 Webb Home School Monterey CA 93940 Private K-8 NR 3.1 mi
8 Stevenson School Del Monte Forest CA 93953 Private PK-12 NR 3.1 mi
9 Santa Catalina School Monterey CA 93940 Private K-12 NR 3.2 mi
10 Stevenson School Carmel Campus Carmel CA 93923 Private K-8 NR 3.8 mi
11 Monterey Bay Christian School Seaside CA 93955 Private K-8 NR 4.3 mi
12 Peninsula Adventist School Seaside CA 93955 Private 1-8 NR 5 mi
13 Junipero Serra School Carmel CA 93923 Private K-8 NR 5.2 mi
14 Chartwell School Seaside CA 93955 Private 2-12 NR 6.5 mi
15 York School Monterey CA 93940 Private 8-12 NR 6.8 mi
16 All Saints' Day School Carmel CA 93923 Private PK-8 NR 7.6 mi
17 Marina Christian School Marina CA 93933 Private 1-12 NR 8 mi
18 Our Savior Lutheran School Salinas CA 93901 Private K-1 NR 13.8 mi
19 Montessori Learning Center Salinas CA 93908 Private K-8 NR 14 mi
20 Notre Dame High School Salinas CA 93901 Private 9-12 NR 14 mi
21 Palma School Salinas CA 93901 Private 7-12 NR 14.3 mi
22 Sacred Heart School Salinas CA 93901 Private PK-8 NR 14.8 mi
23 Temple Philadelphia Christian A Salinas CA 93901 Private 1-12 NR 15.1 mi
24 Soaring Eagles Christian Academy Salinas CA 93901 Private K-12 NR 15.5 mi
25 Madonna Del Sasso Salinas CA 93906 Private K-8 NR 15.9 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Big Sur Charter School Monterey CA 93940 Charter K-12 6 1.1 mi
2 Monterey Bay Charter School Pacific Grove CA 93950-5443 Charter K-8 8 1.1 mi
3 Bay View Academy Monterey CA 93940 Charter K-8 9 3 mi
4 International School Of Monterey Seaside CA 93955-3914 Charter K-8 9 4.9 mi
5 Dual Language Academy of the Monterey Peninsula Seaside CA 93955 Charter K-8 6 6 mi
6 Learning For Life Charter School Marina CA 93933-4315 Charter 7-12 NR 8.3 mi
7 Oasis Charter Public School Salinas CA 93907-2529 Charter K-8 3 15 mi
8 Millennium Charter High Salinas CA 93901 Charter 9-12 6 15.5 mi
9 Monterey County Home Charter School Salinas CA 93901-4401 Charter K-12 NR 15.6 mi
10 Ceiba College Preparatory Academy Watsonville CA 95076 Charter 6-12 4 21.9 mi
11 Linscott Charter School Watsonville CA 95076-5025 Charter K-8 7 22.2 mi
12 Academic/Vocational Charter Institute Watsonville CA 95076-3184 Charter 9-12 NR 22.5 mi
13 Pacific Coast Charter School Watsonville CA 95076-1300 Charter K-12 5 23.6 mi
14 Cypress Charter High School Santa Cruz CA 95062-4176 Charter 9-12 8 24.2 mi
15 Pacific Collegiate Charter School Santa Cruz CA 95060-6225 Charter 7-12 10 24.2 mi
16 Delta Charter School Aptos CA 95003-3119 Charter 9-12 NR 25.2 mi
17 Tierra Pacifica Charter School Santa Cruz CA 95062-1756 Charter K-8 9 25.5 mi
18 Alianza Charter School Watsonville CA 95076-8645 Charter K-8 3 25.6 mi
19 Watsonville Charter School Of The Arts Watsonville CA 95076 Charter K-8 4 25.6 mi
20 Slvusd Charter School Felton CA 95018-9718 Charter K-12 6 32 mi
21 Hollister Prep Hollister CA 95023 Charter K-8 9 32.1 mi
22 Gilroy Prep School Gilroy CA 95020 Charter K-8 10 33.1 mi
23 Voices College-Bound Language Academy At Morgan Hill Morgan Hill CA 95037 Charter K-8 NR 38.9 mi
24 Charter School Of Morgan Hill Morgan Hill CA 95037-9356 Charter K-8 10 41.6 mi
25 South Monterey County Charter Independent Study Pr Greenfield CA 93927 Charter K-12 NR 42.6 mi
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# Address Type City State Bedrooms Bathrooms Distance
1 18675 McClellan Circle For Rent East Garrison CA 3 2.5 10.3 mi
# Approved Name State Affiliation Category Cities Bases Specialties
1 MTA Approved Allison Chance
Over the Moon Realty, Inc 		CA Military Spouse Real Estate Agents/ Broker Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Seaside, Marina DLI - Presidio of Monterey, Monterey Naval Postgraduate School Buyer Agent,Seller Agent,Rental Searches,Relocation
2 MTA Approved Becky Jones
Shankle Real Estate 		CA Military Spouse Real Estate Agents/ Broker Monterrey Monterey Naval Postgraduate School Buyer Agent,Seller Agent,Rental Searches

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