Many who love to celebrate the automobile equally love to attend the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach every year in August.
This year’s event will be held on August 15, 2010. “First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is often said to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and rare automobiles are invited to appear on the famed eighteenth fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links each year, and connoisseurs of art and technology congregate to see them.’
‘The annual affair, which has raised over $12 million for charity, includes a series of related events, such as the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, Pebble Beach Motoring Classic and the Pebble Beach Auction presented by Gooding & Company.” What makes a Concours car? “A concours d’elegance is, quite literally, an automotive contest of elegance.’
‘To contend in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, an automobile must be a well preserved or accurately restored vehicle still quite capable of doing what it was meant to do—be driven. It will almost certainly have some historic value—perhaps in its day it served to debut new technology or new styling trends or it has an amazing racing record. And it will be rare—possibly a singular example of a special chassis bearing a respected coachbuilder’s art.’
‘After these criteria have been met, a concours car must be one thing more. Above all, it must be elegant. And elegance is a matter of the eye and the heart.”
Here are some famous quotes regarding the Concours d’Elegance:
“There is no such thing as a score sheet for elegance. It’s largely a matter of taste, recognition of design advantages, and knowledge of the performance and quality of the total architectural concept.”– Strother MacMinn, Renowned Automotive Designer and Former Chief Honorary Judge at Pebble Beach
“From a strictly personal point of view, my definition of an elegant car would be ‘the kind of car I would like to be buried in.’” – Ansel Adams, Photographer and former Honorary Judge at Pebble Beach
We locals love hosting the Concours d’Elegance, and we are delighted to share this event with our visitors. Welcome!
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Many tourists are in a rush and don’t get a chance to enjoy the full extent of the recreation trail that extends from Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove to Marina. Due to most foot traffic staying between the American Tin Cannery and Fisherman’s Wharf, a lot of beautiful views are overlooked.
I live in New Monterey, the neighborhood just up the hill from Cannery Row. I often walk down the hill and turn right toward Fisherman’s Wharf so I can have a nice, long walk to Del Monte Beach, which is north of the Commercial Wharf.
My favorite time of year is between April through June when the sea lion pups are newly born and they hang out by the docks and shore-lining rocks. They can be a little stinky (and what baby isn’t stinky at times?) but they’re so darned cute! Hearing them vocalize and bark is so much fun.
I love the change of scenery along the rec trail. I start my walk from the hill, where the view can extend out over the blue water all they way to Moss Landing…or on a really clear day…Santa Cruz. On cloudier days, I’m satisfied looking out over the old buildings of Cannery Row.
As I head north on the rec trail from Cannery Row, I see the grassy park and Coast Guard pier of San Carlos Beach. Sometimes I’ll walk out to the end of the pier to see the snoozing and/or barking sea lions.
I then proceed north toward Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy the view of the fun houseboats moored out in the water, right next to the colorful buildings along Fisherman’s Wharf.
Once I hit the foot of Fisherman’s Wharf, I look over at the Custom House and think about all the history that building has seen over the centuries.
I continue north down the rec trail and hear the tourists beeping their horns as they go through the tunnel. Yes, we know you’re a tourist when you honk your horn. Only tourists do that…all summer long…and it drives some of us locals a little crazy.
After the rec trail delivers me safely around the Fisherman’s Wharf parking lot, I can then visit the Commercial Wharf. If I want to check in with the commercial fisherman, I’ll walk down the wharf and see their haul. Squid season tends to be the most spectacular time of year because the boats are out on the water all night long with their lights on to attract the squid. This gives those of us up on the hill a wonderful boat light show.
Having my fill of the Commercial Wharf, I then step onto the sand of Del Monte Beach, right by the aqua-colored Adventures By The Sea building. Once my toes hit the sand, my senses are more keen to hear the sounds of the waves and smell the sea mist. I have walked as far as the Monterey Dunes Beach Resort on days where I want to walk about 4 – 5 miles.
For those with bicycles, or longer legs, you can continue all the way down the rec trail to Marina. You can see the rec trail as you drive down Highway 1, and I love seeing folks ride their bikes or walk their dogs.
The rec trail is a Monterey Peninsula treasure, and it has made our area rank high on the “city walkability” scale. Our rec trail has consistently been a site for many marriage proposals. I, for one, was just recently proposed to by my honey after a nice walk down the rec trail where he got down on bended knee on the beach at Lover’s Point.
Imagine that…the rec trail is just as romantic as it is healthy, beautiful, dog- and family-friendly…and that’s pretty special.
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Due to budget cuts and fire safety, the City of Monterey will not be hosting its annual Independence Day Fireworks show. However, there will still be some 4th of July events being hosted on the Monterey Peninsula — by the cities of Monterey and Marina.
Live music will be seen and heard at the City of Marina’s July 4th Street Party at the Seacrest Shopping Center (This is where the Savemart grocery store is at 270 Reservation Road at Seacreast Avenue in Marina, CA.) from 4:00 – 9:00 PM, and then they’ll have “safe and sane” fireworks from 9:00 – 10:00 PM.
See you there!
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If you’re visiting the Monterey Peninsula and are looking to go out dancing, join the locals at the following dance hot spots. See you out on the dance floor!
