Forest Hill Real Estate & Homes for Sale
Forest Hill offers a distinctly different version of Pacific Grove living. Located on higher ground near the upper end of Forest Avenue, the neighborhood is characterized primarily by postwar homes, larger residential lots, garages, mature landscaping and convenient access to everyday shopping and services.
Compared with Pacific Grove's historic downtown neighborhoods, Forest Hill generally feels more spacious and residential. Buyers are more likely to find ranch-style homes, mid-century floor plans, single-level living, conventional yards and off-street parking than tiny Victorian cottages on narrow Retreat-era lots.
Selected properties also take advantage of the neighborhood's elevation with views toward Monterey Bay, surrounding hills or city lights.
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Where Is Forest Hill in Pacific Grove?
Forest Hill occupies the upper portion of Pacific Grove near Forest Avenue and Forest Hill Boulevard.
The neighborhood sits away from the immediate waterfront and downtown core, with nearby residential areas including Del Monte Park and Country Club Gate, while New Monterey and the Presidio of Monterey lie generally to the east and southeast.
Forest Avenue provides the neighborhood's primary connection toward downtown Pacific Grove in one direction and Highway 68 and Monterey in the other.
That location is one of Forest Hill's strongest practical advantages.
Forest Hill Neighborhood Map
Use the map below to explore Forest Hill's location on higher ground near upper Forest Avenue, Del Monte Park and the eastern side of Pacific Grove.
Living in Forest Hill
Forest Hill appeals to buyers who want Pacific Grove but do not necessarily need to be within a few blocks of Lovers Point or Lighthouse Avenue.
Depending on the property, neighborhood advantages may include:
- Larger residential lots
- Single-level homes
- Attached garages
- Driveways and off-street parking
- Traditional backyards
- Mature trees and landscaping
- Convenient grocery shopping
- Restaurants and everyday services nearby
- Easy access toward Highway 68
- Convenient access to Monterey
- Selected Monterey Bay views
- A more residential setting away from the busiest visitor areas
For many buyers, those practical advantages can be more important than being able to walk to the ocean from the front door.
Forest Hill Is a Postwar Pacific Grove Neighborhood
Forest Hill developed during one of the most important periods of expansion in Pacific Grove's history.
After World War II, the city began growing beyond its older compact neighborhoods. New residential subdivisions were designed around automobiles, larger lots, garages and the expectations of postwar homeowners.
The City of Pacific Grove's historic subdivision records identify the Forest Hill subdivision with a development date of approximately 1957.
That timing explains much of what buyers still see throughout the neighborhood today.
Rather than nineteenth-century tent lots and tightly spaced cottages, Forest Hill was shaped by a mid-century residential model that provided more room for:
- Single-story homes
- Attached garages
- Driveways
- Front yards
- Backyards
- Patios
- Family rooms
- Indoor-outdoor living
The neighborhood therefore represents a completely different chapter of Pacific Grove's development from Old Retreat.
Homes & Architecture in Forest Hill
Forest Hill has a more consistent construction period than many Pacific Grove neighborhoods, although individual homes have been remodeled and expanded substantially over the decades.
Buyers commonly encounter:
- Postwar ranch homes
- Mid-century residences
- Single-level homes
- 1950s and 1960s traditional homes
- Later twentieth-century residences
- Expanded ranch homes
- Contemporary remodels
- Occasional custom residences
It is much less common to encounter an original Victorian cottage in Forest Hill than in downtown Pacific Grove, Old Retreat or Forest & Pine.
That distinction can be particularly important to buyers who like Pacific Grove but prefer conventional room sizes, larger kitchens, attached garages and more modern floor plans.
Single-Level Living
Forest Hill can be one of the more productive Pacific Grove neighborhoods to search for buyers prioritizing single-level living.
Many homes were constructed during the postwar era when one-story ranch homes were common.
A typical Forest Hill property may offer:
- Bedrooms on one level
- An attached garage
- Direct access between indoor and outdoor spaces
- Fewer interior stairs
- A more conventional rectangular floor plan
Individual properties vary, of course, and some homes have been expanded vertically or built on sloping sites.
But compared with Pacific Grove's narrow historic lots, Forest Hill generally offers more opportunities for buyers specifically seeking a one-story home.
