How To Enjoy The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance

On Thursday August 18, 2016 over 100 cars which make up the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance will depart the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center for the three hour driving tour along some of the most scenic and challenging roads throughout the Monterey Peninsula. For spectators we’ve got some suggestions on how to enjoy the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance.

8/11/16 Update, the current Soberness Fire (between Carmel Highlands and Big Sur) according to Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is not impacting any of the events, however some have indicated the tour may be shortened to avoid this area. 

First, start with the map!  (Click for larger version.) There are various spots along the route where one can find a safe pull off and locate good vantage point. You’ll need to scout this out a day in advance and be there long before any action. But if you really want to see the cars up close and not play the waiting game, the starting point is primo. As you drive up Portola Road you can’t miss the Rolex starting gate.

One of the most exciting spots to view the tour is right at the beginning, where the cars line up and get rolling. Cars begin maneuvering into position more than an hour before the official 8AM start time. You might get the chance to speak to the owner or just get some photos minus crowds of people. On the opposite end, for late sleepers, watching the return can be almost as fun.

2016 TOUR DETAILS
7:00 a.m. Cars line up on Portola Road in Pebble Beach
8:00 a.m. Tour departs
11:00 a.m. Tour arrives in Carmel-by-the-Sea
12 noon Cars are displayed on Ocean Avenue
2:30 p.m. Tour returns to Pebble Beach
3:00 p.m. Concluding Champagne toast for participants

The energy is high in Carmel around 11AM, when the cars begin to roll in and park along Ocean Avenue. For anyone not going to the Concours d’Elegance this is a chance to see the same cars, for free! Parking is at a premium so expect a long walk from your car to Ocean Avenue.

Regardless of your spot, get up early and layer up, its often cool in the morning mist before the sun burns through.

This driving tour is much more than a parade of the world’s best automotive machinery, it can be the deciding factor if a tie is achieved during judging at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. For those competing on Sunday, this can be decide a winner or a looser. For spectators it is a goose bump producing nostalgic look at history as the cars roll past with all the audible sputtering and smells of vintage horsepower.