I hereby submit an update to the ACOC international developments.
As the month of September came to a close, I have received 28 replies confirming interest!
Andy Shepherd
Rob Fisher
Rob Krantz
Jonathan Parker
Robin Grove
Keith Lessiter
Robin Stainer
Charles Bishop
John Thompson
Iona and Barry Dickens
Matthew and Laraine Feltham
David Coleman
Bryan Moseley
John Lucke
Anita Hermanns and Heinz Vogel
Paul Staiger
Brendan Finn
Nick Eden
Mark Vorenkamp
Drew Serb
Bill Patterson
Constant Wagner
Jeffrey Jones
Marc Dubost
Barrie Bird
Peter Come
Ronald Mack
And myself, of course.
Interestingly, it appears most seem to be European members. I would like to make sure that all members on the North American Continent also know they are welcome and included and to please email me notifying their intent to partake.
I've been talking to many shippers and have received as many different quotes. Most recently I was introduced to Robin Grove via Keith Lessiter. Robin happens to be restoring her AC Bristol and happens to be a very experienced shipper of high end collector cars! She suggested we ship to LA, where her office is based. Members can than fly in to LAX, get a good night's sleep and collect their cars the next day and start the trek north. Taking a gander at Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica boulevard before exiting onto the pacific coast highway in Santa Monica. Just north you will drive through Malibu. Honestly speaking, the first section from Malibu to Cambria is best to be passed by as quick as possible. However, Cambria is a great little town on the Ocean with good Lodging options for a night stay over. The next day will be some of the most Fabulous driving you've done in your life: The Pacific Coast highway from Cambria to Carmel
Incredible views, undulating roads hugging the cliffs on the pacific, traveling through Big Sur
It is best to not take off early in the morning, as you will likely be shrouded in pacific fog. Later in the day the fog usually burns off and spectacular views can be taken in. Of note is that Hearst Castle is along the way and although it will delay you for several hours, it is worth stopping in.
In speaking to various members over the past 3 months and getting more suggestions than I know what to do with, it is evident that most feel the idea of spending some time around the Monterey Peninsula during the Pebble Beach extravaganza is a good idea.
I have the 2012 route book from the California Mille, which would have us loop North from Monterey to the wine country and Lake Tahoe, with some spectacular driving!!
Lodging is extremely expensive in and around Monterey during the Pebble Beach week. Hotels will charge as much as 6-7 times their normal rate and get away with it.
I have stayed in Gilroy (the Garlic capitol of the world is it's self proclaimed dubious note of fame). The Hilton Garden inn is on the south end of town, offers ample parking and has excellent facilities (check out their website online:
http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-garden-inn-gilroy-SJCGHGI/index.html Pricing per room is very reasonable and it is only a 45 minute drive from the Monterey Peninsula. In my opinion an excellent base for 2 nights, while visiting Laguna Seca Raceway for the Rolex Historics and Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance.
From there it is 117 miles to San Francisco along the Pacific coast. It is from there that we tie into the routes as outlined by the California Mille. The tour would than take another 4 days and be broken up into palatable morning and afternoon sections for a total of approximately 200 miles per day.
Generally speaking lodging will be along the same trend as this Hilton Garden inn and cost between $100 and $150 per night, depending on location and availability. This typically includes a good breakfast. Hotel rooms generally are bigger than in Europe and rooms with 2 queen size beds could be split, in case members would choose to do so, further reducing expense.
The ACOC part of the tour will be 7 days: 2 at the peninsula for the car events. You'll be on your own as to what you decide you want to do and see. There are many different Concourse events, Auctions by all the Major international Auction houses, historic racing at Laguna Seca Raceway and of course the Pebble Beach Concourse d'Elegance. All of these have different prices attached to them.
Pebble Beach this year was $200
Laguna Seca for a day is $50
The Auctions usually charge $100 or more(or you can renew your membership to Classic and Sports car during one of the events and get a complimentary entry to the Gooding Auction at Pebble Beach)
Dining and Lunches will vary in cost, depending on how extravagant one wants to be. Excellent dinner meals can be had for anywhere from $20-50 per person including drinks. Lunch can be had for as little as $5 to $20 for a great lunch.
Many members have indicated to me they would like to come over for a total of 2-3 weeks. With the above numbers you ought to be able to give yourself a reasonable estimate on what your budget for that trip would be.
Robin's concern is the cost involved with the Pebble Beach week. My concern is cost of shipping. I have various quotes and Robin will look into it as well, as this is her business. She also was kind enough to offer her help in offering options for a "southern" route with attractions such as the Palos Verdes Concourse d'Elegance and track time at Willow Springs. As soon as a firm quote is on the table I will post it on the Forum as well as updating through the ACtion.
Time line suggestion: Cars will have been shipped and are cleared and in warehouse by the time drivers arrive in LA.
August 14th: Arrival of Members at LAX, rest and recover from flights
August 15th: Collect Cars at holding warehouse in AM and drive from LA to Cambria, 220 miles
August 16th: Drive Cambria to Gilroy along the Pacific Coast highway with stop over in Carmel and/or at Hearst Castle, 145 Miles
August 17th and 18th: Stay at Gilroy Hilton Garden inn and visit events of Monterey Peninsula
August 19th: Drive Gilroy to Lodi, along Pacific Coast Highway, through San Fransisco, passing over the Golden Gate Bridge, 225 miles
August 20th: Drive Lodi to Lake Tahoe, 155 miles
August 21st: Drive around Lake Tahoe and up to Reno and back to Lake Tahoe, 190 miles
August 22nd: Drive Lake Tahoe to Calistoga, 236 miles
August 23rd: Drive Calistoga to Bodega bay back to Calistoga 200 miles.
All drives will be broken up in a reasonable morning and afternoon session.
This concludes the "official" tour. Members can decide on their own to continue from there.
Shipping can be arranged to and from LA or other ports, such as Oakland (San Francisco). Anything is possible, even airfreight. It all depends on how much you are willing and able to afford.
Please keep suggestions, questions and announcements of interest to partake coming to my email inbox!
Meyjes@chartermi.net
