Pacific Grove, City of Homes, #14: Mrs. Mary Nichols 1890

131 7th Street

Between Central and Lighthouse Avenue
3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2,354 SF on a 5,691 SF lot
Built: 1890
Last sold, 2013

This Retreat-era cottage expanded and upgraded into one of Downtown PG’s anchor properties, a sunny “big house” boasting magnificent second-story ocean views just a block from the coast.

The Georgian‑Victorian architecture—boxy, symmetrical front entry, tall wood‑frame windows, and a formal two‑story massing—reflects the desire for more substantial “real houses” near the water, particularly around the major 1920 renovation.

That expansion produced today’s expansive footprint, including a ground-level primary suite and a second story featuring a bay-facing deck.

The deck is large enough to impress a crowd with exceptional ocean views.

To show off those majestic views and bring in lots of light, tall windows cover the home, including grand bay windows both upstairs and down.

Three Things I Love About the Home

1. The 1920 upgrades: this expansion created a large enough footprint to support a fully modern living space inside, hidden behind the Victorian facade.

2. The downstairs primary: Having a true main-level primary suite means being able to age in place without giving up that bay‑block address.

3. The many massive windows: so many large windows mean tons of natural light and, of course, gorgeous glimpses of the bay from nearly every room.