Mainstay Cottage Guidebook For Pacific Grove & Beyond
Food Scene
Walking distance from Mainstay Cottage to any of these good eateries.
Just up the block from the house, this is a favorite place to enjoy home style breakfast & lunch. We love the eggs Benedict and the & the pancakes for the grand kids! Inside/outside dining.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Toasties Café
702 Lighthouse AveJust up the block from the house, this is a favorite place to enjoy home style breakfast & lunch. We love the eggs Benedict and the & the pancakes for the grand kids! Inside/outside dining.
Great high quality menu & cozy atmosphere. We love the burgers and salads and their homemade soups! We especially love the gourmet bakery items. They offer both a cozy charming inside dining room & patio service as well.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Red House Cafe
662 Lighthouse AvenueGreat high quality menu & cozy atmosphere. We love the burgers and salads and their homemade soups! We especially love the gourmet bakery items. They offer both a cozy charming inside dining room & patio service as well.
Local bookstore & cafe that offers a quiet place to browse books and enjoy delicious homemade bakery items. Wi fi is offered here so good place to bring laptop & older teens really enjoy close proximity to Mainstay Cottage to get some time for themselves & enjoy good tea & coffee selection.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bookworks
667 Lighthouse AveLocal bookstore & cafe that offers a quiet place to browse books and enjoy delicious homemade bakery items. Wi fi is offered here so good place to bring laptop & older teens really enjoy close proximity to Mainstay Cottage to get some time for themselves & enjoy good tea & coffee selection.
Just short walk from Mainstay Cottage to an evening of dining out for the whole family while enjoying spectacular ocean views at Lover's Point beach & park.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point
620 Ocean View BlvdJust short walk from Mainstay Cottage to an evening of dining out for the whole family while enjoying spectacular ocean views at Lover's Point beach & park.
A local favorite for casual food & fun featuring hot dogs extraordinaire!! The Grill at Point Pinos is also owned by same restauranteurs which is also highly recommended. They were selected to appear on this year's annual cover of the Concours Auto Rally Magazine!!
Lucy's On Lighthouse
A local favorite for casual food & fun featuring hot dogs extraordinaire!! The Grill at Point Pinos is also owned by same restauranteurs which is also highly recommended. They were selected to appear on this year's annual cover of the Concours Auto Rally Magazine!!
Exceptional food & exceptional location within walking distance of Mainstay Cottage in Asilomar at the Pacific Grove Golf Links
Grill at Point Pinos
79 Asilomar AveExceptional food & exceptional location within walking distance of Mainstay Cottage in Asilomar at the Pacific Grove Golf Links
Two short blocks from Mainstay Cottage is California Mex style food popular with the locals & tourists alike! Inside/outside dining.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peppers Mexicali Cafe
170 Forest AveTwo short blocks from Mainstay Cottage is California Mex style food popular with the locals & tourists alike! Inside/outside dining.
Passionfish was voted one of the best restaurants in Pacific Grove in 2023 byTrip Advisor & is hands down a favorite with our guests & locals alike!
68 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Passionfish
701 Lighthouse AvePassionfish was voted one of the best restaurants in Pacific Grove in 2023 byTrip Advisor & is hands down a favorite with our guests & locals alike!
This is a personal favorite of ours in Monterey because it offers consistently good food overlooking the Monterey Harbor with a fun, casual "Cheers" like atmosphere . Popular with locals for happy hour, we often will take a seat at the bar & order the deep fried Calamari special which is the best around!! From Mainstay Cottage, it is about a 25 minute walk along the Pacific Grove Recreation Trail to arrive at the Sandbar & Grill on Wharf #2 in Monterey. You can also buy fresh fish at the end of Municipal Wharf #2 at Monterey Fish Company or at famous Old Fisherman's Wharf on Wharf 1 & enjoy a BBQ on the back patio at Mainstay Cottage!
