Pacific Groveresort and residential city, Monterey county, western California, U.S. It lies along Monterey Bay and adjoins the city of Monterey. Founded in 1875 by Methodists as a summer religious retreat, the city remains a centre for conferences of religious and other groups; alcohol was banned in Pacific Grove until 1969, when it became the last California city to end local prohibition. The city is the northern terminus of the scenic Seventeen Mile Drive from Carmel. The pines and eucalyptus trees in famous Monarch Grove Sanctuary provide an overwintering spot for thousands of monarch butterflies that migrate from Canada and Alaska. Point Pinos Lighthouse is on the bay. Pacific Grove is the seat of Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station (1892), the first marine laboratory on the Pacific Coast, and Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (1882) is also located in the city. Popular attractions include Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Asilomar State Beach. Inc. 1889. Pop. (19902000) 1615,117522; (20002010) 15,522041.