For motoring enthusiasts, the central coast of California has a lot going for it — magnificent winding roads, breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, and a generally sunny disposition. Perhaps it's no coincidence, then, that the most spectacular gathering of historic automobiles in the world happens at the very center of this region, on the Monterey Peninsula. The event - or rather the collection of events - that consumes the area every August is known simply as the Monterey Weekend. Comprised of the Monterey Historic Races, Concorso Italiano, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and numerous auctions and small private engagements, the three-day-plus weekend is a living history museum of automotive culture, design and speed, and it's an event every car enthusiast should experience at least once in his life.

There is no shortage of events to join or attend, but the weekend largely revolves around the big three - the Historics, Concorso, and Pebble, as they're casually known. And while it's not humanly possible to be at every last auction, tour drive or concours, it is possible to attend just these three events and still walk away completely satisfied with having been a part this legendary happening. Here is how to do it.

Monterey Historic Races
The idea of taking irreplaceable, museum-quality vintage racecars and putting them wheel-to-wheel on a racetrack may sound absurd to some, but there's really no other way to experience the sights, sounds and smells of old racing machines than to put them in their natural environment. For three straight days, you can witness everything from 1920s Bugattis to early -'80s Porsche 935 racers go at it with their contemporary rivals.

If you've never seen vintage racing, rest assured it's not a bunch of old-timers out for touring laps; these guys are serious about racing the cars, and it's not uncommon to see the machinery overworked and even sacrificed on occasion. At the 2009 event, for example, a priceless Ferrari 250 TR famously overshot the corkscrew and crunched very expensively into a tire wall. The venue, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, is no beginner's course. Anyone who's ever driven the track knows how mentally and physically demanding it can be, even without the challenge of cable-actuated drum brakes and unassisted steering.

One of the best things about the Monterey Historics is that your admission ticket also gets you into the paddock area, so you're not just limited to watching the action from a distance. You can stroll the paddock lanes, see the cars up close and often times talk with the owners and drivers of these rare cars. Where else can you experience the roar of a Lola Can-Am racer, the distinct aroma of 110-octane race gas being burned in a Porsche Speedster and the heat pouring onto your ankles from a genuine AC Cobra's side pipes all in one short walk?

If all of that becomes a little too overwhelming (or you fear going deaf in the process) you can always retreat to the vendor row, where merchants from all over the world are there to sell everything from automotive art and model cars to clothing and literature.

The Monterey Historic Races start on Friday and run through Sunday. Saturday may be the best day to attend, however, given all the other single-day events happening on Friday and Sunday (see below). Tickets are available on a daily basis, or you can buy access to all three days for a reduced rate. If you want to get really close to the racing, you can also camp at the track; chances are some of your campmates will be the very people running cars in the event.

More information: http://www.montereyhistoric.com

Concorso Italiano
When the subject of Italian cars comes up, the word "passion" will inevitably be invoked. One visit to Concorso Italiano will tell you why. Nowhere else will see such a breathtaking collection of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Fiats, Lancias, Alfa Romeos and DeTomasos in one location.

Concorso Italiano is a one-day event, taking place on the Friday of the Monterey Weekend. In the past few years, the location of the Concorso has changed a couple times, but it looks as though it may stay at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, just a couple miles down the road from the racetrack where the Historic Races take place.

Nearly one thousand cars are arranged on the 1st, 9th, and 18th fairways of the golf course, grouped by marque. Throughout the show field are special displays - the 2009 Concorso featured all four of the Alfa Romeo BAT cars, as well as a gathering of 15 1988 Ferrari 288 GTOs, the largest private assemblage of those cars.

Participants in the concours event stand to gain prestigious recognition for class wins, and there is an overall Best of Show award (the 2009 winner was a 1969 Maserati Mexico coupe). But while the competition is certainly serious, the overall spirit of the event focuses on the sharing of this passion, with other owners and with those who are simply admirers.

Concorso Italiano bills itself as "a celebration of Italian style," and there are always additional attractions beyond the amazing collection of cars. Italian motorcycles and scooters are officially recognized as well, and in the past there have been special gatherings for things like Riva boats. A mid-day highlight is the Italian fashion show, complete with runway models showing off the latest in wearable Italian style. Naturally, Italian food and wine are the preferred fare, and there is always some live Italian folk music to put you in the mood for a little vino.

Although the main event is all about Italian motoring, organizers have seen fit to set up owners' corrals for attendees with German and English cars. Silver and green paint prove a nice diversion to save your retinas from being permanently damaged by the reflection of all that perfect red paintwork up the hill.

