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FRIDAY, AUGUST 11
MONTEREY CAR WEEK KICK-OFF
Monterey Car Week officially kicks off on Alvarado Street in Old Monterey on Friday, August 11 from 5pm-7pm. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosts this free classic car show featuring over 30 classic race cars accompanied by their drivers and live music.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE
Concours on the Avenue will be held Tuesday, August 15 from 10am-5pm. Sixteen blocks of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea will showcase over 175 domestic and foreign collector vehicles.
CLASSIC MOTORSPORTS KICK-OFF CAR SHOW AND CRUISE
Hundred of classic sports cars and vintage automobiles line up along Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove on Tuesday, August 15 from 3pm-7pm.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16
CARMEL MISSION CLASSIC
The iconic Carmel Mission is the backdrop for a variety of vintage automobiles during the Carmel Mission Classic on Wednesday, August 16 from 10am-4pm.
THE LITTLE CAR SHOW
Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove lines up all sorts of tiny vehicles during Auto Week. The Little Car Show is Wednesday, August 16 from 12pm-5pm.
PRANCING PONIES CAR SHOW
The Prancing Ponies Car Show is the newest addition to Monterey Car Week. This all women car show lines the streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea on Wednesday, August 16 from 1pm-5pm.
MCCALL'S MOTORWORKS REVIVAL
On Wednesday, August 16 at 5pm the exclusive Motorworks Revival takes centerstage at the Monterey Jet Center from 5pm-10pm. The VIP event showcases some of the best in food, wine and, of course, automobiles.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17
PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D'ELEGANCE
Spectators on roads around Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea will be transported back to the past as classic cars participating in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance drive by on Thursday, August 17. The tour will depart Pebble Beach at 9am and eventually end at Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The cars will be displayed from noon to 2pm on Ocean Avenue, and then will return to Pebble Beach. For some of these vehicles, successful completion of the Tour will be their key to a win in Sunday's Concours.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN
Legends of the Autobahn plays host to beautiful BMWs of all ages, as well as entrants from the Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi clubs who will share this event. The Concours will be held on Friday, August 18 from 8am-3pm at the Nicklaus Club. Judging and displays are limited to members of the four respective clubs, but the public is welcome to walk the grounds and enjoy the beautiful array of German cars!
WERKS REUNION-A PORSCHE GATHERING
The Porsche Club of America hosts the Werks Reunion on Friday, August 18 from 7am-4pm. The show will feature the latest Porsches, special vehicle presentations, celebrity guests, and a surprise or two.
THE QUAIL, A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
Enjoy luxury cars and view the finest in automotive design at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August 18 from 10am to 4pm. Themes include Great Ferraris, Supercars, Sports and Racing Motorcycles and more.
PACIFIC GROVE CONCOURS AUTO RALLY
On Friday, August 18, from 1pm to 5:30pm, Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove will feel like a trip back in time during the Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally presented by the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove. Over 200 cars will participate at this event, which is free for spectators. At 5pm cars will cruise the streets of Pacific Grove. Afterwards, participants and spectators can enjoy a barbecue dinner at Chataqua Hall.
EXOTICS ON CANNERY ROW
On Friday, August 18, from 3pm-8pm, Cannery Row in Monterey becomes a haven for rare and exotic cars from around the world. Exotics on Cannery Row is free to the public and will showcase a variety of automobiles and vendors.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
CONCORSO ITALIANO
The legendary Concorso Italiano, makes its home at Black Horse Golf Course. Celebrate all things Italian with displays of Italian fashion and art and great Italian food and music, as well as over 800 Italian cars. This year's event will be held Saturday, August 19 from 9:30am-5pm.
CONCOURS D'LEMONS
Craving Pintos, Pacers and Corvairs instead of Porsches, Ferraris and Rolls-Royces? For an auto show that is the reverse of everything the Concours d'Elegance holds dear, head to Concours d'LeMons on Saturday, August 19 from 10am-1:30pm at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside.
THE BARNYARD FERRARI EVENT
The Barynard in sprinkled with bright and sleek Ferraris on Saturday, August 19 from 4pm-7pm. Spectators can lust over dozens of Ferraris with great local wines, plenty of delicious food, and live music among the Barnyard's signature gardens.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE
The banal term "auto show" hardly befits the most elegant exhibition of classic automotives in the world. Only the finest 200 classic cars will be allowed onto the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links during this event. The culmination of a week of classic automotives, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will celebrate Ferrari’s 70th Anniversary, with four full classes of Ferraris, including special classes for One-Off Spéciales and Major Race Winners. It will also feature Isotta Fraschini, Castagna Coachwork, American Dream Cars of the 1960s, California Specials that Raced at Pebble Beach, and Vanderbilt Renaults. In tandem with the Pebble Beach Concours, Ferrari will host its own Ferrari 70th Anniversary Concours on the first fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, drawing as many as 70 additional prancing horses. Opens to spectators on Sunday, August 20 at 10:30am. Purchase tickets on the official Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance website.
HISTORIC RACES
ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
While seeing classic cars on a golf course may be a treat, watching them compete on one of the world's finest racetracks is a can't-miss experience. See historic cars in motion at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Monterey Pre-Reunion races will be held Saturday-Sunday, August 12-13 while the main event takes place Thursday-Sunday, August 17-20 from 8:30am until 4:30pm every day. Tickets can be purchased at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca website.
Remember to buy your ticket for Laguna Seca's 'Motorsports Reunion' Historic Races prior to getting to the track to save money.
