Pacific Grove is an affluent city in Monterey County with a little over 15,000 residents, over a quarter of whom are aged 65 and over. The region offers affordable health care and exceptional year-round weather, making it a great option for retirement living.

Many older adults in Pacific Grove require personal care services at some point. Assisted living facilities provide exceptional convenience and access to care for those who need some help with daily living activities but want to maintain as much independence as possible. These facilities are staffed with trained caregivers who provide personal care, and residents enjoy daily meals and snacks, housekeeping and laundry services and curated recreational activities. Some facilities allow pets and have additional amenities, such as swimming pools, fitness centers, multiple dining options and salons. Monthly fees vary, depending on the scope of amenities, but on average, seniors in Pacific Grove pay $6,800 per month for assisted living. This rate is considerably higher than state and national averages.

This guide provides more information on assisted living in Pacific Grove, including an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of living here and a summary of local senior care costs. It also highlights local organizations and programs that help older adults find the best care for their needs.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Pacific Grove, CA


Forest Hill

Located near the beautiful Asiloma State Marine Preserve, Forest Hill Manor offers multiple levels of care in Salinas, California. Residents and their guests routinely give high marks to the facility’ … (read more)
Located near the beautiful Asiloma State Marine Preserve, Forest Hill Manor offers multiple levels of care in Salinas, California. Residents and their guests routinely give high marks to the facility’ … (read more)

Canterbury Woods – Pacific Grove

My dad moved into assisted living at Canterbury Woods – Pacific Grove. It looks very nice. He knows several people who currently live there and he’s able to work out a deal where his current home heal … (read more)
My dad moved into assisted living at Canterbury Woods – Pacific Grove. It looks very nice. He knows several people who currently live there and he’s able to work out a deal where his current home heal … (read more)


2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

The Park Lane

The Park Lane is located in Monterey, California, close to Monterey Regional Airport, Del Monte Shopping Center and numerous museums. Visitors describe the rooms as nice and large, and they’re impress … (read more)
The Park Lane is located in Monterey, California, close to Monterey Regional Airport, Del Monte Shopping Center and numerous museums. Visitors describe the rooms as nice and large, and they’re impress … (read more)
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2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

2014, 2017

Ivy Park at Monterey

Ivy Park at Monterey is located in Monterey County, California, near U.S. Highway 1, King’s Highway and Garrapata State Park. Visitors describe the community as very nice and beautiful. They note the … (read more)
Ivy Park at Monterey is located in Monterey County, California, near U.S. Highway 1, King’s Highway and Garrapata State Park. Visitors describe the community as very nice and beautiful. They note the … (read more)

Carmel Valley Manor

Located along the scenic central Californian coast, Carmel Valley Manor gives residents easy access to Pebble Beach Golf Course, Monterey Bay and Big Sur. Seniors praise the community for its wealth o … (read more)
Located along the scenic central Californian coast, Carmel Valley Manor gives residents easy access to Pebble Beach Golf Course, Monterey Bay and Big Sur. Seniors praise the community for its wealth o … (read more)

Cottages of Carmel

Cottages of Carmel are located in Carmel, California, close to Carmel Rancho Shopping Center, The Barnyard Shopping Village and Carmel Bay. Visitors compare the facility’s clean, attractive building a … (read more)
Cottages of Carmel are located in Carmel, California, close to Carmel Rancho Shopping Center, The Barnyard Shopping Village and Carmel Bay. Visitors compare the facility’s clean, attractive building a … (read more)

Merrill Gardens at Monterey

Merrill Gardens at Monterey is located on the edge of Monterey, California, right above the Naval Postgraduate School. Residents have access to a swimming pool, salon and there are washing machines in … (read more)
Merrill Gardens at Monterey is located on the edge of Monterey, California, right above the Naval Postgraduate School. Residents have access to a swimming pool, salon and there are washing machines in … (read more)

Coastal Care Home

Coastal Care Home is situated close to Cabrillo Highway in Marina, California, not far from a Walmart Supercenter and a Starbucks. Its location at the edge of Monterey Bay offers scenic views of Marin … (read more)
Coastal Care Home is situated close to Cabrillo Highway in Marina, California, not far from a Walmart Supercenter and a Starbucks. Its location at the edge of Monterey Bay offers scenic views of Marin … (read more)

Carmelo Park

Carmelo Park is located in Monterey, California, a short drive away from Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey Veterans Memorial Park and several museums. Relatives describe the facility as nice and hom … (read more)
Carmelo Park is located in Monterey, California, a short drive away from Del Monte Shopping Center, Monterey Veterans Memorial Park and several museums. Relatives describe the facility as nice and hom … (read more)

Flanders Court of Carmel

The physical set-up of Flanders Court is simultaneously gracious, secure, and homey. The handsome garden and patio are integrated into the living area. Internally, residents have access to abund … (read more)
The physical set-up of Flanders Court is simultaneously gracious, secure, and homey. The handsome garden and patio are integrated into the living area. Internally, residents have access to abund … (read more)

Ave Maria Rcfe #1

Ave Maria Rcfe #1, located near Highway 68 in Monterey, California, is a short driving distance to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and not far from Jacks Peak Park. Family members appreci … (read more)
Ave Maria Rcfe #1, located near Highway 68 in Monterey, California, is a short driving distance to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and not far from Jacks Peak Park. Family members appreci … (read more)