Larger Lots & Outdoor Space
Lot size is another important distinction.
Forest Hill properties frequently occupy substantially larger parcels than the tiny lots common in Old Retreat.
Recent Forest Hill transactions illustrate the difference. Individual homes have sold on parcels of approximately 7,000 square feet, 8,800 square feet and more than 9,000 square feet.
That additional land can provide:
- Usable backyards
- Gardens
- Patios
- Outdoor dining areas
- Play areas
- Additional parking
- Greater separation from neighboring homes
Usable land still depends on slope, building placement and the individual parcel, so square footage alone should not determine how a buyer evaluates a lot.
Garages & Parking
Parking is one of Forest Hill's practical advantages over Pacific Grove's oldest neighborhoods.
Many homes were designed after the automobile had become a central part of residential planning, so buyers are more likely to encounter:
- Attached garages
- Two-car garages
- Driveways
- Additional off-street parking
This can be a meaningful quality-of-life difference for buyers with multiple vehicles, bicycles, golf equipment, recreational gear or storage needs.
A garage in Forest Hill should still be evaluated carefully. Some older garages have been converted, partially finished or incorporated into living space over time, so permit history and actual parking configuration should be verified.
Monterey Bay Views from Forest Hill
Elevation is one of Forest Hill's more interesting real estate variables.
Selected properties near the higher portions of the neighborhood can have views toward Monterey Bay.
Depending on location, a home may offer:
- Broad Monterey Bay views
- Partial Bay views
- Upper-level water views
- Filtered views through trees
- City-light views
Most Forest Hill homes should not automatically be considered view properties, however.
A difference of only a few houses, trees or changes in elevation can dramatically affect the view.
For buyers making water views a primary requirement, also explore our Pacific Grove Ocean View Real Estate guide.
Upper Forest Avenue Shopping & Services
Forest Hill developed at the same time Pacific Grove was becoming increasingly oriented toward automobile transportation.
That change is still visible along upper Forest Avenue.
Pacific Grove's historic records document commercial development in this area beginning during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The Forest Hill Court Store opened in 1949, followed by Forest Hill Market and additional commercial businesses along Forest Avenue during the 1950s.
Today, the Forest Hill commercial area remains one of Pacific Grove's primary locations for everyday shopping and services.
Depending on the home, residents may have convenient access to:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Coffee shops
- Pharmacies and personal services
- Gas and convenience services
- Other neighborhood businesses
This gives Forest Hill a practical advantage that differs from Pacific Grove's more visitor-oriented coastal neighborhoods.
The Forest Hill Commercial District
Buyers should understand that Forest Hill includes both residential streets and a defined commercial corridor.
The City of Pacific Grove maintains a specific Forest Hill Commercial zoning district along portions of upper Forest Avenue and Forest Hill Boulevard.
A house tucked into an interior residential street can therefore feel noticeably different from a property close to the commercial corridor.
When evaluating a home near Forest Avenue, buyers may want to consider:
- Traffic
- Commercial activity
- Parking
- Neighboring land uses
- Future redevelopment
- Pedestrian activity
The convenience of being close to stores can be an advantage, but the exact location within the neighborhood matters.
Forest Hill's Microclimate
Forest Hill is farther inland and higher than Pacific Grove's immediate coastline.
That can make its weather feel different from Asilomar or Beach Tract, which experience more direct ocean exposure.
Forest Hill may experience somewhat more shelter from coastal winds and can receive more sunshine during certain marine-layer conditions.
Pacific Grove remains a coastal city, however, and fog can extend throughout the area.
Microclimate differences can depend on:
- Elevation
- Tree cover
- Wind exposure
- Orientation
- Distance from the shoreline
Buyers who are particularly sensitive to fog or wind should visit prospective homes at different times of day rather than assuming all Pacific Grove neighborhoods experience identical conditions.
Forest Hill vs. Washington Park & Marino Pines
Washington Park & Marino Pines is one of Forest Hill's strongest comparisons.
Both areas offer more postwar housing, larger lots and greater availability of garages than Pacific Grove's historic core.
Forest Hill generally offers:
- Higher elevation
- More direct access to upper Forest Avenue shopping
- Selected Monterey Bay views
- A stronger postwar suburban character
Washington Park & Marino Pines generally offers:
- Closer access toward central Pacific Grove
- George Washington Park
- A mixture of older and postwar homes
- Larger Marino Pines parcels
For buyers prioritizing single-level homes, garages and larger lots, both neighborhoods deserve consideration.
