ParadouTravel

Pebble Beach, Monterey, Laguna Seca with a bit of Napa thrown in

Muslims have Mecca, Jews have Jerusalem, Christians have the Vatican. All sites of great significance filled with fervor-filled pilgrims.

My pilgrimage, one I've been conducting religiously for the past 10 years takes me to to this beautiful stretch of Northern California, aprroximately 120 miles south of San Francisco.

Why do I come you ask? What is it that I seek? What secrets lie in the Redwoods lining the fog-shrouded,majestic shores of the Pacific? Makes it sound pretty dramatic, doesn't it. Well, for me, it is. In one word, what draws me here year after year, are cars. What you say incredulously, cars? Why the hell would anyone travel across the country to see a bunch of cars.

These are not just any cars, as the pictures below illustrate. This is the greatest collection of rolling sculptures gathered anywhere at any one time, to be admired, sold and raced by the few fortunate enought to have the resources to possess them and the equally fortunate who gather to admire, observe and mingle amongst thousands of people who appreciate the long-lost romance and beauty of the automobile.

In today's mass produced age, where utility and mass triumphs over all, to view these cars, appearing briefly from their locked, private stables is truly a wonderous experience. Many of these cars are seen here once and never seen again in public venues such as this. Passing from one collector, who may have owned it for decades into the hands of another.

There are three primary ways to enjoy these cars during this weekend. The myriad of auctions being held where thousands of cars are shown and sold; the private collection shows, by the Peterson Automobile Museum, The Danville Collection, the Ferrari Club of America, and the pinnacle of all events, the Pebble Beach Concourse; the third are the vintage car races held at Laguna Seca.

Laguna Seca is my favorite. This is where these legends are brought to stretch their legs. Where you can freely walk through the infield and get up close to these beasts. Where you can hear the symphonic roar of their engines.

In a nutshell, this weekend is Boys Playing with Their Toys. It transports everyone to their youth of pushing around the toy red fire truck. Except here, whats being pushed around is a $1,000,000+ 1961 Ferrari 250GT

But this outing isn't all about cars. That would be short sighted. This area is conveniently located between two of the greatest wine growing and culinary regions in America. Napa/Sonoma to the north, and the Central Coast Valley. I make it a point to get in a couple of days in, ideally both. If I can only do one, I gravitate to Napa/Sonoma. Personally, I can think of any single area that combines incredible natural beauty with kick ass wine drinking and world-class eating like Napa/Sonoma.

AN INVITATION: The events this year center around the weekend of August 17 - 19. I will be in Monterey (ground Zero) from August 16 - 20th, then heading up to Napa for some post R&R, R&R. If any of you are interested in either of these destinations, I would be very happy to show you around my favorite wineries, car events, restaurants, etc.

Hope to have some of you join me.