Classic California Cruisin’
The Central Coast is an auto enthusiast’s dream
California is all about car culture, and that culture reaches fever pitch during the annual Concours D’Elegance at Pebble Beach, a famed motoring tradition since 1950. As the name implies, the world’s premier collector car competition is all about class. Entrants are judged on style and technical merit, as well as history, originality and the accuracy of their preservation or restoration. In addition to showcasing historic vehicles, the Concours (August 26) features motoring collectables and memorabilia, automobile art, touring events and panel discussions with legendary car collectors like Jay Leno. Now in its 68th year, the lavish affair benefits 60 charitable organizations in Monterey County.
For us mere mortals, the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance on the Thursday before the Concours is more attainable, as viewing is free for anyone who wants to line up along the route. Featuring many of the vehicles that will be on display at the Concours, the “rolling museum” kicks off at Portola Road in Pebble Beach at 7 a.m., arriving in Carmel Village around noon, where the vehicles will be displayed along Ocean Avenue. The classic cars cruise back to Pebble Beach around 2 p.m. and finish the day with a champagne toast.
But you don’t have to wait until August to get in touch with your inner gearhead. Many spring and summer events along the Central Coast feature mean machines of all kinds, worth a weekend cruise up fabled Highway 1 to see.
The Cruisin’ Morro Bay Car Show (May 3 through 6) features classic cars from the 1950s and 60s. The weekend starts with a Friday night cruise down Main Street, while Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to a “Show & Shine” — a chance to eyeball the cars up close and chat with their owners. That same weekend, the Ferrari Challenge North
America roars around the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca near Monterey. For the first time this year, Intel is partnering with Ferrari to use artificial intelligence tracking and drone video to give racing fans an up-close look at the Italian thoroughbreds tearing around the legendary 2.238mile road course.
Don’t let the name fool you: Estrella Warbirds Museum is Paso Robles is into anything that flies, whether in the sky or on the highway. Warbirds Wings & Wheels on May 12th is a combination vintage and classic car show, automotive swap meet and beer garden.
The main attraction this year is a “Cacklefest” featuring throaty vintage rail dragsters (from the likes of Jack Gillett and the Schrank Brothers) hosted by “My Classic Car” host Dennis Gage. Admission includes entry to a museum housing an enviable collection of military aviation artifacts, aircraft and memorabilia, as well as the Woodland Auto Display of classic and historic vehicles.
From gleaming silver Airstreams and Crown “canned ham” trailers to cute little Teardrops, the Pismo
Beach Vintage Trailer Rally revolves around things that bring up the rear. Starting May 19th at the Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, the annual event attracts hundreds of beautifully restored recreational vehicles and campers opened up for tours of the handcrafted interiors. Pismo Beach is also hosting the 32nd edition of The
Classic on June 1-3. Every summer, classic car owners from around the nation congregate in the little beach town to show off their vintage wheels and raise money for charity via an auction that includes cars, engines, auto accessories, art and more.
It’s not all about motors on California roads. Pedal transport glides into the spotlight during the annual Amgen
Tour of California. The only men’s cycling event in the U.S. on the UCI World Tour calendar, the tour attracts some of the most renowned cyclists from around the globe. “California King” Peter Stetina is participating for the fourth time, while British cycling star Mark Cavendish and German time-trial specialist Marcel Kittel are also scheduled to compete this year.
The 645-mile race begins in Long Beach on May 13 and ends in Sacramento on May 19. Stage 3 (May 15) takes place entirely in Monterey County, a grueling circuit from King City to Laguna Seca that includes steep climbs in the Coast Range. Spectators can line up on many of the gorgeous public roads to see the pack whoosh by.