Laguna Seca Logistics: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, What to Wear
Photo credit: CNCPics/The Genteman Racer
California’s internationally famous track is Laguna Seca, and it’s known so well for good reason. Nestled in the rolling Monterey hills, this 2.2-mile track incorporates a memorable combination of fast, flowing sections and tricky, technical parts combined with spectacular scenery and temperate weather. The camber changes, blind entries, and heavy braking zones make Laguna Seca hard to master, but that doesn’t matter—any visit to the track, even if the corners are confusing you, is enjoyable.
It can be slippery in the morning.
Its serious elevation changes make for a challenging drive, but also offer some scenic vistas that the observer should take advantage of; few tracks in California can be seen in near-entirety from one vantage point. However, if you want to reach the Corkscrew and peer down on this spectacular circuit, you’ll want to drive—unless you’re in the mood to burn some calories.
Being stuck in the middle of some rolling hills and so near to the ocean, the basin which the track is built in can collect fog in the morning that takes some time to burn off. Even if the weather report says it'll be warm, the fog lingers early, so bring a jacket. If you’re in one of the first run groups to run on a foggier morning, it’s best to treat it as a warm up/wet session and give the tires plenty of time to heat up before pushing.
Also, the proximity to the ocean and warm inland temperatures also attract some wind, so if you’re looking to keep your belongings from blowing away, renting a garage space is worthwhile.
Being a track with some cachet, it features plenty of amenities for those looking to get away for a special weekend. It’s also accessible enough to warrant a day trip. Nearby downtown Monterey has no shortage of restaurants and hotels, though they’re not too cheap.
Photo credit: The Gentleman Racer
That status comes at a price. With the high cost of high-DB days at Laguna Seca, some are looking to cut costs in the ways the can. The track does provide gas (91, 100, and 110-octane), but it’s significantly cheaper to get gas in town. One conveniently located station is the 7-11 on Canyon Del Rey Road. In addition to cheap gas, it has a digital tire inflating machine and a Starbucks on-site.
425 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940
However, if you’re driving one of the bigger rigs, you will need to plan your fuel stop early. A two-car trailer will only fit in the truck stops in nearby Salinas.
Credit: www.co.monterey.ca.us
One way people try to keep their weekend from breaking the bank is camping. There are 380 spots to park a trailer, and the costs are very reasonable. Showers are available by the T5 sound booth, and the numerous vantage points make the event casual and comfortable for friends and family. Staff can also accommodate leaving a car overnight for a small fee; the on-site security staff are great.
However, the sites can’t accommodate trailers of all sizes. Anything larger than a single car trailer is pushing it, and even a thirty-footer is going to be snug it. Also, make sure to prep for wet weather as the fog and mist collects between the hills and takes time to disperse.
For camping information, call (831) 242-8200.
Being a well-traveled area, there are plenty of nicely appointed hotels and restaurants—especially in the safer Seaside area. We tend to avoid some of the cheaper hotels in nearby Salinas.
The hotels we’d recommend are:
Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay
1400 Del Monte Blvd, Seaside, CA 93955
Discovery Inn
1106 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA 93955
The track’s on-site cafe makes good barbeque, teriyaki, burgers, and so on. If someone wants a little more than track food, there’s plenty of restaurants, ranging from Two nearby restaurants within twenty minutes of the track are:
Tarpy’s. Located near the track and able to accommodate larger parties.
2999 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Monterey, CA 93940
Turn 12. Situated a little nearer to the center of town, this motorsports-themed restaurant is casual, but classier than most racing-inspired restaurants.
400 Tyler St, Monterey, CA 93940
Monterey Cookhouse. Not often discussed, but tasty and affordable.
2149 N Fremont St, Monterey, CA 93940
Since a weekend at Laguna can be costly, some opt to buy their food at the grocery store. Thankfully, there are plenty nearby.
Safeway
815 Canyon Del Rey Blvd, Del Rey Oaks, CA 93940
Nob Hill Foods
1320 S Main St, Salinas, CA 93901
Unlike so many of the tracks in California, the surrounding environment makes it easy to relax and make a real weekend out of a trackday; friends and family not doing any driving can still find numerous ways to entertain themselves outside of the circuit.
Final Few
Bring a helmet—there are no rentals available.
Make sure your car isn’t too loud—there is a 95 db sound limit on most track days.
Because traffic at the end of the weekend is almost inevitable, make sure to stock up on snacks before heading home on Sunday. It’s unfortunate, but a couple hours in traffic is a small price to pay for a fun weekend at this fantastic track.
Thanks to Peter Jones, Jess Harmon, Sean Win-Yepez, Gary Wong, Adam Swan, Justin Ross, Eric Preciado, and Justin Ross for their contributions.
