Happy New Year from The Olympia Lodge!

The Monterey Bay Area is one of the world’s most eventful destinations, and 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year. From world-class golf and legendary music to culinary wonders and automotive prestige, there is truly something for everyone.

These signature events cause the entire peninsula to sell out, often a year in advance. As a valued guest, we want to give you this exclusive first look.

Don’t wait to plan your adventure. Book your 2026 stay at The Olympia Lodge now and secure your room for these incredible experiences.

The year-end transition should be a celebration, not a scramble! Treat yourself and your loved ones to a relaxing end-of-year escape at TheOlympiaLodge.com, your trusted Sanctuary-by-the-Bay.

Forget the stress of planning massive parties. Instead, enjoy the quiet luxury of your comfortable, centrally-located, home-away-from-home in Pacific Grove, CA. December’s end is perfect for:

• New Year’s Eve on the Coast: Enjoy a celebratory dinner at a local fine-dining spot before taking a midnight stroll by the ocean.
• Reflective Walks: The dramatic ocean cliffs provide a breathtaking backdrop for reflecting on the past year and planning for the next.
• Last-Minute Shopping: Find great post-holiday deals and unique gifts in the local Pacific Grove shops.

Book your relaxing, celebratory finale to the year with us! A fresh, ocean-air start to 2026 is waiting.

This year, skip the overwhelming holiday to-do list and give your family the gift of time, comfort, and coastal beauty.  TheOlympiaLodge.com is ready to be your truly relaxing home-away-from-home this December.

Think of it as the ultimate holiday treat: a cozy, comfortable base where you can genuinely unwind. Our centrally-located lodge means less driving and more doing, whether you’re planning:

• Aquarium Adventures: Visit the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, which often has festive seasonal exhibits.
• Cozy Quality Time: Spend quiet evenings together at the lodge, away from the domestic chaos of the season.
• Oceanfront Play: Take invigorating family walks along the beautiful beaches and coastal trails.

Let us be your Sanctuary-by-the-Bay this holiday season. Book your restful family retreat now!

The holiday rush is already starting, but you deserve a break before the New Year. This December, escape the stress and retreat to your Sanctuary-by-the-Bay — TheOlympiaLodge.com.

We are your comfortable, centrally-located, home-away-from-home in Pacific Grove, CA, offering the perfect base to recharge. The Monterey Bay Area shines in early winter:

• Holiday Lights: Enjoy charming, festive lights and decorations in Pacific Grove and nearby Carmel.
• Mild Winter Walks: The ocean cliffs are quieter and more dramatic, offering refreshing, crisp air for an invigorating walk or light hike.
• Uncrowded Dining: Savor the region’s top dining spots without the summer wait times.

Treat yourself and your family to a relaxing escape that feels like a cozy tradition. This isn’t just a trip; it’s a necessary reset.

Here at The Olympia Lodge, the turn of the season has us reflecting. As the air gets a little crisper and the sunsets over Monterey Bay paint the sky in deeper hues, our hearts and minds turn to one thing: gratitude.

Thanksgiving is a time for taking stock of what matters most, and for us, that has always been you, our guests.

We’re not a faceless chain; we are a family-owned business, and The Olympia Lodge is our home. When you stay with us, you become a part of our story. We’ve seen families return year after year, watching kids grow up. We’ve hosted couples celebrating anniversaries, friends on a much-needed getaway, and solo travelers finding a quiet moment of peace by the coast.

Your choice to make The Olympia Lodge your home base in Monterey is the single biggest reason we do what we do.

It’s why we work so hard to make every detail just right—from the crispness of the linens to the warmth of the welcome you receive at the front desk. Your smiles, your kind words, and your simple presence are what fuel our passion. Creating a lovely, memorable, and restorative experience for you isn’t just our job; it’s our genuine pleasure.

We are so fortunate to be rooted in a place as magical as the Monterey Bay area. This time of year, the coast takes on a special kind of beauty. The crowds of summer have thinned, leaving the beaches open for peaceful walks. It’s the perfect season to spot migrating whales from the deck of a boat or from a stunning viewpoint along the coast.