Concorso Itlaiano runs from 9:30 in the morning to 5:00 PM, but you'll want to get there early to get a good parking space (parking is included in the ticket price) and to make sure you see it all. The grassy setting is easy on the feet, but the fairways on which it's held are far from flat. You will leave the event tired if you walk every row, but it will be worth it.

More information: http://www.concorso.com

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
The Concours d'Elegance held on the fairway of the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Club is perhaps the world's most exclusive car show. Participation in the event, which has been held since 1950, is by invitation only. The vehicles that are invited to participate are typically exquisite. Many have spent untold years and countless thousands of dollars being meticulously restored to like-new condition. Other still are perfectly maintained original vehicles respected for their patinas.

As the Pebble Beach Concours is technically a gathering of "elegance," the cars on display tend to be those that exude this quality. Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and Bugattis are always on hand, and few other events in America bring out such marques as Hispano-Suiza, Delage and Delahaye. This year's winner was an immaculate 1937 Horch Cabriolet, a rare and exceptionally gracious piece of automotive art.

The world's most fortunate - and often most famous - car collectors are drawn to the Pebble Beach Concours, which is always held on the Sunday of the grand weekend. Jay Leno is a perennial favorite; Ralph Lauren often participates or attends. Jerry Seinfeld showed a Porsche 935 at this year's event.

Scoring the show field is very serious business, as the judges ask owners to start the vehicles and operate all the critical functions like lighting and horns; interviews are conducted on the spot to establish the vehicles history and authenticity. The judges themselves are comprised of a mix of experts on particular vehicles, automotive designers and even other prominent figures in the world of art and design. It's not uncommon to see the likes of Sir Ian Callum or Freeman Thomas with a clipboard in hand making the rounds. This year Leslie Keogh, one of the regular appraisers on Antiques Roadshow, was an honorary judge, and others have included such legendary figures as Ansel Adams.

Half of the spectacle of Pebble Beach is the people watching, and not just the celebrity owners and judges. The very nature of the event has lead to a tradition of dressing up for the concours. Indeed, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is that rare automotive event where you will see people dressed as if life were a fashion show. The number of well-dressed foreign visitors only adds to the pageant-like atmosphere.

Fine food and drink are abundant on the show field. Vendors offer gourmet sandwiches, strawberries and fresh cream, and champagne. The restaurants at the lodge also offer fine dining, with balcony seating overlooking the event. If you are lucky enough to know the right people (perhaps you own a Bentley, for instance) you might be able to arrange a visit to one of the many corporate hospitality areas for a nibble or two.

Like all the other events on the big weekend, there are side attractions at Pebble Beach. An exhibit of concept cars at the entry of the show gives spectators an up-close look at some of the latest concept and show cars unveiled by the world's carmakers, while the grounds outside of the golf course are filled with tents and exhibits from companies offering everything from hand-built exotic cars to fractional jet ownership.

The show opens to spectators at 9:00 AM, and you will want to plan on an early arrival. General parking is free, but only in designated areas, as the Pebble Beach Golf Club is located in a private, gated residential community. Shuttle buses pick up visitors along the parking zone on 17-Mile Drive and bring them near the entrance of the event. There will still be plenty of walking, even if you purchase one of the pricey (and very limited) priority parking passes. Expect to sit in traffic both arriving and leaving; it will, however, be some of the most amazing traffic you'll ever sit through, as many visitors bring out their own special, classic "event" cars.

More information: http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net/

Other Helpful Information
Attending the Monterey weekend requires a bit of forethought and planning. For one thing, hotels tend to fill up. A last-minute decision to attend might mean staying an hour or so away. Some of the best hotels on the peninsula start taking their August reservations in January, and some fill up almost instantly. Dining, likewise, will require reservations made in advance lest you run the risk of waiting two hours for walk-in seating. The area is filled with amazing restaurants, so even if it's your first time attending, you'll hardly be disappointed with what you book.

There are a couple ways to get to the Monterey Peninsula if you are coming from out of the area. There are direct flights via commuter plane into Monterey County Airport, halfway between Pebble Beach and Laguna Seca. Otherwise you can fly into either San Francisco or San Jose Airport and drive down to Monterey in less than two hours. Regardless, you will also absolutely need a car to get around to all the activities; there's simply too much space between events to get around any other way. Besides, there are so many other gatherings you may want to attend, not to mention all the great driving roads in the area.

The 2010 Monterey Weekend runs from August 13-15.

see what others are saying about this story...