Expert Tips To Make Monterey Car Week Unforgettable

With no region in the world host to so many classic car events at the same time, a pilgrimage to Monterey has become a required activity for enthusiasts.

But with so many events on offer, it’s often difficult to plan your schedule—so we asked four experts what they felt were tips every Monterey attendee should know.

We asked Motor Trend’s Jason Cammisa, RM Sotheby’s auctioneer Max Girardo, Porsche factory racing driver Patrick Long, and legendary designer/engineer Peter Brock for their tips on what to do during the Monterey week.

Experiencing a Concours

When he’s not starring in Petrolicious videos, Jason Cammisa is the Senior Features Editor at the world-renowned Motor Trend magazine. With a number of Monterey trips under his belt, his first suggestion happens early in the week, at the Carmel Concours on August 11.

“Lots of cool cars that you don’t often get to see up close. But they’re typically not out of this world expensive, which is a nice change,” Cammisa says. “It’s easy to walk around, look, eat, and talk to the owners.”

Peter Brock, who first attended the Pebble Beach festivities in 1950, also suggested the event was worth a visit: “Great cars and it’s free,” he says.

Cammisa also suggests an interesting alternative concours: the Concours d’Le Mons. Focusing on oddball and unloved machines, it’s often where you’ll see collectors and enthusiasts mingling with a smile on their faces—after all, bribing the judges is encouraged.

“Silly, wacky, and just plain rare cars show up, and it’s a welcome break from the serious, snooty concours events,” he says. “If, that is, you have a sense of humor.”

If you want to see the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance cars moving, however, Brock says your best bet is to ensure you’re able to watch the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance to pass by.

“The Pebble Beach Concours does a “tour” for those who participate that runs way down the coast and around the Carmel area,” he says. “A great way—and also free—to see some real classics on the road.”

Continue through to the Petrolicious Guide To Monterey Car Week Presented by Michelin for the full story.

Photography by: Darin Schnabel © 2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s, Andrew Schneider, & Otis Blank