Ballroom:
Classes:
Saturday night dance parties:
Salsa:
Classes:
Thursday night dancing:
Blue Fin Billiards — Monterey
Friday night dancing:
Swing:
Classes:
Tuesday Night West Coast Swing Classes at the Carmel Woman’s Club –Carmel
Wednesday night dancing:
Thursday night dancing:
Friday night dancing:
Saturday night dancing:
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Where to eat on Friday night after a long workweek? Yeah, even working in the Monterey Bay seems long sometimes! But we are not without dining choices, certainly. We decided on an unlikely spot – the Best Western Beach Resort Monterey hotel on Del Monte Beach. One would not suspect that this would be a place for anything but a tourist-trap type restaurant – not so! The menu is varied, including a couple of vegetarian choices, and the food was fresh and well-prepared.
Because of the large number of people on the Monterey Peninsula for the weekend, we elected to eat early to avoid the crowds. That also turned out to be a good move in that we were seated at a window table, where we enjoyed the spectacular view of the beach and the waves crashing to the shore of the Monterey Bay. While we waited for our entree to arrive, we watched an otter frolicking in the surf, also having his dinner.
The service was good, the food was good and affordable, and the view was wonderful. By the way, don’t be deterred by the gated parking area. Take a ticket and ask the waiter to validate it for you!
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Monterey Bay Property Management is located in the heart of Cannery Row, made famous by John Steinbeck, one of America’s most revered literary figures. Seventeen of his works, including Cannery Row (1945), were made into Hollywood movies. You might want to rent the 1982 movie, “Cannery Row,” starring Nick Nolte and Debra Winger, to watch either before or after your visit to Monterey. Even if you have seen it before, it will be more meaningful to you after having visited our area.
The crew at Monterey Bay Property Management enjoys operating in the midst of this historical location. We also enjoy the atmosphere that is constantly electric, as visitors from all over the world trip by our office on their way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, just around the corner at the north end of Cannery Row, and at the former site of the major Del Mar Cannery.
Our personal attachment to the area stems from our appreciation that we live and work here, and John Steinbeck’s personal attachment to the Monterey area and Cannery Row was likely no different, as he lived in adjacent Pacific Grove. Steinbeck wrote stories spiced with the vibrant tales of cannery workers and roughnecks he knew, and their rogue spirit and energy is still alive here. Cannery Row ignited Steinbeck’s imagination, and his affection for the colorful mix of people there influenced a number of stories and characters. “Cannery Row”, one of Steinbeck’s best and most widely read fictional works, immortalized Cannery Row as a one-of-a-kind neighborhood of fish packing plants, bordellos, and flophouses, and made it the most famous street in America. Cannery Row itself is now a tourist attraction with many restaurants and hotels, many of which are located in former cannery buildings, and a few historical attractions. A few privately owned and operated fishing companies still exist on Cannery Row, housed on piers located a short distance from the historic district frequented by tourists.
If you would like to spend some time in the Cannery Row area, ask an agent about availability at property 816A, a chic pied-a-terre for two in historic Cannery Row! It is the vacation rental of choice for many visitors who want to experience Cannery Row first-hand!
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If you’re looking to satisfy that real good burger craving then look no further then R.G. Burgers in Monterey and Carmel. Famous for their gourmet burgers, sandwiches and salads, they also whip up great shakes and malts.
www.realgoodburgers.com
R.G. Burgers: 207 The Crossroads, Carmel, CA 93923 – 831-626-8054 / 570 Munras Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940 – 831-372-4930
If turf isn’t your style you can surf a few feet next door to Island Taco which is best known for it’s fish tacos & rice bowls. Or call in your order and hit the beach. “Cow”abunga Dude!
Island Taco at 173 The Crossroads, Carmel, CA 93923 – 831-624-8454
Your stomach will feel like it’s on vacation too!
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Pebble Beach will play host to the 2010 U.S. Open Championship. The World Famous golf course will host this prestigious event for the 5th time. Mark the occasion and be a part of this wonderful experience! For all of your housing needs, please contact Monterey Bay Property Management
(831)655-7840
www.montereyrentals.com and look for What’s Hot!
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Traveling doesn’t have to mean ruining dedicated diets or budgets.
Budgeting for food expenditures during travel to any destination can be almost as difficult as forecasting the week’s weather. When staying at a traditional hotel, the challenge is multiplied as travelers face the added expense of dining out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. While the majority of quality hotels do not offer full kitchens, professionally managed vacation rentals allow guests to enjoy their favorite (and often healthier) meals and snacks, as each property provides a full kitchen stocked with clean utensils, pots, pans, plates and ample cabinet/refrigerator space for food storage.
“For my family, including grandkids, the best part of staying in a vacation rental was having breakfast in our jammies,” explains Kathy Ogden, a traveler from Clovis, Calif., who stayed with Monterey Bay Property Management. “We loved the freedom to have meals at our leisure and have home-cooked meals instead of dining out.”
Often costing less than a single hotel room, vacation rentals afford travelers an accommodations lifestyle unlike any other, providing considerably more space (both for living and dining), amenities, guest services and privacy than other, more traditional lodging options.
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