The Gosby House Inn, Pacific Grove

By Stephanie Wright Hession

Sitting in the parlor of this 1887 Victorian bed-and-breakfast in downtown Pacific Grove, with its flickering fire, tapestry settee and classical music playing in the background, one expects Colin Firth in full Mr. Darcy attire to appear in the doorway. OK, wrong century and country, but the genteel nature of the Gosby House Inn, amid a quaint seaside community, evokes such daydreaming.

The Gosby House Inn. Photo by Stephanie Wright Hession

The Gosby House contains 22 rooms, each with a distinct decor. They include the Jim Jim, a petite room with a queen-size bed and an outside entrance and the Carriage House, a separate, two-story building offering superior king guest rooms with a fireplace, large spa tub and a private balcony. 

The Jim Jim Room. Photo courtesy of the Gosby House Inn

We made our way up the inn's main staircase to the Harper Margaret room, spacious, light-filled accommodations. Inside, a comfortable, king-size bed featured a scrolled headboard and lemon-hued, printed bedding. A pair of upholstered, wing back chairs in front of the windows provided an ideal perch to view Lighthouse Avenue and see a slip of the ocean.

The Harper Margaret Room. Photo courtesy of the Gosby House Inn

The lobby is also the breakfast room, where guests serve themselves from a buffet that includes a hot entree such as quiche or blueberry pancakes, fresh fruit, a fresh baked good, juices, coffee and tea. The inn also offers breakfast in bed for an additional fee of $10 per day by advance request. In the afternoon, complimentary carafes of red and white wine are set out next to trays of savory hors d'oeuvres. Guests settle in on the couch, at tables or in the parlor next door.

The pretty garden behind the inn contains flower boxes and beds filled with fuchsias, ivy geraniums and hydrangeas.

The garden at the Gosby House Inn. Photo courtesy of the Gosby House Inn

Pacific Grove is an idyllic and very walkable coastal community with a small-town atmosphere and stunning ocean views. It's dotted with graceful Victorians, pastel-colored cottages, art galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

Nose around the fountains, statuary and adorable gift section of Miss Trawick's Garden Shop, savor the sunset from the Recreation Trail or enjoy tasty American fare at the Red House Cafe or several other wonderful restaurants. Nature lovers will enjoy the monarch butterfly sanctuary and marine life.

The daily breakfast buffet is 8-10 a.m.; the hors d'oeuvres and wine are served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. No smoking, children welcome. There's no private parking but free, overnight street parking is available on side streets next to the inn. Although we slept peacefully, light sleepers should opt for rooms facing the garden since Lighthouse Avenue gets noisy at times. The attentive staff and charming atmosphere make the Gosby House Inn a pleasurable place to stay.

Gosby House Inn, 643 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. (800) 527-8828, www.gosbyhouseinn.com. Standard rates $120 to $300; Dogs are welcome to say in a pet friendly room by prior approval and advance reservation.