Located two blocks from the beach and starting at only $85 a night on an on-season weekend, (less for weeknights), The Central Avenue House is one of the best kept secrets at the Jersey Shore, and perfect for a quiet beach getaway.

Fourth-generation owner Jennifer Sirois keeps a tight ship, and knows how to run a fine hotel. The 12-rooms in the 1800's inn are immaculate, the shared baths are spotless, the beds are firm and comfy, and the guest house has the best water pressure of any b&b I’ve visited.

Every room has a signature style, with a distinct feel and story. Jen’s great grandmother was born in the room we stayed at. In their family for more than 140 years, the living room of the Central Avenue House is lined with photos of the Sirios family legacy at the inn, detailing their deep roots to area.

The Central Avenue House is in a prime beach location, and close to so many great restaurants, pubs, and shops that we didn’t even have to get back in the car until we were headed home. Guests receive a lot of complimentary amenities, including loaner beach chairs and boogie boards, discounted beach passes, and the best homemade granola I ever had.

Jen also provides free Café du Monde coffee in the guest kitchen downstairs.  Yes, there is even a kitchen, so you can cook or reheat lunch and save your money for a visit to the Pinball Museum across the way in Asbury. Although, with all of the great restaurants less than a mile’s walk away, you won’t want to miss out.

Walking through Ocean Grove is like stepping into a black and white tv show, complete with cheery Victorian houses, old time shops, and neighbors who actually say hello as you walk down the tree lined streets. Even the squirrels are nice in Ocean Grove----we met one that basically sat in our chair as we shared our morning breakfast.

The Ocean Grove boardwalk is a classic, and if you turn left, you’ll find the old Casino relic seen in The Wrestler, as you cross into Asbury Park. Turn right, and you’ll pass another 6 miles of small beach towns, all connected by the boardwalk, perfect for running or strolling.

Ocean Grove is a sleepy, dry (read: alcohol-free), historic town that is a blaring dichotomy to Asbury’s Park’s edge, and you really can have the best of both worlds. There is that whole Methodist thing, (Ocean Grove was founded in 1869 as a Methodist camp, and remains the longest-active camp meeting site in the country). Saturday nights, you’ll pass swarms of people going towards a huge church as you head across the waterway towards the hip and trendy Cookman Ave., for a drink.

Then, it’s nice to head back to the quiet Central Avenue House, and relax on the upstairs guest porch, where you can hear the ocean as you get ready to do it all again the next day.