Monterey 2013

Planning my trip to Monterey in August (courtesy of my awesome wife!). Never been there before; likely this will be the only time I will go. Suggestions to maximize the experience being accepted...

Book a hotel, umm, yesterday. It's going to be expensive and possibly hard to find at this point in time. Try to book as close to the track as possible or camp, the lines can get pretty long to get in and out.

Which reminds me, I better see if there is still an RV available for rent - we're trying to camp at the track this year but I somehow spaced and forgot about booking an RV. The last couple of years we staid about 1 1/2h away with people we know, but it became a bit of a PITA with all the driving.

Take a hat and plenty of sun screen, and a large memory card for the camera .

If you have last year's CM issue about Monterey, it should give you a good overview regarding all the little gatherings, meetings, auctions and other fun stuff going on and is a good starting point.

Friday is usually less crowded so it's definitely worth trying to get in earlier.

Tim,

Thanks for the info. I did have a package deal arranged through Orbitz (round-trip flight, hotel in Gilroy, and full-size rental car (grand total - $850)), so that's all set.

Do have the CM issue, some stuff from AAA and bookmarked an Internet site promoting the week. Just found the planning a bit overwhelming for a first-timer (and likely only-timer) who wants to do it all and see it all but knows it's not a realistic goal.

Trying not to carry too much with me, but will make sure those items are on hand or in the suitcase. Figuring I will also likely hit the Costco and some other stores in Gilroy for things like bottled water and supplies to keep costs down.

Thanks again!

Bring clothing for hot weather (Laguna Seca) and cold weather. (Monterey in morning / night) The difference in temps between the track and the coast can be 20 degrees or more.

Plan ahead and realize that traffic will be a bear. The upside is you'll be stuck in traffic with some amazing machinery. I was in a traffic jam with a Ferrari F50 a few years ago......only in Monterey!

The Baja Cantina on Carmel Valley Rd. is a great -- automotive themed restaurant / bar. Great food, friendly people, and prices that are reasonable. (rare in Monterey) Leaving Laguna Seca out the front entrance--- take a left, then a right at your first light ( Laurel Grade Rd.) It's a fun ride up and over the mountain with beautiful scenery. Once you get to Carmel Valley Rd. take a right-- the Cantina is a couple of miles up on your left hand side--- right across the street from the Quail Resort.

The Crown and Anchor in downtown Monterey is also a fun English pub. If you see Tony IIRC (the owner) tell him a joke---- there's a good chance you'll get him going----- he knows more corny jokes than any man alive!

Make sure you go to the auctions in Monterey, or at least hang out downtown on Friday and Sat. The entire town is a crazy car show with million dollar machinery being commonplace.

If you go to Pebble, get there VERY early. Later in the morning it gets very crowded making it hard to take good photos. Also, bring something period to wear. There will be all kinds of wacky outfits on the lawn. Don't worry too much about looking tip-top. Ralph Lauren will be there......you won't be better dressed then he is!

Also, if time permits, head South on PCH and drive through Big Sur-- some of the most spectacular scenery in the world! Stop at the River Inn (rt. hand side about 45 min from Monterey) Great food in a idillic setting.

Have a blast, and look us up. We'll have the CMS / GRM banner flying at the track, at Concorso, the Legends of the Autobahn, and all over!

Joe,

Thanks for the healthy heapin' of info (not to mention the cool pics)! It helped considerably in narrowing things down to a reasonable level; the only blank left is which auction(s) to attend. Now I just want to skip the next two months and head straight for California! Will definitely stop by and visit when I see the GRM/CMS booth.

If you do make it out to the track stop by our paddock, I'll be racing my Austin Healey 100-6 MM # 414 in Group 3A, 1955-1962 production GT. I just received the grid, 3 Ferrari 250's, included 1 GTO, 2 Aston Martin DB5 GT's, about a dozen Corvettes (the feature marque) and the usually Porsches, Afla's, etc. It should be a good show.....

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Dougie Portland, Oregon

paid $750 a night when we went in 2011

Hey I want to chine in as well. One of the cooler, and amazingly free, events is the Legends of the Autobahn concours on Friday. As I said ti is free and well worth attending. If you are in town as early as Tuesday be sure to see the Carmel Cncours on the Avenue, it is also free and in downtown Monterey.

