Martine Inn Historic Bed & Breakfast: Old & New Elegance in Pacific Grove, California

With the Pacific Ocean as an omnipresent backdrop, the Martine Inn and its more than 100-year-old legacy provide an ideal location to experience the old and new of the Monterey Peninsula.

The historic bed & breakfast, built in 1899, offers guests 24 rooms all respectful to the Victorian stylings of yesteryear. Turn of the 19th century antiques dominate the furnishings - push-button light switches, to claw foot tubs, brass fixtures to marbled sinks.

Located on Oceanview Blvd. in Pacific Grove, the Martine Inn is owned by Don Martine, who with the assistance of his parents, purchased in 1972 what was previously called the Parke Estate.

Since 1901, the estate was the family home to Laura and James Parke of the Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Company and various family members. With Laura and James Parke in poor health, the compound, which included the main house, carriage house and two additional buildings, was sold in 1942.

Thirty years later, the Martine Inn was acquired by its current namesake who began its renovation in 1984.

Two decades later, the inn while nestled in a area with many varieties of accommodations -- roadside motels, modern luxury hotels and numerous other inns -- offers visitors numerous features found nowhere else.

Consider:

* An extensive collection of vintage MG automobiles is located on the property and available for viewing by guests. Martine, whose interest in the specialty cars began in 1950, has six vehicles on display. He also has various artwork and other memorabilia included in his "MG Museum." Martine also has a nearby auto shop where he restores and builds racing engines;

* The main parking lot is a grass and cinderblock carport conveniently located right in front of the inn. Two parallel side streets also offer very convenient first-come, first-served parking;

* A game room with a billiards table is located in a former shuffleboard and patio furniture and storage area;

* Conforming to the establishment's Victorian motif meals are served daily with Victorian and Old Sheffield silver pieces. The dining room offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, it's the rooms that differentiate inns, and the Martine Inn has its own styling. All of the rooms are unique in design but all conform to the stylings of the era. Each room has a different interior color, wall covering, fabrics and furniture design, with a particular preference for American antiques dating from 1800 to 1890.

Like other accommodations in the area, the location of the Martine Inn is beautifully complemented by a near-endless array of nearby attractions. In fact, the inn likes to promote itself with a series of "numbered" peninsula must-see options.

Consider, the Martine Inn is:

40 yards to water's edge from the front door; 4 blocks from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row; 3 blocks from the American Tin Cannery Outlet Shopping Center; 1 mile from historic Fisherman's Wharf, 5-minute-drive to 17-Mile Drive; 10-minute drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea.

For exercise enthusiasts, the Martin Inn is also an ideal starting points for myriad activities, golf to kayaking, running to cycling.

A 15-mile coastal hiking and cycling trail is located across the street. Inn representatives noted that many guests inquire about running, cycling, walking, kayaking and scuba diving. The entry hallway to the inn has guided and self-guided walking, running and cycling route information.

On one morning, I ran farther into Pacific Grove along the sometimes single-track trail meanders through the grass gardens of Lovers' Point and continues through ice plant and other healthy shrubbery, including huge, blossoming aloe trees. An extended journey would have led to Asilomar State Beach and eventually to the entrance gate to the famed 17-Mile Drive.

On another run, I headed in the opposite direction on the trail toward Monterey. Within a mile, I approached the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

For exercisers with pets (leashes required), a local animal hospital has sponsored several locations along the bike path where plastic "degradable pick-up mitts" are available for animal clean-up responsibilities.

With or without one's own pet, trail users can also view many animals on shoreline. Numerous harbor seals, an otter, a deer and several varieties of birds appeared along the shoreline. These sightings gave further credence to the theory that while tourists driving in scenic areas can see plenty, sightseers on foot can view more.

The Martine Inn is located at 255 Oceanview Blvd., Pacific Grove, Calif., 93950. Pets are not allowed. Smoking is allowed only in rooms with fireplaces. Tel. 800-852-5588 or 831-373-3388; Web site: www.martineinn.com