There’s a quiet magic to strolling down Cannery Row, followed by an afternoon spent mesmerized by the sea otters at the world-class Aquarium. And nothing beats the feeling of a scenic drive down to Big Sur, the coastline unfolding before you, or exploring the storybook streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea as they light up for the holidays.

This region is a gift, and we feel so lucky to share it with you.

Our greatest hope is that The Olympia Lodge feels like your personal sanctuary—a quiet, comfortable place to return to after a day of exploring. A place to pour a glass of wine, put your feet up, and simply breathe in the fresh ocean air. It’s the “you-deserve-this” getaway, and we are always here to make it special.

So, as we gather with our own loved ones this Thanksgiving, please know that our family is sending our deepest, most heartfelt thanks to yours. Thank you for choosing us, thank you for trusting us with your precious travel time, and thank you for being the reason we love what we do.

We wish you and your loved ones a marvelous Thanksgiving, filled with warmth, joy, and connection.

We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you home again soon.

With gratitude,
The entire family at The Olympia Lodge

When you picture a trip to the Monterey Bay Area, your mind might instantly conjure images of the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, breaching whales, or perhaps the historic charm of Cannery Row. And while those are all essential parts of our local magic, there is another, more sophisticated side to the Peninsula—a world of refined tastes, legendary challenges, and thrilling drives.

This is the Monterey Bay that caters to connoisseurs. It’s a place where you can walk the same fairways as golf’s greatest legends in the morning, savor a Michelin-guide-worthy meal in the evening, and, in between, experience one of the most famous scenic drives on the planet.

If your idea of the perfect getaway involves world-class indulgence, you’ve come to the right place. And with its quiet, forested setting just minutes from all the action, The Olympia Lodge in Pacific Grove is the perfect home base for your sophisticated escape.

Let’s explore the “trifecta” of Monterey Bay’s luxury experiences: golf, gourmet dining, and our iconic car culture.

Tee Off on the Edge of the World: Monterey’s Legendary Links

The Monterey Peninsula is, without exaggeration, the golf capital of the western UnitedS. It’s home to a collection of courses so famous they are spoken of in hushed, reverent tones. For golf enthusiasts, playing here isn’t just a game; it’s a pilgrimage.

The “Holy Grail”: Pebble Beach You can’t talk about Monterey Bay golf without starting with the icon: Pebble Beach Golf Links. Consistently ranked the #1 public course in America, Pebble Beach is a “bucket list” item for golfers worldwide. Hosting the AT&T Pro-Am and multiple U.S. Opens, its cliffside fairways and dramatic ocean vistas are legendary. Playing here is an investment, but it’s also the experience of a lifetime. Just next door, its sibling courses—the formidable Spyglass Hill and the Scottish-inspired Links at Spanish Bay—offer their own world-class challenges.

The Local Secret: Pacific Grove Golf Links Want to experience breathtaking ocean views and a classic links-style game without the Pebble Beach price tag? Welcome to the Pacific Grove Golf Links. Affectionately nicknamed “The Poor Man’s Pebble Beach,” this course is a beloved local treasure and one of the best-kept secrets in golf.

The front nine winds through the forested neighborhood of Pacific Grove, but it’s the back nine that will steal your heart. It opens up directly onto the Pacific coastline, with holes running adjacent to the Asilomar State Beach dunes. You’ll putt to the sound of crashing waves, navigate holes lined by ice plant, and enjoy a round at a fraction of the cost of its famous neighbors. It’s one of the most valuable and scenic rounds of golf you can play anywhere in California.

Other World-Class Options For a different-yet-equally-stunning round, Poppy Hills (also in Pebble Beach) offers a challenging course carved through the Del Monte Forest. Or, venture into the sun-drenched Carmel Valley to play at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, a pristine resort course known for its immaculate conditions and walkable layout.

A Culinary Capital Fed by Land and Sea

After a day on the links, the Monterey Peninsula transforms into a paradise for food lovers. Our culinary scene is built on an incredible foundation: the “Salad Bowl of the World” in the nearby Salinas Valley and the cold, bountiful waters of the Monterey Bay. The result is a farm-to-table and ocean-to-fork ethos that runs deep.