Also remember that we have auction tours on Wednesday and Thursday. The Wednesday tours are RM at 10AM and Russo and Steele at 1PM. The Thursday tour is of Bonhams at 10AM. All these tours are complimentary to subscribers and $25 for non subscribers. They include free admission to each auction as well and are fun.

Besides that, anything else you do depends on the types of cars you like. Concorso Italiano is the place to see everything from Fiat's, to Alfa's, Lamborghini's, Ducati's, Ferrari's and the like. If you have a ticket to the Quail consider yourself very lucky. If you ant to hob nob, consider getting a ticket to the McCalls Jetsetter party.

Sorry for the late reply; just spent vacation time out where the Internet doesn't run (northern Wisconsin).

Dougie, Austin-Healey 100s have been a long-time favorite of mine; I will check your beautiful ride out as I have locked in tickets for the Monterey Historics.

Andy, I had scheduled the flight early to start with the Carmel Concours as that looked really cool and also cruise the PCH and the local area a little bit before things get crazy. Thank you for the reminder about the auction tours; I would definitely be interested in participating on Wednesday so I'd be interested in more details. Thanks for all the additional info.

Thanks to all who have shared information; I think I have some realistic ideas and plans firmly in place (but with a little leeway - just in case). Looking forward to crossing paths in August!

Get a Quail Ticket. They are available for the first time in forever. This is the very best event during Monterey week.

Here is the email they just sent me.

We have a very limited supply of tickets for the Quail event, Friday August 16th at the Quail Lodge.

Quail tickets are available now for $550.00 (face value) and sold on a first come first serve basis.

Click here to reserve your tickets today: info@mccallevents.com

I don't want to thread-jack, but I'm in the same position as rambler68, I will be attending my first (and probably last) Monterey historics this year. We happen to be visiting some of my wife's family in Marina.

Today, I just received my tickets for the Saturday and Sunday race at Laguna Seca. Very exited!

While the week-end will be mine, I was wondering if it's a good idea to bring the boys (4 & 6 years old) for one of the free shows? Is it kid friendly?

Monterey is totally kid friendly--- this is a high brow series of events, no need to worry about people getting drunk, naked or obnoxious. Well, you may run into obnoxious folks, but they will be the snooty rich kind.

I'd bring lots of sunblock, and ear protection for the kids-- it can get hot and loud. It is also cold in the mornings, so plan on temps from 50-90 degrees.

Also make sure to walk the paddock at Laguna Seca--- where else where your kids be able to see, touch (and maybe sit in) a Jag D-Type, or pontoon fendered Ferrari Testarossa?!

The Monterey aquarium is world class too if your kids are into fishes and marine life.

In reply to fanfoy:

No problem thread-jacking; you can even up by buying me a Quail ticket . Seriously, I hope you and your boys enjoy the events you get to see during your visit.

Here's a link I came across while doing my research; hopefully it can be of some use: http://www.montereycarweek.com/Events.html

Bring the kids by and I'll get them both strapped in for some pictures.....

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In reply to rambler68:

Thanks for the link. I was looking for a complete schedule like that.

In reply to dougie:

Deal ! Your car is gorgeous by the way.

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=CA0813-161586&entryRow=374

You can always go bid on the fauxrarri from Ferris Buellers Day off

yamaha wrote: http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=CA0813-161586&entryRow=374 You can always go bid on the fauxrarri from Ferris Buellers Day off

I loved that movie and still do. My kids laugh when I start recite the lines word for word. Good times.

Dougie

yamaha wrote: http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail.cfm?LOT_ID=CA0813-161586&entryRow=374 You can always go bid on the fauxrarri from Ferris Buellers Day off

Damn... as kit/reproduction cars go, that one is gorgeous.

Classy...

Or you can buy my 1997 DB7 at Russo and Steele.

Twelve days left before we hit the track at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway in the Rolex Monterey Historic Reunion. Spent most of the day in the garage preparing # 414 for vintage racing's best competition. My Group 3A Grid looks pretty stacked, can't wait to mix it up with some of these multi million dollar cars....

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Good luck, and have fun on the track - it is an amazing track.

We won't be making it this year unfortunately, hope to be back on the spectator side of things next year.