My upcoming trip to Monterey, CA

[GH85Carrera]

OK, I would like more input from the brain trust.

I am traveling to Monterey, CA and my journey begins on Friday the 13th.

I will press on for 900 miles the first day and get to Flagstaff, AZ the first night. I have stayed in Flagstaff before and the motel was right next to the dang railroad. I don't want that to happen again. Where is a good place to stay in the area? I can go a few miles further down I-40 to Williams but it looks like the RR is right through town.

I don't want the flea bag motel but I don't want the Ritz either. Any suggestion on where to stay in that area?

Question two is who wants to meet up in Monterey, on Saturday evening? I will buy your first beer or tea or whatever. No high dollar drinks on my tab please. I would love to go to dinner with any of you. Don't tell me about great Mexican food. We have that here and great steaks here. I plan on lots of SEAFOOD.

The 24 hours of Le Mans should be running. I think the hotel bar is supposed to have that on.

I will be available on one night during the week, and Saturday the 21st. I plane to get in bed fairly early on the 21st. I will have spent the day at Laguna Secca and I need to start for home on Sunday.

[javadog]

There's a small cluster of hotels off of I-17, North of I-40. Probably a mile from the tracks...


I usually stay in Carmel, so these will be a few miles away, although probably closer than the actual town of Monterey is from the Parade hotel, I'd guess.

Pacific's Edge
Casanova
Anton & Michel
Flying Fish Grill
Aubergine
Patisserie Boissiere

Also, look up 3 CARMEL RESTAURANTS.

JR

[GH85Carrera]

Thanks JR, but I am looking for a motel near the Flagstaff area. I have the Monterey hotels taken care of. I will be at the Hyatt Regency for Parade.

The restaurants are good info. Thanks.

Edit, I guess your motels were in flagstaff. Sorry.

[javadog]

Those are in Flagstaff... Consult a map.

As for the restaurants, book a table early. Like now...

If you want to go to Pacific's Edge, book a table near the windows at around a half hour before sunset. Drink a few cocktails, so you have time to watch the sun set.

Don't wait until you are there to make the reservations.

I haven't been hugely impressed with the restaurants in Monterey, so I didn't list any.

JR

[Seabear]

Glen
We stayed at the Drury's Hotel in Flagstaff, good clean room, didn't hear the trains, competitive rate, and free beers/wine/drinks before dinner. Just behind the hotel is the Northern Arizona U restaurant for their hospitality program. Good selection of beers in the bar, good food, reasonable prices, and two minute walk back to the hotel.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Seabear

Glen

We stayed at the Drury's Hotel in Flagstaff, good clean room, didn't hear the trains, competitive rate, and free beers/wine/drinks before dinner. Just behind the hotel is the Northern Arizona U restaurant for their hospitality program. Good selection of beers in the bar, good food, reasonable prices, and two minute walk back to the hotel.

Thanks that is what I wanted. You had me at good selection of beer and walking distance back to the motel.

[Baz]

Yo Glen,

When I visited Monterey in '03 I really enjoyed the Monterey Aquarium and Cannery Row.

Monterey Bay is very picturesque and worth spending some time at as well. Both right next to each other.

Have fun!

[javadog]

Couple more... Wife also used to like Fresh Cream in Monterey. I wasn't as impressed. No idea if it is still around. Little Napoli in Carmel is decent and cheap.

JR

[wildthing]

Sea Harvest Fish Market & Restaurant, one in Carmel, another in Monterey.

I will be on the Big Sur Drive on Tues...

[rusnak]

Hey Glen, a beer with you would be awesome. But I'm far from Monterey. Lots of great seafood places there!

[a&j]

Glen,

I usually use Marriott (also Courtyard, etc.)...decent and consistent service experience to date that will not break the bank PLUS I never had issues in their parking accommodations. Since we don't know your allotted budget, you could also try these links to get a feel of a variety of choices for your overnight pit stop...

airbnb.com

Where to Stay in Flagstaff AZ | Flagstaff Hotels Cabins and Vacation Homes - Flagstaff.com

Welcome to the Monterey peninsula! Already have prior obligation for that weekend...maybe the 21st. You picked the right time to visit.

