T
The Bed and Breakfast experience
in Carmel is a must. Enjoying a cup
of ‘Carmel Defogger’ coffee with
Danish pastries by a crackling fire in
the grey mist, reading the morning’s
news of auctions gone wild, is the
perfect start to the day.
A wonderful way to work off
breakfast is strolling along the
tree-lined ocean walk to the beach.
It’s a nature lover’s treat, watching
dolphins and sea otters play,
whether you prefer a fast paced jog
on hard packed sand or meditating
on sand dunes. The sun comes out
late and reveals a bright blue sky
shaking off the misty morning.
Walking up the street into town
can leave one breathless, especially
seeing 3 Hennessey Venom GTs in
black, grey and white casually
parked--the fastest cars in the
world catching their breath. After
stepping into the Thomas Kinkade
garden and gallery, the revelation
emerges that Carmel, is in fact,
a Thomas Kinkade kind of world.
Fashion paired well with fashionable
cars this weekend. Red pants were
popular at the Concourso Italiano
this year, while green pants were
trending at the Concours d’Elegance.
Baseball caps and straw hats were
smart accessories on the men, as
the sun is very strong when it finally
comes out. Dresses were popular on
the ladies. When the fog rolls in with
the crisp breeze, it’s best to be
prepared with a warm sweater or
wrap. And there is plenty of shopping
in Carmel, in case you need an excuse
to find something new. A special
treat for the men is stumbling into
the Club Shop and having famous
designer Robert Graham himself
personally select and button up
a shirt for you and sign it.
Food at the events, like the Quail,
is wonderful if you are lucky enough
to get tickets. The perfect location
for twilight cocktails is the lounge
at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Set
in a misty forest, the expansive
windows overlook the bay. In Carmel,
an outdoor table in the garden
setting at the PortaBella is a
delightful front row seat for
exotic cars passing by. Warming
up with delicious crab bisque pairs
well with the intoxicating rumble.
The Concourso Italiano is held in
a luxurious setting of rolling greens
overlooking Monterey Bay. Held on
Saturday for the first time, the 2014
attendance was at its peak. Viewing
stands are a welcome seating area for
the fashion show and car competitions.
There are so many beautiful cars
here it is hard to pick a favorite;
it must be difficult on the judges.
I favored the black 1961 Ghia
L6.4 with white and black trimmed
interior evoking the Rat Pack.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is
an amazing experience. Watching
prewar cars racing gives you a
greater appreciation for these cars.
It is amazing to see what they can
still do on the say.
There is an incredible display of
racecars there too; the 1969
Porsche 917K was iconic. Next stop,
the Serata Italiana, is the biggest
ABOVE
Thomas Kinkade
Garden & Gallery
SECOND DOWN
Most Elegant
Open Car-1933
Auburn12-165S
Salon Speedster
FOURTH DOWN
Concorso Italiano
2014 Lambos
ALL PHOTOS BY LEAH WALKER.
he 64th annual Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance was held
the third weekend in August.
This is no ordinary weekend.
From the time you hop on
California’s Highway 101 headed
towards Monterey, the excitement
is tangible. There is something
different in the air. An Aston Martin
careens by, then another and
another, followed by a McLaren!
Chasing each other with fluid grace,
taking corners with the smoothest
of ease, these vehicles in their
wakes generate great fun for
followers. Taking Route 68 into town
can take the momentum away, as one
comes to a screeching halt with all
the traffic coming from the races
at Laguna Seca, so better to opt
for Route 218. The experience of
entering Carmel-by-the-Sea is
surreal. The main street with its
majestic trees and quaint shops is
flanked on either side by colorful
Ferraris and Lamborghinis all the
way down the hill to the water’s
edge. Thunderous engines
announcing themselves become the
sweet soundtrack for the weekend.