The Pebble Beach Concours starts officially on Thursday, the 15th of August. But there are events all week long at this premier gathering of the best in the automobile world. On the grounds of the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance (The Lodge at Pebble Beach), the world’s great automobile manufacturers gather for an informal industry meeting, displaying new models and prototypes in one of the most picturesque settings on the planet. If this is your year to go to Pebble Beach, here’s a quick overview of the concours and car shows to see, ending with the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday. If this isn’t your year, the listing below may be enough to get you moving for next year.It is highly advised that you click on all the links below for details (and inspiration). We’ll cover the best of the auctions in another column.
Calendar of Events
Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the Avenue
August 13, 10AM to 5PM
www.motorclubevents.com
Truly democratic event that closes down Ocean Avenue to traffic for a one day
car show. Expect over a hundred cars and a display that stretches for 18 blocks.
Great kickoff event off for the week, with plenty of shopping, food,and drink handy if you get tired of looking at cars—which is much of a possibility but it’s there if you need or want it.
Carmel Mission Concours
San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission
3080 Rio Road, Carmel
August 14th, Noon to 5PM
www.carmelmission.org
First of a series of Concours that will fill out the week. Check the website for full details. How can you not like a car show held in the Courtyard of a mission wi a ceremony that involves the “blessing of the automobiles”—just the thing to keep you safe from speeding ticket gremlins.
Motorworks Revival 2013 at Monterey Jet Center
Monterey Jet Center, 300 Skypark Drive, Carmel
August 14th, 5PM to 10PM
www.mccallevents.com
Another special event, this one at the Monterey Jet Center, which provides a nice duality of desirables: jets and classic cars. Nice crowd, terrific ambiance, and plenty of visible reasons for why you should work harder (and play harder).
The Little Car Show
Downtown Pacific Grove, on Lighthouse Avenue
August 15th, noon to 5PM
www.marinamotorsports.org
Another on- the- street car show. Don’t you wish you lived in a town where the classics just took over the avenues? Well, you probably don’t, but once a year you can make it to the Monterey Peninsula and have a blast.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering
Quail Lodge & Golf Club
8205 Valley Greens Drive
Carmel
August 16th, 10AM to 4PM
www.quaillodgeevents.com
One of the toughest tickets in town with limited attendance and a showcase of the finest sports/racing cars. If you didn’t plan ahead for a ticket it’s too late (sold out) but check out Craig’s list or other ticket sources, just in case and put your name in for the online lottery that is used to allocate tickets.
Legends of the Autobahn
Rancho Canada Golf Club
4960 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel,
www.legendsoftheautobahn.org
BMW, Porsche, Audi Mercedes Benz
Also on the 16th, a display hosted by the BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Audi enthusiast/collectors club. Started most likely in response the justifiably famous Concourso Italiano (below)
Concorso Italiano
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch
August 16th, 9AM to 5PM
www.concorso.com
A classic gather of Italian cars, with everything from Ferraris to Fiat Abarths, Alfas, and Lamborghinis. Go early.
The Barnyard Shopping Village Ferrari Event
Saturday, August 17th, 4PM to 7PM
www.thebarnyard.com
Food, wine, Ferraris, in a relaxed courtyard setting. A little breather before the great show of them all on Sunday.
Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance
18th Fairway, Pebble Beach Golf Course
August 18th, 10:30AM to 5:30PM
www.pebblebeachconcours.net
Tickets: $225 advance, $275 at the gate
This is the main event, the signature Concours in America (and the world) that sets the tone, draws the crowd, creates the spark and synergy to turn the entire week into something special. Go early, for Dawn Patrol, when they place the cars on the fairway, then duck inside to check your digital photos and get some coffee and breakfast, then pick up a picnic lunch (be sure you bring a blanket for the ground), out to take another look at everything (it’s almost impossible) and see the winners as they drive by. Heaven.