On Wednesday I leave with a friend for the Concorso Italiano and Concours d'Elegance car shows in Monterey, CA. We will do it in two days, driving about 6 hours each day. I went last year by myself so the trip will be a lot easier this time. The Z was a great travel car on the California highways last year and I expect it to be the same this time. Will post some pics when I get back.

 

I lived in monterey for a year. My Z wasn't out there at the time, but Highway 1 will be fun as hell for you to drive up and down.

I miss monterey :P If you want any local places to hit up let me know what you are looking for I could give you some names.

 

^ Same here, lived there for 2 yrs, but didn't have my Z those days... I wish I did! I would've loved to take it on Laguna Seca. OMFG that wouldve been so much fun!!!

OH! And you HAVE to have breakfast at the Old Monterey Cafe. The BEST breakfast in all of California!!!

 

I am currently the "Area Representative" for the Monterey/Santa Cruz ZONC (Z Owners of Northern California, which includes Z's, G's, GTR's etc. Life here is a bliss. I live in Salinas and have a Annual Carmel Valley/Pebble Beach Run each Sept., being Sept 11th this year in which we go on a nice cruise, do the 17 mile drive on Pebble Beach, and I reserve half of the "Poppyhill Restaurant" on Pebble Beach itself for a buffet luncheon. We had 100+ cars on the 2009 event. You will enjoy the weather here, never hot, never cold and mostly sunny day in and day out. If you check out the Northern CA forum all the events are listed there and lots of locals you can even pm and get good info. By the way, "Grandma's Kitchen in Seaside on Fremont St. is a good restaurant to eat at if you get a chance. Have fun while you're here. Here's ZONC's website, if you want to check what's happening here also. http://zonc.org/

 

I'll come stop by for a group event in 2011. I'm moving up to Sacramento in November. Thanks for the link I'll keep in touch.

 

I had a job offer near Monterey recently, and I turned it down because the cost of living was terrible (effectively it would have lowered my salary). How do you afford to live there? $1M mortgages, 17% state tax, etc? It is possible I am missing how the locals do it, maybe you can shed some light. I would love to drive the Z there.

 

I was. Stationed there. That's how I afforded its

 

I bought back in 12/2001, as prices then weren't so bad. Also having two incomes, retired military and working federal govt. helps too. Prices flew up but have come back down now also. It's just a matter of finding somebody hurting to sell their home, and grabbing before the market grabs it. I did...got a good deal with a decent % mortgage rate under 6%. nodonnie, I take it you were at Presidio, I go there and Fort Ord shopping. Another great way to same on costs. No tax and lower prices on most everything. i.e. I buy 3 cases of soda for $11.00, no tax, no crv charges. Another one would be things like Patene shampoo and rinse. I catch sales on base for $1.60 a bottle. and just a multitude of sales like this, stock up till next sale comes. That's the way to live on more for the $1 at lower cost of living. Gasoline isn't cheap though. So it's just a matter of catching good deals at the right time anywhere from homes to grocery shopping, to whatever you do. That's the secret to anywhere of course. Shopping on base there is no sales tax (No CA. or Fed. tax). Now that's where I can really save on anything from food, to clothing, housewares, furniture, you name it. It's not just how much you make, but how you use it that helps to make work.

 

Monterey's a beautiful place for a drive. I went there a while back with family. Wish i could go again

 

This is why I miss having a military ID, I use to shop at Moffet Field when I lived in Campbell Ca, until the Pentagon wanted their ID back.

 

If the friend your going with is a lady friend hit up 17 mile drive. Very relaxing scenic drive. May see a few dear on the golf course too. Have fun!

 

monterey is awesome taking my fiance there tomarow for her birthday we live in santa cruz and its just as nice,
those of you wondering ya its not cheap to live here but its not cheap to have a Z so relativly its worth it!