Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance 2014

[MMiller]

Thinking about going this year. Wanted to know if those who have been or are in the know on the event could share some insight?

Best events?
Things not worth doing?
Unique places to stay without breaking the bank ( don't mind a little drive)
Any insight you can share is much appreciated

regards,

[RonDent]

Mike,
Can't say much about which events to see. I spend both weekends working the track at Laguna Seca. But be prepared to spend a ton for a room. You may have to check for a room in Gilroy, Watsonville or even San Jose (about and hours drive) to find something affordable. Plenty of good places to eat. Lot of fun drives. HiWay 1 South or HiWay 9 though the mountians. The free car show downtown are fun too.

[Scott Douglas]

That week is really something to see up there.
Only time I've been to the concours was as a photographer on someone else's dime. It was very interesting and should be on everyone's bucket list to do at least once. As Ron says, if you don't have a room booked by now you'll be enjoying a drive into town for sure. My brother lives in San Martin and it's not too bad a drive down from there.
I'd definitely plan on seeing the Tour that the show cars take. It's part of the judging from what I understand. I think it's held on the Thursday before. You'll get to see them running which for me is what it's all about. The Legends of the Autobahn show has been taken over and is now going to be a big Porsche fest so that'll be worth finding out more about as details come available.

[Bob Kontak]

I stayed at the Italian Concours until the end of the event.

Was quite cool to listen to the cars leave sitting under a tree in the shade.

[MMiller]

Thanks guys for the input.....I guess I better start looking for some place to stay.

regards,

[rcooled]

I've been going to Monterey Car Week every year for quite a while now, and I'd recommend the following:

Tuesday kicks off the week with the Concours on the Avenue in Carmel. This is a must-see event. The entire downtown area is closed off and you'll get to see some magnificent classic, sports & race cars up close & personal. There's always a huge turnout of classic Porsches and Ferraris at this event too, and it's free to the public.

Wednesday afternoon is the Little Car Show in Pacific Grove, featuring lots of quirky micro-cars and other oddballs...some of which you've probably never even heard of. This is a fun little show, and is free to the public. Wednesday evening is Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Airport Jet Center. Tickets are pricey, but this event features some amazing cars, along with vintage & contemporary aircraft, in a unique setting. Food & drink are included with admission.

Thursday is the Tour d' Elegance, where priceless classics that'll be participating in Sunday's concours will tour around the area. You can stake out a spot along the route to see & hear these cars as they cruise by, or meet them at their lunch stop in Carmel. Once again, downtown is closed to traffic and all the cars will be on display while the owners chow down in the park. This is free to the public too, and is a great way to see many of the cars that'll be on the lawn at Pebble Beach without having to pay for the privilege.
On Thursday afternoon & evening, there's the Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally, where anybody can participate with their own vintage car. Check it out to see a nice collection of interesting local cars that don't cost millions. Free to the public.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday is vintage racing at Laguna Seca, with an incredible collection of historic race cars to be seen doing what they do best. Maserati will be featured this year. On Friday at the Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, there's the Quail-a Motorsports Gathering. This is a pricey event that features classic sports & racing cars in an beautiful setting, with complimentary food & drink provided by some of the areas finest restaurants. There is the Bonhams auction on site here too. Saturday is also the Concorso Italiano at the Black Horse golf course in Monterey. It's a celebration of style, with more Italian exotics than you're probably ever seen in one place.
Saturday night is the Gooding Auction at Pebble Beach. This is one of the few auctions that you don't need to be a bidder to attend. I saw a Ferrari 275 GTS fetch over $12M here a couple of years ago.

Sunday is the big show...the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. This is considered to be the finest concours in the world, and features cars that we mere mortals rarely, if ever, will get to see. Sure it's expensive, but it's the kind of thing that every serious car guy needs to do at least once in their lifetime.

As for accommodations, you might try Salinas, Watsonville or Santa Cruz. Anything on, or near, the Monterey Peninsula will be super-expensive, and these other locations would offer some less costly options. Santa Cruz is farthest away, and is about a 45 minute drive north of Monterey.

[carreraken]

Don't forget the Porsche Werks Reunion this year...

[MMiller]

More great stuff...just what I needed.

Thank you guys