The 2015 Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance kicks off today with cars to be displayed at this year’s event being drive on a selected route around the Monterey peninsula area in California.
Initiated to showcase the elegance of the automobile in motion, the Tour also underscores the early history of Pebble Beach. Decades before golf links were laid out along the edge of the Pacific Ocean, this area was known for its scenic drive, winding for miles through the pine and cypress forest alongside dramatic cliffs and leading, ultimately, to a beautiful crescent-shaped bay.
The traditional Tour traces portions of the original 17-Mile Drive, traverses nearby mountains and valleys, and pauses for a time in picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea. Tour participants enjoy a catered gourmet lunch, a champagne celebration at the finish and commemorative gifts.
The Tour is only open to all entrants in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance but spectators are invited to view the Tour at key points along the route, particularly along Ocean Avenue in Carmel.
It is important to note that the Tour and the Concours are directly linked. If two vehicles tie in class competition at the Concours, the vehicle that has successfully completed the Tour wins the tiebreaker.
2015 Tour d’Elegance details, Thursday, August 13
7 – 8 a.m. Cars line up on Portola Road, near the Equestrian Center in Pebble Beach
8:00 a.m. Tour departs, tracing portions of 17-Mile Drive and nearby scenic roads
11:00 – 12 noon Tour arrives in Carmel-by-the-Sea
12 noon – 2 p.m. Cars are displayed on Ocean Avenue
2 – 2:30 p.m. Tour returns to Pebble Beach
3:00 p.m. Concluding Champagne toast for participants
Photo credits: Ron Kimball and Steve Burton