Pacific Grove, City of Neighborhoods, #1: The Retreat

The Retreat is the town’s foundational neighborhood.

Methodist leaders, led by Rev. J.W. Ross, scouted Pacific Grove in 1874 for its calm bayfront, ideal for a Christian seaside camp modeled after New Jersey’s Ocean Grove.

In 1875, David Jacks and the Pacific Improvement Company donated 100 acres to the newly established Pacific Grove Retreat Association to create the summer retreat, where participants erected tents on 30′ x 60′ lots.

Permanent cottages emerged in the 1880s, and the city incorporated in 1889.

Today, the Retreat is a walkable downtown neighborhood with coastal access and boasts many of the town’s oldest and most historic homes, notably the early Victorian and Craftsman-style homes for which PG is famous. Directly north of Lighthouse Avenue, it’s also home to several small parks, the library and the Natural History Museum:

Roots: Founded 1875 as Methodist camp retreat

Bounds: Monterey Bay to Lighthouse Avenue; First Street to Pacific Avenue

Hallmarks: Historic core, early cottages, ultimate walkability to coast and downtown

Residents: History stewards, long-timers prizing authenticity over flash, “historic home” rentals

Natural Buyers: Heritage hunters craving historic PG, location over size, owners seeking a walkable home base

Perks: Lover’s Point, Jewell Park, PG library, PG Natural History Museum, downtown adjacency, coastal paths

Traditions: Methodist tent camps, historic home markers

Homes:
#5: Margaret Lawrey 1887, 592 Central Avenue
#6: Captain’s Castle, 106 7th Street
#9: Frank Clark 1887, 231 Central Avenue
#10: Toad Hall, 150 19th Street
#11: The Seven Gables Inn, 555 Ocean View Boulevard
#12: 365 Ocean View Boulevard
#13: Dr. C.L. Roe 1886, 123 Forest Avenue
#14: Mrs. Mary Nichols, 131 7th Street
#16: 138 10th Street
#17: Mrs. K.E. Sanderson, 1904, 108 13th Street
#18: Catherine Brown, 1903, 410 Lighthouse Avenue
#20: L.A. Rogers 1887, 134 Grand Avenue
#21: Caroline Thornton, 1883, 137 16th Street
#22: Mr. C.E. Davison 1888, 352 Central Avenue
#23: 123 12th Street
#24: Mrs. J. A. Hoyt 1891, 144 14th Street
#25: 157 Carmel Avenue
#26: 109 14th Street
#27: The Daffodil House, 132 Forest Avenue
#28: James J. Stevinson 1883, 129 Pacific Avenue