Discussion
A long time ago - 1996, but the actual show PB formula doesn't change much. I did Concorso Italiano on the Friday, Laguna Seca Historics on Saturday and Pebble on Sunday. For Pebble we had to park some way from the site and were bussed in from and back to the car on the coast road. There are now a few other events - Auctions, auto/aeronautical and a road rally of classics - which take place during the week prior to thePebble. Very memorable and it's an event which I want to repeat before I peg out. I recall paying $50 entrance fee for self and teenage son at the gate for Pebble but pre-booked the other tickets.
We think of our UK outdoor shows as being impressive but the Concorso was a vast sea of Red and Yellow and just about every permutation of Ferrari, Lambo, Maser, almost as far as the eye could see. At Laguna Seca one was able to stroll through the paddock and then perch on the hillside under shade of the occasional tree and watch Healeys, and TR4s etc. A phenomenon of Pebble Beach is that the weather starts out foggy (and cool for Americans) for an hour or two then brightens up with sunshine later in the day if you're lucky.
The village of Carmel was pleasant and there are are probably even more eateries around there now.
As a 'must do' for car fanatics it takes some beating. Enjoy! as they say over there.
We think of our UK outdoor shows as being impressive but the Concorso was a vast sea of Red and Yellow and just about every permutation of Ferrari, Lambo, Maser, almost as far as the eye could see. At Laguna Seca one was able to stroll through the paddock and then perch on the hillside under shade of the occasional tree and watch Healeys, and TR4s etc. A phenomenon of Pebble Beach is that the weather starts out foggy (and cool for Americans) for an hour or two then brightens up with sunshine later in the day if you're lucky.
The village of Carmel was pleasant and there are are probably even more eateries around there now.
As a 'must do' for car fanatics it takes some beating. Enjoy! as they say over there.
Edited by delta037 on Thursday 15th July 17:56
This will be the first year in 6 that I won't be travelling to Monterey now that I'm no longer responsible for Classic & Sports Car magazine.
Monterey week, where to start...
In no particular order, and with no knowledge of how long you'll be there for, here's my take on it:
Thursday - not much going on, but check out the car guy night up at the Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Rd. Awesome place owned by a racer and car nut. Fantastic Americana, great Mexican food/music/atmosphere. During the day the Tour (road run of most of the cars taking part on Sunday) finishes in downtown Carmel at lunchtime. Carmel is a lovely little place too, so it's worth stopping by here.
Friday - Concorso Italiano. Worth doing now that they've sorted their lives out, but it went through a bad patch for a couple of years. You will probably already be too late to buy tickets for "The Quail - a Motorsports Gathering" but if you can, do it. Fantastic event seen as being the number two to Pebble itself. High ticket price but all food and drink (and it is amazing) is free for ticket holders. Go and indulge, and then check out the Bonhams auction.
Saturday - worth making the trip to the Concours D'Lemons ( linky). A new event, thoroughly tongue in cheek, highly entertaining. After this, go to the track (Laguna Seca, around 10 miles out of Monterey) and walk to the top of the corkscrew. The racing at Laguna is extremely sanitised by comparison to European historics, but everyone should visit Laguna once in their lives, and this is a great opportunity.
Sunday - Pebble. Get in as early as the public are allowed - it gets hellish as the day goes on. I was always on the field by 5am with my press badge, and those in the know tend to leave for breakfast by around 8am and possibly come back for the finish. Amazing backdrop, staggering cars, outlandish hairdos. Pebble is a circus, but you should see it. The concept and modern cars in and around the lodge are worth taking a look at, as is the Gooding Auction tent (the auction runs Saturday and Sunday nights).
Aside from that, downtown Monterey is where the action is at night with the RM and Russo Steele auctions. It'll cost 50 bucks to get into RM, but is an absolute circus and highly entertaining to watch the sale. Recommended.
There are plenty of eateries in Monterey and Carmel. Most are fine, nothing exceptional, and they'll close early (less so in Monterey but certainly in Carmel). One restuarant I would recommend is the Carmel Mission Ranch, an amazing steakhouse overlooking the pacific owned by Clint Eastwood. Unpretentious, but amazing steak and californian Pinot Noir. Not to be missed.
While you're there try picking up a copy of Sports Car Market, which will have a guide to Monterey Week.
HTH
Monterey week, where to start...
In no particular order, and with no knowledge of how long you'll be there for, here's my take on it:
Thursday - not much going on, but check out the car guy night up at the Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Rd. Awesome place owned by a racer and car nut. Fantastic Americana, great Mexican food/music/atmosphere. During the day the Tour (road run of most of the cars taking part on Sunday) finishes in downtown Carmel at lunchtime. Carmel is a lovely little place too, so it's worth stopping by here.
Friday - Concorso Italiano. Worth doing now that they've sorted their lives out, but it went through a bad patch for a couple of years. You will probably already be too late to buy tickets for "The Quail - a Motorsports Gathering" but if you can, do it. Fantastic event seen as being the number two to Pebble itself. High ticket price but all food and drink (and it is amazing) is free for ticket holders. Go and indulge, and then check out the Bonhams auction.
Saturday - worth making the trip to the Concours D'Lemons ( linky). A new event, thoroughly tongue in cheek, highly entertaining. After this, go to the track (Laguna Seca, around 10 miles out of Monterey) and walk to the top of the corkscrew. The racing at Laguna is extremely sanitised by comparison to European historics, but everyone should visit Laguna once in their lives, and this is a great opportunity.
Sunday - Pebble. Get in as early as the public are allowed - it gets hellish as the day goes on. I was always on the field by 5am with my press badge, and those in the know tend to leave for breakfast by around 8am and possibly come back for the finish. Amazing backdrop, staggering cars, outlandish hairdos. Pebble is a circus, but you should see it. The concept and modern cars in and around the lodge are worth taking a look at, as is the Gooding Auction tent (the auction runs Saturday and Sunday nights).
Aside from that, downtown Monterey is where the action is at night with the RM and Russo Steele auctions. It'll cost 50 bucks to get into RM, but is an absolute circus and highly entertaining to watch the sale. Recommended.
There are plenty of eateries in Monterey and Carmel. Most are fine, nothing exceptional, and they'll close early (less so in Monterey but certainly in Carmel). One restuarant I would recommend is the Carmel Mission Ranch, an amazing steakhouse overlooking the pacific owned by Clint Eastwood. Unpretentious, but amazing steak and californian Pinot Noir. Not to be missed.
While you're there try picking up a copy of Sports Car Market, which will have a guide to Monterey Week.
HTH
Stuart, thanks for the info. I will be there on the Sunday. I have an invite to a Morgan event on the Saturday night but will now try and get there a bit earlier on the Saturday.
I'm down in LA and further south Monday to Wednesday taking the kids on the Disney theme park trip ahead of Pebble Beach so it will be one circus followed by another!
I'm down in LA and further south Monday to Wednesday taking the kids on the Disney theme park trip ahead of Pebble Beach so it will be one circus followed by another!
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