This is it! If you’re one of the many auto enthusiasts in town this weekend, you’re already set for one of the biggest car events of the year—the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Here’s a tour of the weekend’s festivities…
Rallies: There are more concourses this weekend than there are days to have them! Besides the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this Sunday, August 21, you might want to check out the Central California chapter of the German Marque Concours/2011 Legends of the Autobahn, celebrating German craftsmanship with BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz at the Rancho Canada Golf Ranch in Carmel Valley. The Concorso Italiano brings Italy’s finest to the Monterey area—automobiles, wine and dining, even a fashion show presenting some of Carmel’s best boutiques. This year highlights the Lamborghini Aventador, new Maseratis, and Fiats, as well as a display of classic Ferraris. And if you love Ferraris, there are plenty more to see tomorrow at the Annual Ferrari Event at the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel.
Don’t forget our own Concours Auto Rally here in Pacific Grove this afternoon, a fun family celebration with a cavalcade of classics, some raffles, and a delicious barbecue dinner. This is a special year for the rally, honoring the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type. The concours benefits Pacific Grove Youth Action, Inc. and has raised over $134,000 for local non-profits.
And don’t miss The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering at the Quail Lodge Resort and Golf Club in Carmel. A unique, sophisticated gathering involving much more than just automobiles, guests here can even try out some of the modern luxury cars on display. With four spectacular events packed into one day, it may be hard to choose!
Auctions: To buy or not to buy. RM Auctions, Mecum Auctions, the Pebble Beach Auctions, Ruso and Steele Auctions at the Marriott…the choice is yours and the sky’s the limit.
Racing: After almost forty years, the thrill still hasn’t left the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. With 17 racing groups and all kinds of collectibles from every drive of life, this event is a must for racing fans of any age. And after a hard day’s work racing around the famous track, these autos clean up nice too—you may see some of them at the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday.
Dining: A whole new take on drive-through dining. Dine in DiVine at the Chateau Julien Wine Estate is a chance to take in an elegant display of classic cars as well as dine the way nature intended—in the vineyard, by starlight.
But what about the auto un-enthusiast? Not to worry. Monterey offers something for everyone, every day of the week. Annie the Musical is playing now through September at the Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel, part of the Pacific Repertory Theatre, which is the only professional theater on the Peninsula. Or shop to the rhythm at the Del Monte Shopping center. Spend the day finding great buys at their Sidewalk Sale, then catch some dinner at any of the mall’s great restaurants, from California Pizza Kitchen, Islands burgers, to LALLA Grill, and enjoy the Music on the Mall series every Saturday this month. For a great family day trip, head to Salinas for Summer Harvest at The Farm, tomorrow starting at 10:30am, with hay rides, a watermelon eating contest, and much more summer fun.
No matter who you are or what you love, the Monterey Peninsula has it covered. Do you have a favorite MP summer event? We’d love to hear about it!
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Check out a couple of our favorite websites for more fun things to do in Monterey!
Down in Monterey 