Forest Hill vs. Hillcrest & Candy Cane Lane
Hillcrest & Candy Cane Lane lies closer to downtown and includes a much broader range of development periods.
Candy Cane Lane includes early twentieth-century homes, Period Revival architecture and postwar residences, while Forest Hill is much more clearly associated with Pacific Grove's postwar expansion.
Forest Hill tends to feel more suburban, while Hillcrest/Candy Cane Lane remains more integrated with Pacific Grove's older residential grid.
Forest Hill vs. Forest & Pine
Forest & Pine provides a substantially different housing environment.
Forest & Pine contains:
- Older cottages
- Craftsman homes
- Smaller lots
- Street-to-alley parcels
- Greater downtown walkability
Forest Hill generally offers:
- Newer housing
- Larger lots
- More single-level homes
- More attached garages
- Greater separation between homes
A buyer who wants historic Pacific Grove architecture may prefer Forest & Pine. A buyer prioritizing yard space, garage parking and a ranch-style floor plan may find Forest Hill more practical.
Forest Hill vs. Del Monte Park
Del Monte Park directly adjoins the broader Forest Hill area and is another important comparison.
Both areas experienced substantial postwar development.
Del Monte Park developed beginning in the early 1950s and contains an eclectic mixture of homes created during several stages of subdivision and later annexation into Pacific Grove.
Forest Hill has a somewhat more identifiable postwar subdivision character, while Del Monte Park's housing and street patterns can vary more widely.
We will explore those differences in greater detail on our Del Monte Park neighborhood guide.
Forest Hill vs. Country Club Gate
Country Club Gate lies closer to the western side of Pacific Grove and the entrance toward Pebble Beach.
Country Club Gate is particularly relevant to buyers interested in condominium and townhome ownership as well as selected detached homes.
Forest Hill is primarily a single-family-home neighborhood and generally offers more traditional detached-home choices with yards and garages.
Forest Hill and Pacific Grove Schools
Forest Hill properties are located within the Pacific Grove Unified School District.
Depending on current attendance boundaries and the individual property, nearby public schools may include Forest Grove Elementary, Pacific Grove Middle School and Pacific Grove High School.
School boundaries and enrollment policies can change, so buyers for whom a particular school assignment is important should verify current information directly with the district rather than relying solely on real estate marketing.
Remodeling Forest Hill Homes
Forest Hill can provide interesting remodeling opportunities because many homes sit on larger parcels and were originally constructed with relatively simple postwar floor plans.
Common buyer objectives may include:
- Opening kitchens to living areas
- Creating larger primary suites
- Adding modern indoor-outdoor connections
- Expanding living space
- Updating original electrical and plumbing systems
- Improving energy efficiency
- Adding or legalizing accessory spaces
- Taking better advantage of Bay views
Buyers should not assume that a large lot automatically guarantees that a home can be substantially expanded.
Potential limitations can include:
- Setbacks
- Lot coverage
- Building height
- Tree restrictions
- Parking requirements
- Slopes and drainage
- Historic-resource considerations for qualifying older properties
- Current zoning
Mid-Century Homes & Historic Review
One interesting consequence of Forest Hill's age is that many postwar homes are now more than 50 years old.
That does not automatically make them historic resources.
However, buyers planning major exterior alterations or demolition should verify whether the individual property has been evaluated for historic significance and whether any additional City review applies.
Pacific Grove's historic context also identifies some unusual postwar construction methods in this general part of the city, including examples of post-adobe construction along Forest Avenue.
For most buyers, condition, permit history and remodeling quality will be more relevant than architectural designation, but the issue should not simply be assumed away because the home is mid-century rather than Victorian.
ADUs & Larger Lots
Forest Hill's larger parcels can make accessory dwelling units particularly interesting to some buyers.
Potential configurations may include:
- Detached backyard ADUs
- Garage conversions
- Attached additions
- Interior conversions
Actual feasibility depends on the property.
Buyers should review:
- Lot size
- Existing building placement
- Utilities
- Setbacks
- Tree locations
- Parking
- Slopes
- Current state and local ADU regulations
If rental income, multigenerational living or a guest unit is central to the purchase decision, feasibility should be investigated before removing contingencies.
