The California Coast Run is a good excuse to get together with other people who enjoy driving. The friendships, scenery, food, prizes, and helping out a charity are what makes it really special.

Five years ago I moved to California. Even before I moved here I loved to come drive along the California coastline. Highway 1 from San Simeon to Monterey has always been one of my favorite places to drive. I have been into Pontiac Fieros for about 16 years now and was active in the hobby when I lived in Tennessee. I always participated in events in the Southeast and I was the founder of a statewide club in Nashville.

When I got settled in California and started meeting other Fiero owners, putting together an event to take advantage of the scenic roads became a bit of a dream for me. And the California Coast Run was born.

My wife and I spent a lot of time on the coast and established a friendship with the owner of the Courtesy Inn in San Simeon. I told him that I was thinking of trying to get a group of people to come over and do a run up the coast with me. He offered his hotel amenities and a great rate to help us get going. His help in finding caterers and other vendors that we use has earned the Courtesy Inn a spot as the home base for the Coast Run every year.

Every year, we find a different location for the northern end of the Run. Since we drive the same road every year, we find different places for our northern meeting location and lunch to try to make it a little different every year. In the past we have visited Carmel Valley, Salinas, and Monterey.

Saturday evening each year finds us at a catered dinner at the hotel, followed by a charity raffle that raises money for St Judes Children's Research Hospital. The list of supporting vendors has grown every year and we hope that their kindness has been rewarded. The raffle is always a very popular part of the Coast Run and the fact that the money is for a good cause makes it better.

Basic Coast Run Itinerary

Below is a basic itinerary of the Coast Run weekend.

Friday: Arrive at hotel. Dinner in Cambria.

Saturday 8AM: Leave hotel heading north.

Saturday noon: Lunch!

Satruday afternoon: Head south back down the coast.

Saturday evening: Catered dinner followed by raffle.

Saturday night: Socializing and karaoke.

Sunday AM: Breakfast? Hearst Caste Tours? Head home.