Tips and suggestions for the Monterey and Pebble Beach car weekend

If you’ve wanted to know how to get the most out of the three "main" days during the big Monterey Car Weekend, including the Pebble Beach show, I have some suggestions for you. If you can’t find lodging or don’t want to pay at least $300 for a 3-night minimum, check Craigslist for those renting rooms or residences for that weekend. Can you believe there are people who go out of town and avoid the activity that weekend? Well, unfortunately for the first time since moving to California, I’m one of them. Never again! Here is a rundown so go enjoy it for the both of us! If driving from the north, take Hwy 17 to Hwy 1 and enjoy a California driving experience. Highway 101 isn’t nearly a fun.

Friday: The Concorso Italiano – one of the finest exotic and sports car shows, possibly in the world. Easier to get into than the Quail show which is probably sold out and more expensive, it’s the tourist’s show. You’ll never see so many Ferraris and Lamborghinis in one place. Excellent vendors and now that it’s back on a golf course versus the dismal airport, plan on taking 100 pictures that day. Well, every day, really.

Tips:
1. Arrive early and make it a superbly relaxing day.
2. Show your car foreign or domestic in the non-Italian corral if it has any noteworthy performance or styling element. Decals and stickers don’t count…
3. Pack chairs and all the fixings for a picnic if you show your car. Invite your friends to come by. 4. Hang out around the Lamborghinis for a while. Some of the owners stand out like their cars. And that is just way cool. You may recognize an "art car" or two as well.
5. Ferrari owners are very fun. Keep an eye out for an F-50, a very rare sight at the Concorso, or anywhere for that matter.
6. At the end of the day, check out where the entrant’s cars exit the grounds. You’ll hear some exotic sounds to be sure and maybe a brief "exhibition of horsepower."

After the show, head over to the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Preview the excellent displays of concept and pre-production cars outside the lodge, have a drink and walk down to the 18th fairway where there is probably a special display that may not be there Sunday.

Friday and Saturday evenings: Hit the auctions! Also, stop by one of the fabulous restaurants on Alvarado street in downtown Monterey (not Cannery Row!) about 1 hour before you plan on eating. That way if you don’t have reservations, you still might get a seat, including at the bar. Check out all the cool cars cruising down the one-way street.

Regarding the auctions, the largest and most diverse, including art and jewelry displays, is the RM Auctions at the Portola Hotel and Spa and Monterey Conference Center at the end of the street. The preview area is a show in itself. It’s guaranteed a few celebrities will be selling their cars or sitting in the audience. For more classic and muscle cars, check out the Russo and Steele auction on the next street over.

Saturday: The Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca. A spectacular event with manufacturer displays and vintage racing. If Sunday's D'elegance isn't for you, the racing later in the day on Sunday will have some very fast race cars of the past. Depending upon the schedule, some of the classes are faster than the fastest on Saturday.

Tips:
1. Pack some food and drink in a backpack. Sunscreen and a hat too.
2. Bring cash for the excellent vendors. From clothing, shoes (Pilottis!), sunglasses, model cars, posters and artwork. And food, did I mention food?
3. Arrive early enough to park and walk the vendor displays (1.5 - 2 hours) then check out the actual races in the afternoon vs. the qualifying (LINK)
4. After the races, walk fast to your car so you’re not stuck in traffic
5. Head back to The Lodge at Pebble Beach to check out the latest additions to the displays outside before the car covers get put on the concept cars in front of the Lodge entrance.
6. Hit the auctions again!

Sunday: The Pebble Beach Concours D’elegance– the finest in the world, by invitation only, are on display. You'll notice a very European presence as well. People watching is off the chart and the judging panel is a Who’s Who in the automotive industry. If you haven’t seen Jay Leno in person by now, you will here. Not to mention he is the guest MC for the raffle. You won’t mind the crowds outside the Lodge because you’ve already previewed the cars on Friday and Saturday. Be patient with the crowds around the cars, you’ll have better photo opportunities as the day goes by. Actor Ed Herman and crew do a great job presenting the cars. The owners are very informative as well.

Tips:
1. Enter in either entrance because you’ll see some great sights as you make your way to the coastline on 17 Mile Drive and park there to take the tour bus to the show.
2. Plan on walking, a lot.
3. You may love the poster and the clothing branded for the show as well. So bring more money, again.
4. Don’t miss Jay’s witty banter during the raffle. He will assuredly make fun of the billionaires in the audience that buy 10 or more $100 raffle tickets for a $25,000 - $30,000 car.
5. If you are unable to get close to the drive-up display area for the chosen finalists, the big screen at the far end of the fairway is a great alternative.
6. Alternatively wait around the corral where the chosen cars end up to see them drive by.

Sunday afternoon/evening: You’re might be tired, you’re "car’d out", and you put a dent in the pocket book. But wait, there’s more! Conclude the evening at the Gooding and Company http://www.goodingco.com/main.html auction at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center. Finish off with a dinner at Roy’s at The Inn at Spanish Bay and you’ve avoided the traffic driving home. Have a great time!