By JAMES RAIA
www.ByJamesRaia.com

Nearly hidden among often flowering shrubbery, there's an old mural blanketing the ocean side of the recreation trail in Pacific Grove, Calif. The mural details the history of the quaint city and it features the enduring motto: "Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey-by-the-Smell and Pacific Grove-by-God."< p>

The slogan isn't fair, of course. It dates to bygone times on the Monterey Peninsula. What is relevant about the saying today is that the area's three primary communities have vastly different "personalities."

Specialty restaurants to varying accommodations, the three primary peninsula locales are extraordinarily close geographic neighbors, yet they're surprisingly different.

As one example, I've traveled to the Monterey Peninsula for more than 20 years, but it had been several years since I'd opted for accommodations in P.G. (as locals calls it).

Yet on a recent trip, I spent three nights at the renovated Olympia Lodge and rediscovered the serenity of the city and its wondrous small-town appeal.

Located near the far reaches the city's main street, Olympia Lodge (1140 Lighthouse Ave.) sits among several other area hotels, motels and bed and breakfast locations undergoing a resurgence of interest as affordable, quiet and clean lodging options. They're all tucked away among mature pine trees and within a short walk to the Pacific Ocean shoreline.

During my stay, I had a third level room overlooking the pool and with a sliding glass door that opened onto a small deck with an ocean view. The lodge is unique in that all rooms have outside entrances and all are located along rustic wooden walkways. It's an old-style approach, and it's also refreshing and appropriate considering the serene, woodsy nature of the locale.

The lodge renovation is more readily apparent inside the rooms. My spacious room had a beam ceiling, nicely spaced modern furniture in a wood motif and a clean, if small, bathroom. The bed was particularly comfortable and the room had the usual appointments -- hair dryer, refrigerator, iron and ironing board.

Few places on the Monterey Peninsula have strong water pressure, and that's one of only two disappointments with the Olympia Lodge. Don't expect a "power shower." Likewise, my room, despite its new furniture, paint, carpet and complete overhaul still had the aroma of an old building in need of a good airing.

But the good components of the Olympia Lodge and its location far overshadow the less-than-spectacular qualities.

Quiet is the operative word in Pacific Grove, and the Olympia Lodge does its part. As I left for dinner one night, a lodge staff person told me that a neighboring lodge owner had phoned to inform him that a large motorcycle club contingent was staying at her property.

Maybe the motorcycle club's riders own electronic machines; I never heard them. Pacific Grove is just extraordinarily quiet. The Olympia Lodge location is 1/4-mile from the ocean and it's 1/2-mile from downtown Pacific Grove and the city's wealth of restaurants and small businesses.

The Olympia Lodge brochure features the slogan "Escape To . . . Ocean Breezes, Scenic Sunsets and Quiet Comfort." For travelers to the Monterey Peninsula, the words succinctly offer a good example of truth in advertising.

(The Olympia Lodge, 1140 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, Calif., General Manager, Ron Murray. Tel. 831-373-2777; 1-888-PG LODGE; Fax: 831-375-8741. E-mail:

<script type="text/javascript">eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%49%6e%66%6f%40%6f%6c%79%6d%70%69%61%6c%6f%64%67%65%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%49%6e%66%6f%40%6f%6c%79%6d%70%69%61%6c%6f%64%67%65%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))</script>

; Web site: www.theolympialodge.com; Golf, Monterey Bay Aquarium and whale-watching packages available. Room rates: subject to season and special events.)

Read more of James Raia's articles and subscribe to his free newsletters on his web sites:

www.ByJamesRaia.com
All about endurance sports.

www.TheWeeklyDriver.com
New car reviews and other related content.

www.GolfTribune.com
All things golf.