My recommendation is the authorized agents at the Shell Gasoline Station next to Home Depot on Canyon del Rey Blvd & US 1!
AUCTIONS
Visitors with deep pockets who want to do more than look at the cars can attend auctions throughout the week.
WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS PACIFIC GROVE AUCTION
The Worldwide Auctioneers Auction takes place at the scenic Pacific Grove Golf Links on Thursday, August 17th. This new showcase and auction showcases roughly 70 historic automobiles in the spectacular oceanside setting.
MECUM MUSCLE CARS AND MORE
The Hyatt Regency Monterey hosts muscle cars, motorcycles and more during the Mecum Auction. The general public is invited to view items up for sale August 17-19. Admission is $30 per person.
RUSSO AND STEELE
"Sports and Muscle in Monterey" by Russo and Steele takes over the waterfront of Old Fisherman's Wharf August 17-19. Previews open on August 16th. Admission is $30 per person.
BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS AUCTION
One of the largest and oldest auctions take place at Quail Lodge Golf Club on August 18. Spectators can view and bid on rare automobiles, fine art and antique pieces.
RM AUCTIONS' SPORTS & CLASSICS OF MONTEREY
Fine classic cars and unique sports cars, including a dedicated Ford-themed auction, will be auctioned at RM Auctions' Sport & Classics of Monterey at the Portola Hotel & Spa, August 18-19. In total, over 200 investment cars will be auctioned off. Preview passes are $40; a $300 bidder registration includes two preview passes, two auction passes and includes an auction catalog.
PEBBLE BEACH AUCTIONS PRESENTED BY GOODING & COMPANY
The Pebble Beach Auction is one of the premier automotive auctions in the world and has set many world records. The auction itself takes place August 18-19, but window-shoppers can admire the breathtaking displays of automotive magic beginning on August 16th.
ART AND ACCESSORIES
Seaside's Embassy Suites hosts Automobilia Monterey, an exhibition of original vintage posters, hood ornaments, signs, scale models, and much more, all connected to the history of the automobile August 15-16 from 10am to 6pm. Many items will be for sale; there will also be a silent auction. Admission is $20.
Visitors to Pebble Beach can enjoy Pebble Beach RetroAuto, an exhibit showing not only automobiles from the past, but photos, tools, and other objects associated with automobiles of yore. The RetroAuto pavilion at The Inn at Spanish Bay is open August 17-19 from 9:30am to 5:30pm. The Inn at Spanish will also play host to several Classic Car Forums August 17-19.
Here is a list of my favorite restaurants & wine tasting rooms in our area in case
it might be useful to some of you visiting during the Monterey Historics!
Mission Ranch on 26270 Dolores Street behind the Carmel Mission. (American). http://www.missionranchcarmel.com/restaurant.htm
Clint's only remaining restaurant in Carmel. Don't bother
with the one he sold long ago - Hog's Breath.
Other restaurants in Carmel Valley & Carmel Valley Village that I recommend:
Baja Cantina (Mexican) on 7166 Carmel Valley Road (not far from Carmel-by-the-Sea): http://www.carmelcantina.com
The weekly gathering of sport cars & hot rods is on Thursdays!
The Baja Cantina owner, auto collector Pat Phinny, also is the proprietor of 'Turn 12'
restaurant (American) in downtown Monterey - thus named because Laguna Seca
has 11 turns! http://www.turn12barandgrill.com
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Carmel Valley Village (20/30 minute drive from Carmel).
Can also be accessed via Laureles Grade from Route 68
in vicinity of Laguna Seca):
Talbott was owned by a friend, notable motorcycle collector, Robb Talbott!
Carmel Mid-Valley
Jeffrey's Grill / 112 Mid Valley Center / Great Breakfast & Brunch spot.
Halfway to Carmel Village. Closer to Quail Lodge & Carmel proper! http://www.jeffreysgrillandcatering.com
*******
By the way, you can drive from Carmel to Greenfield
(on 101, south of Salinas) via Carmel Valley Road and Monterey County G16 Road. Pretty twisty...and a good Porsche interior road to drive!
Do you have any recommendations
for avoiding traffic, getting around
during the week? Is it best to be
on the move early in the morning
and then walk?
a) Come into Carmel as early as you
can on Tuesday for the Concours-on-
the-Avenue to find a parking spot.
It will be pretty crowded early on!
Same on Thursday for the Pebble
Rally lunch stop on Ocean Avenue!
And if a metered or time-limited
spot, be mindful of the time parked!
Carmel Police fund their retirement
fund with parking tickets this week!
b) Get to McCall's Airport party close
to 5 PM. There is remote parking but
with good shuttle service. If you try
to get in later, you'll run into heavy
south-bound traffic on US 1 as workers
& tourists head out of town at the same
time!
c) Route 68 on Friday will be a mess
with traffic for Werks Reunion at its
new location in Corral de Tierra (first
year!) & Laguna Seca Historics Races.
So plan accordingly!
d) On Sunday you can park on the streets
of Carmel for free & take a paid shuttle
to the entrance gate of the Pebble Beach
Concours. And then same shuttle service
back to Carmel after the show. Perhaps
the smartest parking alternative to attend
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance that day!
If anyone is looking for a hotel, I have an unoccupied room at the Monterey Plaza for Thursday through Monday (may be able to change to Wednesday through Sunday) and payment is made directly to the hotel. PM me if you're interested.