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sandbar & Grill
Municipal Wharf 2This is a personal favorite of ours in Monterey because it offers consistently good food overlooking the Monterey Harbor with a fun, casual "Cheers" like atmosphere . Popular with locals for happy hour, we often will take a seat at the bar & order the deep fried Calamari special which is the best around!! From Mainstay Cottage, it is about a 25 minute walk along the Pacific Grove Recreation Trail to arrive at the Sandbar & Grill on Wharf #2 in Monterey. You can also buy fresh fish at the end of Municipal Wharf #2 at Monterey Fish Company or at famous Old Fisherman's Wharf on Wharf 1 & enjoy a BBQ on the back patio at Mainstay Cottage!
Grove Market
242 Forest AveParks & Nature
Lovers Point beach & park is a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying this family friendly beach. Barbeques are available at the park next to beach cove or bring a picnic & relax on the large grassy areas.
127 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lovers Point
631 Ocean View BlvdLovers Point beach & park is a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying this family friendly beach. Barbeques are available at the park next to beach cove or bring a picnic & relax on the large grassy areas.
The Recreation trail offers a walking, biking, or surrey-riding adventure along a spectacular coastline with abundant wildlife to see up close.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey Bay Recreation Trail North-North West Seal Lions
Monterey Bay Coastal TrailThe Recreation trail offers a walking, biking, or surrey-riding adventure along a spectacular coastline with abundant wildlife to see up close.
Known to the locals as "baby beach" for the water play fun.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lover's Point Beach
Known to the locals as "baby beach" for the water play fun.
Fabulous hiking & sightseeing opportunity in one of the most gorgeous parks in the world. Photographers love this incredible area.
309 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1Fabulous hiking & sightseeing opportunity in one of the most gorgeous parks in the world. Photographers love this incredible area.
Excellent & interactive for kids who are interested in our local wild life & the cultural history of Pacific Grove. "Sandy" the whale out in front is most popular with young kids to climb on too!
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AveExcellent & interactive for kids who are interested in our local wild life & the cultural history of Pacific Grove. "Sandy" the whale out in front is most popular with young kids to climb on too!
Entertainment & Activities
World renown aquarium offering hours of exploration for the whole family.
668 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowWorld renown aquarium offering hours of exploration for the whole family.
Full state of the art gym offering childcare services & daily passes.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monterey Sports Center
301 E Franklin StFull state of the art gym offering childcare services & daily passes.
Golf link just two blocks away from Mainstay Cottage & enjoy & dine in style at The Grill at Point Pinos!
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Grove Golf Links
77 Asilomar AveGolf link just two blocks away from Mainstay Cottage & enjoy & dine in style at The Grill at Point Pinos!
Docent tours of this historical landmark marking the Pt. Pinos area for the sailors & their ships many of which have foundered over the years on the rocky shores. Very rich & interesting history about Pacific Grove in the early days! Fun for all!
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Point Pinos Lighthouse
80 Asilomar AveDocent tours of this historical landmark marking the Pt. Pinos area for the sailors & their ships many of which have foundered over the years on the rocky shores. Very rich & interesting history about Pacific Grove in the early days! Fun for all!
Pacific Grove Golf Links
77 Asilomar AveLighthouse Cinema and Event Center is just an easy stroll up a block from the cottage to Lighthouse Ave. Features the latest in film & entertainment with four screens over three levels.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lighthouse Cinema
525 Lighthouse AveLighthouse Cinema and Event Center is just an easy stroll up a block from the cottage to Lighthouse Ave. Features the latest in film & entertainment with four screens over three levels.
Pacific Grove's landmark Museum opened in 1883, the same year as the Brooklyn Bridge! Still Interesting museum & a great way to learn about the history, culture & wildlife of Pacific Grove. Kids will love it!
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AvePacific Grove's landmark Museum opened in 1883, the same year as the Brooklyn Bridge! Still Interesting museum & a great way to learn about the history, culture & wildlife of Pacific Grove. Kids will love it!
Every Monday from 3-7 is our local farmers' market. Bring your bag & shop for all your in season fruits & vegetables or enjoy one of the 4-5 food trucks featuring ethnic foods & crafts.
