Sports Car Digest Travel – Monterey

By Karletta Moniz
You see her at every race. Over there, in the pits, the one in the lawn chair. She glances up from her book or magazine every few minutes to check the time on her mobile phone. So who is she, you ask? She’s the bored wife or partner or girlfriend or significant other of the vintage sports car owner/enthusiast. She is here because it sounded like fun. And it was for the first two days. And now, well, she’s just a teensy bit bored. After a few turns around the track and with all the chrome polished – either by you or her – she wonders ‘now what?’.
I have been the bored ‘other’ since August, 1986. Mercedes-Benz was the marque that year and the event was still called the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. D was there to shoot the race and I had tagged along thinking that there would be enough to keep me occupied at the track all day. Wrong. We had just arrived when I glanced at my watch. ‘So’, I asked, ‘ how much longer are we staying?’. Luckily, D has a sense of humor. After his face lost its ‘is she kidding me?’ expression he tossed me the car keys and said ‘pick me up at 6’. I was out of there faster than you could say ‘Gentlemen, start your engines’!
I learned 27 years ago that there are lots of ways to enjoy time off the track in Monterey. What follows is a list of my favorite restaurants, activities, and, if you are planning ahead, hotels that are all within one hour of the track – most are as close as 20 minutes. Got kids? No problem. There is plenty for them to enjoy here. I hope that you will let us know what you think and will share some of your favorites. Don’t limit these suggestions to just race days. All of these places are worth a visit any time of year.

Monterey – Where to Eat

Katy’s Place (Carmel) – There are two reasons to eat breakfast at Katy’s: the eggs benedict and the corned beef hash. Don’t be surprised if you aren’t hungry for lunch after a meal here.
The Breakfast Club (Seaside) – This is the definition of a ‘local’s hangout’. The waitresses seem to know all the customer’s names and vice versa. Lots of kid-friendly choices. What it lacks in ambiance it makes up for in hearty servings of well prepared breakfast classics and friendly service.
Big Sur Bakery (Big Sur) – The wide variety of baked goods is a little overwhelming. But once I have my coffee in hand I calm down and content myself with the knowledge that I can get back in line again and again. There are danish and cookies and breads and muffins…Can’t decide? Then order what Alice Waters of Chez Panisse did one morning when I was behind her in line. A simple bran muffin. Of course. This is also a great place to stop for a cup of afternoon tea and a salted caramel brownie or a made-to-order sandwich.

Nepenthe’s (Big Sur) – This is a remarkable place. When people whine to me that the food is not great I feel compelled to explain that Nepenthe is not so much a restaurant as it is an experience. Sound a little too hippy-dippy? Perhaps. But this is the West Coast’s most breathtaking convergence of land and sea. Sipping a cocktail and relaxing at a table on the front patio while gazing out at the Pacific Ocean and Big Sur coast is my idea of heaven. Order the Ambrosia Burger, a slice of four layer chocolate fudge cake and a cappuccino. If you are not the designated driver and you want a cocktail that will transport you instantly to your own ‘island of welcome forgetfulness’ then you must try the ‘Original Nepenthe C & C’ – a snifter of heated Cognac and green Chartreuse.
Red Brick Pizza (Del Rey Oaks) – This is D’s quick lunch spot. Less than ten minutes from the track you can purchase wood fired pizzas to take back to the crew or sit outside at one of the shady tables to eat a freshly prepared chopped salad or cooling gelato. Kid-friendly. Starbucks is next door.
Deetjen’s (Big Sur) – While it is a bit far from the track for an overnight stay you should still consider eating breakfast here one morning in their eclectic, sunlit dining room. You will feel as though you have been transported back to the 1930’s when the first of the original cabins was built.