Where Commerce and Culture Collide (in a Good Way!)

Cutting edge art, great music, gourmet food, fine wine and ales: you’ll find it all August 26-28 at Sand City’s Tenth Annual West End Celebration. Over one hundred resident and visiting artists will open their studio doors, showcase their wares – and wow you with their talent.

The event kicks off Friday night, Aug. 26, with “Raising Cain in Sand City” – a benefit concert starring legendary bluesman Chris Cain, John “Broadway” Tucker, Red Beans & Rice, and the Monterey Bay Blues Festival’s “Blues in the Schools” Honor Band. The concert takes place in the Carmel Stone Imports Building, along with an exhibit by young local artists ages 12 to 22. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Saturday and Sunday there will be live music on two different stages, and Saturday afternoon the Boomtown Saints will rock Sweet Elena’s Bakery. The MST Trolley will provide free transportation to and from the event sites.

This year’s celebration has a “green” theme, with lectures on topics from “building green” to “living green” both days. Several presentations will showcase the new, green concepts being formulated and implemented in the redevelopment of Sand City.

Vroom, Vroom… Monterey Car Week Aug. 15-21

Vintage races, auto shows, auctions, rallies and parties: it’s all about cars during Monterey Car Week when auto enthusiasts from all over the world gather in Pebble Beach and environs.

Here are some of the highlights:

Aug. 16 – Concours on the Avenue: Carmel-by-the-Sea’s world famous Ocean Avenue will be closed to traffic – 16 blocks will be filled with over 175 luxury cars, muscle cars, hot rods and sporting cars.

Aug. 16-17 – “Automobilia:” Road & Track calls this a must attend event: over 45 international dealers displaying vintage posters, photos, hood ornaments, models… if it’s related to cars you’ll find it here.

Aug. 17 – Pebble Beach Motoring Classic: “The ultimate road trip.” Up to 30 quality and thoroughbred automobiles manufactured prior to 1968 are invited to participate. The 1,500 mile adventure begins near Seattle and winds south, arriving in time for the exhibition on August 17.

Aug. 17 – The Little Car Show: Display of electric, gas powered micro and mini vehicles from noon to 5 pm on Lighthouse Ave. in Pacific Grove, followed by a tour parade along the waterfront.

Aug. 18-20 – Monterey Sports and Muscle at the Marriott: Russo and Steele’s 11th annual auto auction event. Previews begin at 10am and auctions are at 5pm each day.

Aug. 18 – Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance: Classic cars tour scenic 17-Mile Drive with a break from noon to 2 pm in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where cars will be on display on Ocean Avenue.

Aug. 19-20 – RM Auctions at the Portola Hotel: A two day sale of the world’s finest automobiles, from sports and racing cars to unique and coach built classics.

Aug. 18-20 – Mecum Auction: Muscle cars and more at the Hyatt in Monterey. From vintage Beetle convertibles to Mustang GTs and Porsche tractors, this is one of the most popular Concours events.

Aug. 20 – Concours d’LeMons: a celebration of the “oddball, mundane, and truly awful of the automotive world” at the Seaside City Hall.

Aug. 21 – Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance: Some 200 of the most prized collector cars and motorcycles in the world converge at Pebble Beach for this “Super Bowl of the automotive universe.”

 

Pebble Beach Vacation Rental

 

Accommodations are extremely scarce during the Concours events.

We currently have a 3 bedroom/3 bath family (and dog) friendly home in the Pebble Beach forest with a sunroom and a lovely garden.

Contact: Reservations@MontereyRentals.com 

 

Men in Kilts… Need We Say More?

Monterey Scottish GamesThe exchange rate is horrible, but you can visit Ireland and Scotland without ever leaving town August 6-7 at the 44th Annual Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival at Toro Park between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68.

Watch kilt-clad hunks throw trees (the “Caber Toss”) and heave 20 lb. boulders (the “Stone Put”). Then stroll through the “Avenue of Clans” to trace your ancestry – and invite your new found relatives to join you for food and drink from over 50 vendors.

