Grover Beach Transforms West Grand Avenue Through Smart Growth

New mixed-use development brings life and foot traffic to once-overlooked corridor

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Grover Beach's West Grand Avenue corridor has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, transitioning from a quiet, overlooked area into a thriving, walkable neighborhood. This revitalization is the result of the city's long-term West Grand Avenue Master Plan and a partnership with Coastal Community Builders, which has entitled and constructed new for-sale homes and mixed-use buildings along the corridor.

Why it matters

The West Grand Avenue transformation showcases how thoughtful zoning, public-private collaboration, and a willingness to embrace new ideas can turn a dormant area into a vibrant community asset. As cities across the Central Coast grapple with accommodating state housing requirements and supporting local businesses and their workforce, Grover Beach's approach offers a blueprint for balancing growth with preserving a city's unique identity and quality of life.

The details

The West Grand Avenue Master Plan, adopted by Grover Beach in 2011, sought to breathe new life into the once-overlooked corridor. The plan called for residential units over neighborhood-serving retail, increased density, and housing close to jobs and transit - all while maintaining the coastal vibe. Coastal Community Builders has played a key role in realizing this vision, entitling and constructing new for-sale homes and mixed-use buildings that feature smaller units with amenities like rooftop decks, encouraging walkability over driving.

  • The West Grand Avenue Master Plan was adopted by the Grover Beach City Council in 2011.
  • In the past several years, Coastal Community Builders has begun entitling and constructing new developments along the West Grand Avenue corridor.

The players

Grover Beach

A small coastal city in California that has embarked on a long-term revitalization of its West Grand Avenue corridor.

Coastal Community Builders

A local developer that has partnered with the City of Grover Beach to entitle and construct new for-sale homes and mixed-use buildings as part of the West Grand Avenue Master Plan.

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What they’re saying

“This revitalization did not come without tension. Many longtime Grover Beach residents understandably feel that their familiar beach town is changing.”

— Jocelyn Brennan, CEO of HRM Consultants and former District Director for the 35th Assembly District (pacbiztimes.com)

“Younger homebuyers and renters are voting with their feet and their wallets. They prefer neighborhoods where they can walk to coffee, dinner, and the beach rather than driving everywhere.”

— Jocelyn Brennan, CEO of HRM Consultants and former District Director for the 35th Assembly District (pacbiztimes.com)

What’s next

The City of Grover Beach and Coastal Community Builders will continue to work together to further implement the West Grand Avenue Master Plan, bringing more mixed-use development and walkable amenities to the corridor.

The takeaway

Grover Beach's West Grand Avenue transformation demonstrates that it is possible for cities to plan for the future and accommodate growth without losing their unique sense of place. By embracing thoughtful zoning, public-private collaboration, and new ideas, Grover Beach has turned a once-overlooked area into a thriving community asset that serves both residents and visitors.