[lbpesq]

Typically, SLT will average a high in the low 70's in June and in the high 70's in July. San Luis Obispo averages a degree or two higher during the same months. Just going inland a little gets a lot warmer. Paso Robles averages about 15 degrees warmer than SLO. Unfortunately, we can't plan for heat waves, like we experienced two years ago in Mendocino and, to a lesser degree, last year in Sonora.


Bill

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[ds968]

Typically, SLT will average a high in the low 70's in June and in the high 70's in July. San Luis Obispo averages a degree or two higher during the same months. Just going inland a little gets a lot warmer. Paso Robles averages about 15 degrees warmer than SLO. Unfortunately, we can't plan for heat waves, like we experienced two years ago in Mendocino and, to a lesser degree, last year in Sonora.


Bill

 True, no way to plan for heatwaves, so I'll just play this by ear , realizing I may have to stay at a different hotel if I decide to join at the last moment but that's not an obstacle for me .    I don't remember  which month or even which year one of our Paso Robles meeting were  ( but thinking its was about 8 or 9 years ago )  when the temps reached 102 and 104 in the two days we were there , but will never ever do that again ..     

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[lbpesq]

I think we broke 100 when we swung a little inland and cruised down 101 for a bit on the Mendocino trip two years ago.  Top up, AC blasting away! 

 

Back to planning:  Who made the hotel arrangements in the past?  Bob?  Kaj?  Whoever it was, I don't mind looking around for this year, but I have a few questions before I get started.  Since someone here has done it previously, I thought that would be a good place to start instead of re-inventing the wheel.

 

Bill

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

Good question. Both Bob and I have done hotel arrangements. Here is what I focused on:

 

1) Location. Trying to center it around our driving events.

2) Accommodation. Enough room and enough parking for at least 15 cars. A private room to get together as well.

3) Pricing. Getting good group pricing is important

4) Surroundings. Good restaurants and fun stuff to do in the neighborhood.

 

I am sure Bob can add to this but this is a good starter kit.

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[lbpesq]

So I've been thinking about this, looking at some maps, and I'd like to offer another alternative:


We look for a hotel in the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Seaside/Sand City general area.


We spend Saturday doing a fun run where we catch California 25 off of 101 a little south of Gilroy. 25 is one of the most scenic two-lanes I've ever driven and has little traffic. The last time I drove it was on the way to the last Paso event. You can take it about 60-90 miles south (depending on cutting over the King City or continuing to 198), and then return on 101.


Sunday we can do a more leisurely drive and take in some of the many attractions available in the area: Carmel, the Aquarium, 17 Mile Scenic Drive, maybe cruise 30 miles down the coast to Big Sur and lunch at Nepenthe, etc.


One long driving day. One short driving/exploration day.


Thoughts?


Bill

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[Waylander]

Makes us dwellers on this side of the pond very jealous

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[tejon007]

Bill, Sounds great...always liked Pebble Beach and 17 mile drive. Maybe a good spot for a group photo??

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[Langley968]

Just read through this thread - looking forward to a possible drive down again!

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

Bill's plan sounds great. Who has the time this year to do the planning and what dates are we looking at?

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[Daniel S]

I am a little late to this topic, but have we decided on a date and location?   From what I can glean from the 49 post, minus the cab vs coupe debate, is that we were talking about the weekend before July 4 and Monterey.  Is that the latest? 

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[lbpesq]

I've started looking for a hotel for the weekend of June 28-30, with the option of staying through July 1. I'm also telling them we can be a little flexible on the dates, one or two weekends in either direction, if we can get a better deal. Based on previous gatherings, I'm trying to find something with decent rooms, easy parking, and a place we can gather, for $150/night or less, but closer to $175 a night might be more realistic. That's the first quote I received. I'm waiting on another and put in a request for bids through priceline.


We have always included wineries in our outings. I am not a wine guy, so I don't have a clue if there is anything winery-wise in the area that folks would want to do. If there is interest to include wine stuff, perhaps someone else could research options. In the past, I've joked about including a tour of a cannabis facility. Well I've received an invitation for us to check out a large indoor licensed cultivation company in the area. Is there interest in this?


Bill

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

If there is an interest I can find a winery....let me know.....Should be one with a lunch stop..right?

 

Might be time to delegate.

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[Rap]

It’s legal now to smoke and drive right Bill?

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[lbpesq]

Could be, depending on how long between the smoking and the driving. A better course would be to reverse the order!

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[ds968]

Always carry a bottle of whiskey in your car . If you're stopped for suspicion of DUI , chug it down right in front off the officer the moment you're pulled over . " - I was perfectly sober until you stopped me officer , and I fear the police so I had to open this bottle and drink it to calm my nerves ! Sure , I'll submit to a breathalyzer test but you witnessed what I just did .... "

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[lbpesq]

I'm starting to get some hotel responses from the Monterey area.  Pretty expensive.  Around $175 a night might be the best we can do there.  Is that too much?

 

Bill

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[ds968]

IF ( a big "if" ) I'll be able to make this meet , it'll likely be a decision made less than week in advance, so I'll just have to deal with whatever hotel prices are at the time, as well as which hotels are available, so no need to count me in the number of guests if you're negotiating a group discount, but hotel prices are not really an issue for me ...unless of course the only hotel available left over is the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons at $ 500 + night .

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[tejon007]

Bill, we're OK with $175. There's a Courtyard in Salinas (about 18 miles inland) that's $151...maybe there's some other hotel off the Monterey peninsula that can give us a better rate?? That's if $175 is too high for the others.


(We like Marriott Hotels)

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

Salinas might have the best deals. Make sure we stay out of any car events in the area around the weekend you pick.

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[ds968]

Most definitely stay away from car events weekends..and there are quite a few of those in the Monterey region during the summer . Hotel prices double and sometimes triple , and availability within a 25 mile radius of the event venue is about as scarce as it gets , many rooms sell out nearly a year in advance.

I could be wrong , but I think Courtyard ( I also like the Marriott chain ) may have complimentary breakfasts, as does Holiday Inn Express hotels ( the latter are typically a lot nicer than their name sounds...it's not a motel ) and that's included in the price so keep that in mind. IMO it's also a great time saver when you just walk downstairs for some morning " fuel " before you fuel up the 968s , as opposed to driving to some other breakfast restaurants and wasting another hour or two that day.

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