OT - Where to go in Big Sur/Monterey

[woodie49]

I am taking my wife to Big Sur next week (mid-week) for a few days of R&R. I am good for about one nature hike, I don't golf and I don't want to learn. I am looking for a car museum or some other classic car related activity that I can drive to and keep myself entertained.

Is there a Classic Car Museum on Monterey? I see nothing on Google, but with Pebble Beach, etc. centered there, you would think (at least I would) there would be some permanent auto museum or something there. I am not going to drive all the way to Black Hawk.

Local car shows, a small collection I can get into, a little old lady with a 63 VW stuck in her garage, anything?

Thanks

[Don Coatney]

There is some pretty nature scenery (not all is natural as some hase been modified) if you take a hike down Cannery Row or down the Pier in Monterey.

[Reg Evans]

And you could go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Might be able to see some old Stingrays or old gar fish.

[TodFitch]

There is a B&B in Pacific Grove that my wife and I like to take "mini-vacations" at. Not car related by you can rent kayaks at a few different places around Monterey and Elkhorn slough is a good place to kayak and view wild life. But that is not what you were asking about.

Seems like every time I've driven California 1 between Carmel and Cambria I've seen at least a few vintage cars and/or rods on the road. That is a nice touring road to drive an old car on. And once while we were camping in Big Sur there was, in the adjoining picnic area, a group of Model A Fords on a day outing from someplace further north. However, off the top of my head, I can't think of a car museum in that area.

What time were you planning on coming up? There might be a club outing from one of the numerous clubs in the Bay Area that would be heading down that way. I don't have all the club schedules (not even sure I know about all the clubs here anyway) but many have web sites and post their schedules on them.

[Niel Hoback]

Go to the aquarium and see the Marlins, Stingrays, and Barracudas.

I know, back in the corner.

[woodie49]

Tod,

Coming up to Big Sur from Cambria next Tuesday, returning to Cambria next Friday, then home (Irvine) Sunday. This will be a nice vacation because my sister's kid is staying at our house and I am tired of him (he's not bad, but we have no kids and they are a lot more trouble that I would have thought). I think we get rid of him in a couple more weeks. I'll lock up the keys to my classics while I'm gone.

Morro Bay has a huge car show (over 500 cars this year) the first weekend of May that we go to every year. And, you are right, there is usually something going on in the area having to do with cars on many of the summer weekends.

Usually nothing during the week though. But, as others have pointed out here, there is a lot to do in the area. I am sure I won't be bored, I just would rather be home working on my car. But you can't always get what you want...

[Frank Elder]

Go to the aquarium and see the Marlins, Stingrays, and Barracudas.

I know, back in the corner.

Don't feel alone Niel, I was going to suggest the waterbed museum.... I've never stopped in Monterey, but cannery row would be sweet.

[TodFitch]

Tod,

Coming up to Big Sur from Cambria next Tuesday, returning to Cambria next Friday, then home (Irvine) Sunday....snip...

Well, the Golden State Region of the Plymouth Owners Club will be having a get together on starting Friday evening the 18th. On Saturday morning there will be a tour ending up at a lunch meeting. And it will be based out of Pismo Beach which is not all that far from Cambria. For more information, contact Nick Desimone (909) 861-4950 or ndesimone at verizon dot net as he seems to be doing the coordination.

I'm told the lunch meeting will be 1PM at the Rock and Roll Diner, 1300 Railroad St, Oceano. So there ought to be some Plymouths there. I'll be driving on down on Saturday just for the meeting. If the weather forecast for the King City area is not too hot, I'll probably be driving my 1933 (approximately 420 miles round trip which is a bit longer than I'd like in one day in the old car but "do-able" if I don't have to withstand the heat too).

[John Mulders]

We missed Big Sur ....

Saw the signs and thought we would have a nice place with restaurants and sea view etc but realised we passed it.

Stopped in Carmel, nice place to walk around and had great lunch there.

Monterey is bigger and the cannery row is enjoyable.

Had a blast in California, great place !

John

[pflaming]

I've spent a lot of time there. My favorites: (1) 17 mile drive which includes the two famous golf courses, (2) the 100 mile (3 hr one way) drive from Carmel to Cambria which passes Herst Castle, a must see. This is considered one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world. (3) The Salinas Valley, 15 miles to the north is some of the most fertile vegetable farming in the world, (4) Big Sur community and all the other good advice given by others. It is a very interesting place.

[Frank Elder]

www.blogmonterey.com

Several car races listed.