Casablanca

The A-List

Our curated guide to the finest dining, services, and experiences in and around Monterey — assembled for guests who know what they're after.

Tables worth
reserving early

From Carmel's most celebrated tasting menus to clifftop dinners above Big Sur — the Peninsula dining scene rewards those who plan ahead. These are the rooms we'd book first.

Contemporary
Chez et Noir
Carmel-by-the-Sea

A husband-and-wife kitchen with a tight, ever-changing menu and a natural wine list that punches well above its size. Intimate, unfussy, and quietly one of the best meals on the Peninsula.

Book: Reservations open early and fill fast — don't wait
Fine Dining
Aubergine
Carmel-by-the-Sea

One of the Central Coast's most celebrated tasting menus, set inside L'Auberge Carmel. Impeccably sourced, beautifully paced, and exactly the kind of dinner Car Week deserves.

Reservation: Books months out during Car Week — prioritise this one
French Bistro
La Bicyclette
Carmel-by-the-Sea

A wood-fired European bistro with a menu rooted in rustic French technique. The whole roasted chicken and the wine list are both reasons to return twice in the same week.

Best for: A relaxed evening after the concours lawn
California Cuisine
Foray
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Seasonally driven California cooking in an intimate setting. The kitchen works closely with local producers, and the result is a menu that tastes exactly like where you are.

Vibe: Refined but warm — good for a smaller group
Fine Dining
Lucia
Carmel Valley Ranch

Set on the grounds of Carmel Valley Ranch with vineyard views to match the food. Farm-to-table California cooking at its most considered — the kind of meal that earns a long, unhurried evening.

Note: The outdoor terrace at golden hour is exceptional
Ocean View
Pacific's Edge
Hyatt Carmel Highlands

Perched above the Pacific with unobstructed ocean views from every table. The wine cellar is among the finest on the coast. Come for sunset and stay well into the evening.

Go-to: Reserve a window table — the view is the occasion
Clifftop Dining
Post Ranch Inn
Big Sur

Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn sits 1,200 feet above the Pacific. The tasting menu is exceptional; the setting is singular. Plan the drive down Highway 1 for an afternoon and stay for dinner.

Allow: A half-day — the drive is part of the experience
Iconic
Cypress Inn
Carmel-by-the-Sea

A Carmel landmark co-owned by Doris Day, the bar and dining room have a timeless, old-Hollywood warmth. The Sunday brunch is a Peninsula institution worth experiencing at least once.

Best for: A leisurely brunch or pre-dinner cocktails
Resort Dining
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach

Between Stillwater Bar & Grill's 18th-hole terrace and The Bench's coastal plates, the Lodge offers some of the most reliably excellent dining on the Peninsula — with the setting to match.

Tip: Stillwater's terrace at dusk, overlooking the 18th green, is unmissable
American
Stationæry
Carmel-by-the-Sea

A neighbourhood restaurant with a confident, unfussy menu and a room that earns its popularity. Excellent cocktails, solid sourcing, and the kind of energy that makes a mid-week dinner feel like an occasion.

Vibe: Lively and unpretentious — a welcome contrast to the formality of the week
"The best Car Week days end at a great table — and the best mornings start at the wheel."
— The Casablanca House

Courses worth
the early tee time

The Monterey Peninsula holds some of the world's most legendary golf. Whether you're here for the Pro-Am or simply want 18 holes between auction previews, these are the courses that matter.

World-Class
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach

The most iconic public course in America. The 18th hole along the Pacific cliffs is a bucket-list moment regardless of your handicap. Book directly through the Lodge.

Tip: The Lodge concierge can sometimes access inventory when the public calendar shows full
Classic Links
Cypress Point Club
Pebble Beach

A private Alister MacKenzie masterpiece and widely regarded as one of the finest courses on earth. Access is by member invitation — cultivate the right friendships.

Access: Private member guests only
Hidden Gem
Pasatiempo Golf Club
Santa Cruz

Another MacKenzie design, 30 minutes north. Semi-private, walkable, and stunning. The ravine holes on the back nine are among the best inland golf in California.

Best for: A quieter, uncrowded round during Car Week

For the cars
you drove here

You brought something special. These are the local and mobile specialists trusted to keep concours-level vehicles looking precisely as they should.

Mobile Detailing
Monterey Detail Co.
Serving Greater Monterey

Concours-grade mobile detailing and paint correction. They come to the estate, understand what show-level prep requires, and treat every vehicle with appropriate respect.

Book: At least 48 hours in advance during Car Week
Tyre & Service
Seaside Tire & Auto
Seaside, CA

A trusted local shop familiar with exotic and collector vehicles. Tyre swaps, flat repairs, and light mechanical work done quickly and without drama.

Note: Call ahead — volume increases during Car Week
Enclosed Transport
West Coast Enclosed Transport
Regional — Bay Area / Monterey

Climate-controlled enclosed transport for vehicles that shouldn't be driven long distances. Reliable for auction pickups and post-event delivery throughout California and beyond.

Lead time: Book 2–3 weeks ahead during auction season

Cellar finds &
tasting rooms

The Santa Lucia Highlands and Carmel Valley are home to some of California's most distinctive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These are the producers and rooms worth an hour of your afternoon.

Tasting Room
Bernardus Winery
Carmel Valley

A 20-minute drive from the estate brings you to one of the valley's most polished producers. The Marinus Bordeaux-blend is exceptional; the lodge and grounds are an event themselves.

Visit: Reserve a seated tasting — the barrel room experience is worth it
Pinot Specialist
Pisoni Vineyards & Winery
Santa Lucia Highlands

One of the most sought-after Pinot Noir sources in California. Their estate wines are allocated and scarce — visiting the vineyard is a rare opportunity reserved for a select few.

Access: By appointment only
Bottle Shop
The Wine House, Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea

A well-curated independent shop with strong Central Coast and Burgundy selections. The staff know their stock and won't steer you wrong for a cellar pickup or an evening at the estate.

Ask about: Local allocation access and current releases

Beyond the
concours lawn

When the auctions close and the circuit quiets, the Peninsula still delivers. These are the experiences that extend a great week into something more lasting.

Coastal Drive
17-Mile Drive
Pebble Beach

The canonical morning route. From the Casablanca motor court to the Pacific Grove gate, through Pebble Beach and back via Carmel — a 30-minute loop that never gets old, particularly in something worth driving.

Best window: 7–9am before traffic builds. The light is extraordinary.
Scenic Route
Big Sur Run
Highway 1 South

Head south on Highway 1 toward Big Sur for one of the world's great driving roads. Plan for a morning — Nepenthe for lunch at the cliff's edge makes a natural turnaround point.

Allow: Half a day. Check CalTrans for any seasonal closures.
Culture
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Cannery Row

A genuinely world-class institution and an ideal option for non-car guests or a slower afternoon. The open-ocean exhibit is one of the finest in any aquarium globally.

Tip: Early entry members-only hours — worth the membership for Car Week
Spa
The Spa at Pebble Beach
The Lodge at Pebble Beach

When the week demands recovery, this is the right address. Full-service spa with ocean-view treatment rooms. Book well in advance — it fills during Car Week without exception.

Book: Directly through The Lodge concierge
Stay at Casablanca

Ready to plan
your perfect week?

Reach out and we'll help you make the most of your time on the Peninsula — from arrival logistics to dinner reservations and everything in between.

Make an Inquiry