What Forest Hill Buyers Should Investigate
Forest Hill homes may be newer than Pacific Grove's Victorian cottages, but a house constructed in the 1950s or 1960s can still contain building systems that are several decades old.
Depending on the property, buyers should consider investigating:
- Permit history
- Actual living area
- Foundation condition
- Roof condition
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Sewer lateral condition
- Heating systems
- Termite and moisture conditions
- Drainage
- Retaining walls
- Tree condition
- Garage conversions
- ADU or guest-unit permits
- Historic-resource status where applicable
- Future expansion potential
- Neighboring commercial uses
- Insurance availability and cost
A beautifully remodeled Forest Hill home and a largely original 1950s property may require very different maintenance expectations even when their sizes and lots appear similar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forest Hill Real Estate
Where is Forest Hill in Pacific Grove?
Forest Hill is located on higher ground near the upper portion of Forest Avenue and Forest Hill Boulevard in Pacific Grove. It is near Del Monte Park, Country Club Gate, New Monterey and the Presidio of Monterey.
When was Forest Hill developed?
Forest Hill was part of Pacific Grove's major post-World War II suburban expansion. City historic records identify the Forest Hill subdivision with a development date of approximately 1957.
What types of homes are in Forest Hill?
Forest Hill primarily contains postwar ranch homes, mid-century residences, single-level properties and later remodeled or expanded homes.
Are there Victorian homes in Forest Hill?
They are uncommon. Forest Hill developed substantially later than Pacific Grove's historic Retreat and downtown neighborhoods, so most homes date from the mid-twentieth century or later.
Are Forest Hill lots larger than downtown Pacific Grove lots?
Many are. Forest Hill commonly offers conventional postwar lots with yards, driveways and garages that are substantially larger than the tiny parcels found in Pacific Grove's historic core.
Are single-level homes common in Forest Hill?
Yes. Ranch-style and single-level floor plans are relatively common because much of Forest Hill was developed during the 1950s and 1960s.
Do Forest Hill homes have garages?
Many do. Attached garages and driveway parking are considerably more common than in Pacific Grove's earliest residential neighborhoods.
Can Forest Hill homes have Monterey Bay views?
Yes. Selected properties at higher elevations have Monterey Bay, partial water or city-light views. View quality varies substantially by individual property.
Is Forest Hill walkable to downtown Pacific Grove?
Forest Hill is farther from downtown than neighborhoods such as Old Retreat and Forest & Pine. Walking may be practical for some residents, but the neighborhood is generally more automobile-oriented than Pacific Grove's historic core.
What shopping is near Forest Hill?
Upper Forest Avenue contains one of Pacific Grove's primary concentrations of grocery stores, restaurants and everyday services, giving Forest Hill convenient access to routine shopping.
Is Forest Hill warmer than coastal Pacific Grove?
Forest Hill is farther inland and more sheltered than neighborhoods directly facing the ocean, and it can experience somewhat more sunshine during certain weather conditions. Pacific Grove's marine layer can still affect the neighborhood.
Can I build an ADU in Forest Hill?
Possibly. Forest Hill's larger lots can create good ADU opportunities, but feasibility depends on the individual parcel, existing improvements, utilities, setbacks, trees and current state and local regulations.
How does Forest Hill compare with Marino Pines?
Both contain substantial postwar development, larger lots and many single-level homes. Forest Hill sits at higher elevation near upper Forest Avenue shopping, while Marino Pines is more closely integrated with western and central Pacific Grove.
How does Forest Hill compare with Old Retreat?
Forest Hill generally offers newer homes, larger lots, garages and a more suburban layout. Old Retreat provides historic cottages, very small lots and much stronger immediate walkability to downtown and the waterfront.
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Buying or Selling in Forest Hill?
Forest Hill properties can vary substantially in condition, lot size, remodeling quality and view. A largely original 1950s ranch home on a large parcel can appeal to a very different buyer than a fully renovated residence with Monterey Bay views.
If you are considering buying or selling in Forest Hill, call Mark Bruno and the Monterey Peninsula Home Team at (831) 917-8190. We can help you compare current homes, recent sales and the property-specific factors that influence value throughout Pacific Grove.