The festival will feature live entertainment by Irish singer Seamus Kennedy, Celtic rock band “Brother,” Sligo Rags, and harpist Amy Krupski. 

From 9am to 5pm both days there will be activities for everyone:

  • Massed Pipe bands
  • Drum Major and Pipe band competitions
  • Highland and Irish step dancing
  • Sheepdog Herding demonstrations
  • Athletic Events & Scottish games for the kids
  • Historical Re-enactments

Then Have Yourself a Highland Fling:

Monterey Rentals Lover's Point condoIn a newly remodeled two bedroom/1.5 bath ocean view condo at Lover’s Point.

Enjoy the many moods of Monterey Bay from the living room, patio or master bedroom, head out on the coastal trail, or explore charming Pacific Grove, just three blocks away.

Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com

A Romantic Bonfire on Carmel Beach (with S’mores!)

i-love-you-in-petalsPut some sparks in your relationship with a romantic bonfire on the beach!

Here’s how it works: you casually stroll down Carmel Beach at a pre-appointed time and voila!: surprise someone special with a pre-lit, blazing bonfire in the sand.

Romantic Room Designs also supplies the beach blanket, extra wood, roasting sticks, and all the fixin’s for s’mores: marshmallows, Hershey bars and graham crackers.

You can even have a message written in rose petals on the sand http://st..emale-cialis/. Prices start at $139 with various options and upgrades for different occasions. (They’ll do everything but propose for you.)

Relax in this Bubbling Beauty

2405snew3-1And what could be better than soaking in a bubbling hot tub after that bonfire? Listen to the sounds of the surf while relaxing in the tub in this secluded courtyard – or check out the stars from the huge roof top deck.

With breathtaking views of Carmel Bay and the Pebble Beach Golf Course, this four bedroom 2200 sq. ft. retreat is just a short walk from the beach and the heart of downtown Carmel.

Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com

THE BURGER BLOG

images2Wonder who makes the best burger on the Monterey Peninsula? I asked the staff at Monterey Rentals – and they must’ve been hungry – because I was inundated with responses.

A sampling:

Ashley: R.G. Burgers in Monterey and Carmel has the BEST burgers.

Frank: R.G. Burgers, Monterey and Carmel!

Jo:  R.G. Burgers. I like the way they taste.

Michelle: Sorry, I went to R.G.’s about a month ago and my burger was supposed to be turkey but they gave me beef that was red in the middle. I like the one in the mall way better… Islands Burger?

Frank: Sacrilegious!!! Scandalous!!! Do NOT listen to Michelle. She must have gotten Mad Cow disease at the “other” place.

Michelle: Ha, ha… probably!

Patricia: Edgar’s Restaurant at Quail Lodge: ½ pound char-grilled beef patty with hickory-smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, red onions, tomato, lettuce, and pickles on a brioche bun…. well, yum!

Rhiannon: Wow, 11 emails about burgers?

• Quail Lodge Golf Club: 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel
• Islands Restaurant: 300 Del Monte Center, Monterey
• R.G. Burgers: 570 Munras Ave. #30, Monterey, and 201 Carmel Crossroads Shopping Center

Get Your Motor Running!

motogp2010_11-1-2And head out on the highway – the Monterey/Salinas Highway, that is – for the 2011 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 22-24 at Laguna Seca.

The highlight: the MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycling championship – combining the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers – like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Kawasaki – with an elite list of riders from every corner of the globe.

And no other U.S. road course challenges these world champion riders with such a heart pounding combination: 11 turns, dramatic elevation changes of up to 300 feet, and the plunging blind Corkscrew turn that drops an equivalent of 5-1/2 stories.

There’s non-stop action all weekend for the whole family, both on and off the track: stunt riding exhibitions, rider talks, “learn to ride” programs, and a children’s play area.  Saturday night features a live performance by The Dirty Heads, named one of 2010’s Top Bands by Rolling Stone.

For more information or tickets, go to www.MazdaRaceway.com or call (800) 327-7322.

Beat the Heat with Our 10% off  MotoGP Vacation Specials:

Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com