Events | Porsche Parade | June 15 - 21, 2014 | Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Since you looking for an excuse to drive/parade from the Hyatt, try cruising to Nepenthe in Big Sur via PCH/Highway 1 south for some Ambrosia burger and they might have specials like marinated fresh Monterey sardines, grilled swordfish with sour cream caper sauce to name a few seafood fares...plus the drive to from the hotel is so much fun.

Hope that helps.

Allen

[GH85Carrera]

Thanks folks. Good info.

I am registered at Parade. My wife is cheating and flying out on Monday. I get to run up to San Jose and pick her up and take her back on Friday. We are doing three of the PCA driving tours.

The offer stands to Pelicans I have not met. I want to meet up with you guys and I will buy the first beer (or iced tea or soda) or at least say howdy.

I should get into Monterey Saturday afternoon and I have all day Sunday to get situated. I will find the local grocery store, liquor store, and good gas station. Of course part of that day will be the infamous one bucket of water car wash.

[Mahler9th]

I hope that you have a safe and memorable trip. I hope to visit the Parade Concours which I think is on Monday June 16.

I suspect that there will be a sea of Porsches in and around Monterey, though probably not as many as were there for RR IV.

[GH85Carrera]

I have heard registration is at 1,200. Most folks have a car there. Some have several.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I get to run up to San Jose and pick her up and take her back on Friday.

Depending on your wife's arrival & departure times, heavy commute traffic along the route to the airport could be an issue. If you plan on using Hiway 101 between Monterey & San Jose, be advised that it's a gridlock nightmare heading NB every weekday morning from around 6am-10am. Travelling SB, it's really bad in the afternoons between 2pm-6pm. Leave yourself lots of extra time if you're on the 101 during those hours. The good news is that the really bad congestion is only found between Morgan Hill and San Jose. Also be advised that getting in or out of the Monterey area will be a PITA during commute hours too. There are only a few routes you can take, and they're all clogged during rush hour.

If you drive up to San Jose using Hiway 1 thru Santa Cruz to Hiway 17 (the airport is right off Hiway 17, although it's called the 880 at that point), you'll be within spitting distance of Canepa Design in Scotts Valley (just north of Santa Cruz). It's well worth a stop, if you have some extra time on the way up or back.

Canepa

Using the Hiway 1 - to Hiway 17 - to Route 880 path to the airport will take you about 2 hours during non-commute times. I've never done the 101 route between Monterey and San Jose, so I can't comment on the drive time.

Which Saturday night did you want to meet up for beers...the 14th or the 21st?

[GH85Carrera]

Either or both!

How about the 14th. I will send a PM with my cell phone number.

Thanks for the info about the airport. Her flight is scheduled to arrive at 10:20AM I was wanting to hit the Concours event, sneak out to the airport and zip back before the concours is over. I want to get there and back the fastest way possible.

What time should I leave the hotel going north to the airport on Monday morning?

[javadog]

Don't even try to view the concours before you leave, unless it starts a lot earlier than I remember. It's over 2 hours to the airport, unless traffic backs up. I'd probably leave early, like 7 or 7:30, so I could be waiting on her when she rolls out the door. Then haul ass back.

I'd make sure she carries little or no luggage to slow her down and tell her to hit the bathroom on the plane on the way into SF.

[GH85Carrera]

She is only carrying one bag as a carry-on. I am hauling all the luggage in the car.

I was figuring on leaving at 8:30 or so and if I can do it in two hours that is perfect. So maybe I should leave at 8:00

[javadog]

If it was me, I'd consider leaving earlier. If you hit traffic on the way up, you'll just get back that much later. Leaving at 8:30 sounds like a recipe for disappointment.

You might get up early, watch them drive the cars onto the field, then haul ass.

I haven't made the trip north on a Monday morning in a while, so I'm not familiar with how bad the traffic gets. Maybe a local resident can offer some feedback.

JR

[porsche4life]

Isn't there a shuttle or something she could catch?