I suggest a room in Carmel (ideally with a full kitchen for convenient & cost-effective culinary fare). Contact Inns-By-The-Sea (a group of 8 hotels) to get a cancellation.
http://www.innsbythesea.com/For preferred parking at events; rent a Fiat 500, Jaguar, or a Mazda MX5 in Los Angeles (or San Francisco).
After attending the weekend 30 times I have a few tips to share, though no personal experience on mid-week, or pre-historic events, as I don't get to Monterey 'till early Thursday. But if you are near Seaside on Tuesday or Wednesday go to The Embassy Suites for Automobilia Monterey.
http://www.automobil....com/index.htmlAs mentioned, get to Carmel on Thursday to see the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance. Expect a Large crowd when the tour stops downtown at the park at Noon. Preview the Gooding & Company auctions at Pebble Beach, also look for a Mercedes exhibit near the Palmerro Way entrance. Go to the Quail Lodge Golf Club, Carmel Valley to see the Bonhams auction preview including the BMW M1 Pro Car painted by Frank Stella
http://www.bonhams.com Adjacent Quail is the popular Baja Cantina
http://www.carmelval...a.com/baja.htmlFriday is the Concorso Italiano, Laguna Seca Golf Ranch. If two people in your party, save on ticket price & get up front parking by registering the Fiat 500 as an "Italian Show Car" for $115, before May 31.
https://secure.conco...dex.php/italianSaturday, drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea through the Carmel Valley over the Laureles Grade to Laguna Seca Raceway. Park the Mazda or Jaguar in the corral parking area reserved in advance. In the evening, back in Carmel, go to the Hogs Breath Inn for drinks
http://www.hogsbreathinn.net/Sunday, arrive at Pebble Beach close to Dawn, get a cappuccino & watch the cars driving to the lawn. The Automotive Fine Arts Society (AFAS) exhibit opens at 10:30. See Horton's for books at the Pebble Beach RetroAuto (or go on Friday or Saturday). At 1pm I would join the far fewer spectators back at Laguna Seca. Stroll vendor row & see books from Wine Country MotorSports, David Bull, and Automobilia Collectibles. Get an ice cream from the Boy Scouts before they sell out. Consider staying for the awards about 5:30pm.
If driving to Los Angeles, take Highway 1 South, stop at Nepenthe Restaurant, Big Sur -- make sure you have the top down on the Mazda MX5.
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/Museums to consider include:
The Blackhawk Collection in Danville. One hour East of San Francisco Airport, Two hours North of Monterey. May have free admission on Monday after Pebble Beach.
http://www.blackhawkcollection.com/The Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles
http://www.petersen.org is 30 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport.
The Mullin Museum in Oxnard,
http://www.mullinaut...nformation.html is about 1 hour North of Los Angeles. It is only open a few times per month, closest dates listed to Monterey are Wed, Aug 10, & Sat 27, 2011. The focus are Bugatti, Delage, Delahaye, Hispano Suiza, Talbot-Lago and Voisin.
Send me a PM or email if you want any more info. (If you get media or photo credentials, I have advice on access gates, lessor known spots, media shuttles -- and food service.)
About 10 years ago I attended the weekend with a nice fellow from Australia who was thrilled with the relative bargains, and now the Australian dollar is at an all time high compared to the US dollar -- Enjoy!
Mark
Carpinteria, Calif.