Gourmet Dining in Pacific Grove You don’t have to go far from The Olympia Lodge to find an unforgettable meal. Pacific Grove’s dining scene is celebrated for its charm and quality.

• Passionfish: A local institution and a pioneer in sustainable seafood. Their menu is inventive, their wine list is famously affordable, and the atmosphere is perfectly “P.G.”
• Fandango Restaurant: Step into a warm, European-country-style atmosphere. Fandango offers a robust menu of Mediterranean and classic continental dishes, from paella to rack of lamb, all executed with precision.
• The Beach House at Lovers Point: If you want dinner with a spectacular view, this is it. Overlooking the water at Lovers Point, The Beach House serves classic American fare with a focus on fresh seafood, making it the perfect spot for a sunset meal.

Monterey’s Bustling Food Scene Downtown Monterey and the historic Cannery Row are brimming with options. While Cannery Row was once the gritty, industrial heart of the sardine-packing industry, it has been reborn as a vibrant destination. You can find everything from casual seafood joints serving world-famous clam chowder to upscale restaurants with sprawling ocean views.

Carmel’s Fine-Dining Crown For the ultimate epicurean, a short drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea is a must. This fairytale village is home to an astonishing concentration of fine-dining establishments, including the Michelin-starred Aubergine.

Don’t Forget the Wine No gourmet tour is complete without wine. Monterey County is a premier wine-growing region, famous for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The best way to experience it is by taking a short, beautiful drive to Carmel Valley Village, which is clustered with dozens of tasting rooms from local vintners. It’s a perfect, sunny afternoon activity.

The Thrill of the Drive: Monterey’s Iconic Car Culture

There’s something in the air here that calls to automotive enthusiasts. Perhaps it’s the legacy of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which draws the world’s rarest cars every August. Or maybe it’s the challenging, beautiful roads that snake through our hills and along our coast. This is a place built for driving.

The World’s Most Scenic Drive: The 17-Mile Drive

This is the quintessential Monterey car culture experience. The 17-Mile Drive is a private toll road that winds through the exclusive Pebble Beach community and the Del Monte Forest. This is not a drive to be rushed; it’s a journey to be savored.

You’ll pay a small fee at the gate (often waived if you dine at a Pebble Beach restaurant) and be handed a map to guide you. Each stop is more breathtaking than the last:

• The Lone Cypress: The iconic, 250-year-old tree clinging to its granite perch, a symbol of resilience.
• Bird Rock: A bustling offshore haven for sea lions, harbor seals, and countless seabirds.
• Spanish Bay: A beautiful picnic spot where you can watch surfers and stroll on the boardwalk.
• The Lodge at Pebble Beach: Stop to see the 18th green, grab a drink, and soak in the atmosphere of golf history.

The Legend: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Nestled in the hills just east of Monterey, this world-famous racetrack is hallowed ground. It’s home to the legendary “Corkscrew,” a turn that drops the equivalent of 5.5 stories in just 450 feet of track. While major races dot the calendar, you can often visit the track, check out their gift shop, or even look into driving schools and experiences to take on the Corkscrew yourself.

The Ultimate Drive: Highway 1 to Big Sur

If you have a few extra hours, the most famous drive in America awaits. Head south on Highway 1, and the continent seems to fall away into the ocean. This dramatic, winding stretch of road takes you over the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge and along the rugged cliffs of Big Sur. It’s a drive that will stay with you forever, and it’s the perfect embodiment of the freedom and beauty that defines our local car culture.

Your Sophisticated Sanctuary Awaits

After a day of exhilarating activity—whether it’s the thrill of a perfect golf shot, the delight of a five-course meal, or the awe of a coastal drive—you need a place to relax and recharge.

The Olympia Lodge is your tranquil retreat from the bustle. Our spacious, comfortable rooms, nestled in a quiet pine forest, provide the perfect sanctuary. We are ideally located to be your “home base” for all these adventures—just minutes from the 17-Mile Drive entrance, a short drive to the golf links of Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove, and perfectly positioned to explore the culinary scenes of Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Carmel.

You don’t have to choose between luxury and comfort, or between excitement and relaxation. Here, you can have it all.

Book your sophisticated fall getaway at TheOlympiaLodge.com and discover the refined side of Monterey Bay.