Everyone’s Harvest Pacific Grove Certified Farmers' Market
Every Monday from 3-7 is our local farmers' market. Bring your bag & shop for all your in season fruits & vegetables or enjoy one of the 4-5 food trucks featuring ethnic foods & crafts.
Sightseeing
Great place to dine right at the waters' edge & watch the boats sail by & be entertained by the sea otters & sea lions at play. Many shops to explore & whale watching tours are available from here. Also take the Monterey Adobes tour and experience an iconic piece of early Monterey history.
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old Fisherman's Wharf
1 Old Fisherman’s WharfGreat place to dine right at the waters' edge & watch the boats sail by & be entertained by the sea otters & sea lions at play. Many shops to explore & whale watching tours are available from here. Also take the Monterey Adobes tour and experience an iconic piece of early Monterey history.
World-famous 17 Mile Drive is a spectacular scenic drive along some of the most amazing ocean views in the world. Best known for Pebble Beach Golf Links rated #1 in the country & especially famous for Concours Auto Rally which our most popular summer annual event of the year! Not to be missed!
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
17 Mile Drive
17 Mile DriveWorld-famous 17 Mile Drive is a spectacular scenic drive along some of the most amazing ocean views in the world. Best known for Pebble Beach Golf Links rated #1 in the country & especially famous for Concours Auto Rally which our most popular summer annual event of the year! Not to be missed!
Big Sur is one of the most popular points of interest with many visitors trekking down the coast to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Big Sur coast & it's rich & interesting history. Great places to hike, dine, & enjoy sightseeing. Nepenthe is one of the oldest & most famous restaurants on the coast with outstanding views & casual menu so recommend it if Big Sur is on your bucket list. Too many places to list here but ask if you want more information. Richard is a local from Big Sur & began his custom building profession there many years ago. He has always appreciated the spectacular beauty of our coast & the interesting folks that make the Big Sur area the special place that it is. He has many personal stories to share about the those days in Big Sur of the past & recently has taken up creating one-of-a-kind wooden bowls carved mostly from the old oak trees from his 93 year-old mother's land in Big Sur where she still lives. You might notice we have a few of our favorite ones featured around the cottage!
332 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Big Sur
Big Sur is one of the most popular points of interest with many visitors trekking down the coast to enjoy the rugged beauty of the Big Sur coast & it's rich & interesting history. Great places to hike, dine, & enjoy sightseeing. Nepenthe is one of the oldest & most famous restaurants on the coast with outstanding views & casual menu so recommend it if Big Sur is on your bucket list. Too many places to list here but ask if you want more information. Richard is a local from Big Sur & began his custom building profession there many years ago. He has always appreciated the spectacular beauty of our coast & the interesting folks that make the Big Sur area the special place that it is. He has many personal stories to share about the those days in Big Sur of the past & recently has taken up creating one-of-a-kind wooden bowls carved mostly from the old oak trees from his 93 year-old mother's land in Big Sur where she still lives. You might notice we have a few of our favorite ones featured around the cottage!
Drinks & Nightlife
Right at the Monterey harbor and waters edge is this fun restaurant and bar & is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike reminiscent of the iconic television show "Cheers".
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sandbar & Grill
Municipal Wharf 2Right at the Monterey harbor and waters edge is this fun restaurant and bar & is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike reminiscent of the iconic television show "Cheers".
World famous Cannery Row offers everything day and night from shopping to dining to sight seeing. Bike & kayak rentals available.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cannery Row
World famous Cannery Row offers everything day and night from shopping to dining to sight seeing. Bike & kayak rentals available.
Arts & Culture
Great place to explore with the kids and enjoy fascinating exhibits that educate about the local flora & fauna in Pacific Grove.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
165 Forest AveGreat place to explore with the kids and enjoy fascinating exhibits that educate about the local flora & fauna in Pacific Grove.
Always something interesting going on with lots of cultural entertainment & interesting food & crafts.
Custom House Plaza
Always something interesting going on with lots of cultural entertainment & interesting food & crafts.
Shopping
Trader Joe’s offers terrific grocery shopping & reasonable prices.
96 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest AveTrader Joe’s offers terrific grocery shopping & reasonable prices.