Queen Of Angels Ii Rcfe

My friend is at Queen of Angels II RCFE. There are five residents currently, but the maximum number of residents is six. Three ladies live in the home, so there are at least two caregivers around the … (read more)
My friend is at Queen of Angels II RCFE. There are five residents currently, but the maximum number of residents is six. Three ladies live in the home, so there are at least two caregivers around the … (read more)







What to Consider About Assisted Living in Pacific Grove

In Pacific Grove, assisted living facilities are licensed by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Facilities are required to adhere to a comprehensive set of rules regarding staff-to-resident ratios, care planning, medication requirements and the facility’s structural requirements. The division also conducts background checks and investigates reports of mistreatment or substandard care. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Pacific Grove

  • Crime is uncommon in Pacific Grove, which may provide peace of mind to older adults. The city reports some of the lowest violent crime cases in the nation, with this type of crime occurring at a much lower rate than in similarly sized cities in California. 
  • Temperatures in Pacific Grove are mild and consistent throughout the year with highs ranging between 59 and 69 degrees. Snow is very uncommon, although residents occasionally see a light dusting in March, and the city only gets about 18 inches of annual rainfall. On a 10-point climate index, the city has an almost perfect score of 9, indicating that it’s more comfortable than most U.S. cities.  
  • Pacific Grove is one of the most expensive places to live in California. Its overall cost of living is nearly double the national average and about 45% higher than the state median. The biggest driver behind the high cost of living is the region’s expensive real estate. Houses cost nearly four times more here than in the typical U.S. city, which may make assisted living an affordable alternative for retirees.  
  • Seniors in Pacific Grove pay full state income taxes on most retirement income, and the state has some of the highest sales taxes in the nation. However, Social Security benefits are fully exempt, which may make retirement more affordable for those who rely primarily on this income. 
  • Health care services cost about 5% less in Pacific Grove than in the typical U.S. city, which may benefit those managing chronic conditions. The closest hospital, Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula, is about 2 miles away in Monterey. 

Paying for Assisted Living in Pacific Grove

Assisted living rates in Pacific Grove are considerably higher than state and national averages, with locals paying approximately $6,800 per month for care. By comparison, the national rate is $4,300, and in California, the average is $5,000.  

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities 

At $6,800 per month, assisted living rates in Pacific Grove are among the highest in the state. The average monthly rate in Salinas is $7,100, making it the only surveyed city with higher care costs. In the San Francisco area, care costs exceed state and national medians but are more affordable than in Pacific Grove at $6,100. In Visalia, rates are closer to the national average at $4,548, and in Bakersfield, seniors pay $3,613.

$6800

Pacific Grove

$5000

California

$4300

The United States

$4548

Visalia

$6100

San Francisco Area

$7100

Salinas

$3613

Bakersfield

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care 

Older adults in Pacific Grove have several senior care options to choose from. The cheapest way to obtain care is through adult day health services, which provides personal care, meals and activities in a daytime community setting for $2,600 monthly. Home-based care, including homemaker services and specialized home health aide services, averages $6,292 per month for 44 hours of weekly care. Assisted living is several hundred dollars more at $6,800, but this rate also includes meals and housing. Nursing homes provide the highest level of care and are the costliest, with residents in shared rooms paying $9,201 per month and those in private rooms paying $12,547. 

$6292

Homemaker Services

$6292

Home Health Aide

$2600

Adult Day Health Care

$6800

Assisted Living Facility

$9201

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$12547

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Care cost data for Pacific Grove was not available, so data for the closest city, Santa Cruz Area, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Pacific Grove

In Pacific Grove, seniors may qualify for financial aid to help pay for the cost of assisted living. There are two programs that may help fund assisted living, Medi-Cal, which offers an Assisted Living Waiver program, and Supplemental Security Income – Category G.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.

Paying for Assisted Living Facilities in California

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Pacific Grove

Prospective assisted living residents in Pacific Grove can get support, information and advice through numerous local agencies and programs. This table features resources for older adults in the region that can help them find options for paying for assisted living and connecting with services in the community.

Resource 

Contact 

Service 

(831) 375-4454 

The Meals on Wheels Community Center is a local nonprofit activity center with programs and services for those aged 55 and over. It has a library, a large dining room for congregate meals and multipurpose rooms used for fitness classes and activities. At the center, members participate in games, classes, lectures and holiday and theme parties. The center also provides free civil legal services and options counseling to help older adults make informed decisions regarding their care.

(800) 510-2020 

The Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit organization that offers assistance, referrals and advocacy for those aged 60 and over in the Pacific Grover region. It hosts events, such as Matter of Balance workshops and the annual Elder Justice Summit, keeping older adults up-to-date on issues relevant to their quality of life. It also contracts with local providers to connect seniors with community-based services, such as legal assistance, options counseling and durable medical equipment rentals.

(831) 647-7613 

The county’s Military & Veterans Affairs Division helps veterans in the Pacific Grove region connect with local, state and federal benefits. Through the division, qualifying seniors can obtain health care and health insurance, transportation services and referrals for community-based services. The office can also help veterans enroll in benefits that may help cover assisted living services, including Aid and Attendance and veterans’ and survivors’ pensions.

(831) 655-1334 

Alliance on Aging is a local nonprofit organization with a long-term care ombudsman program. Through this program, state-certified individuals help assisted living residents obtain the quality of care they deserve. The ombudsman can help older adults research local assisted living facilities and identify options for paying for their care. The ombudsman can also mediate family disputes and investigate reports of abuse and substandard care. The agency also administers HICAP, a program that provides free, unbiased health insurance options counseling for seniors.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in California