At long last! Not only a car show, but one you had to DRIVE TO! But wait, there's more! Overnight in a hotel for TWO whole nights! A BANQUET! An organized Drive! We were partying like it was 2019. Well, almost. We DID wear masks indoors, were a bit nervous throughout, but everything seemed to go according to plan! Amazing!
Last year, of course, the annual Rendez Vous between the SoCal Citroen owners and our NoCal compatriots didn't happen. Like so many other things. This year, thanks to most of California being shot up, things opened up enough for what we had planned last year. Just skip 2020, reset, and pray it never happens again!
Most years, the RDV takes place in Cambria, but the SoCal Cit Brain Trust (Tina, Chuck, Marianne, and Me) looked for someplace better. After a day of cruising about the Central Coast, visiting a number of venues, we hit on the Shore Cliff Hotel in Pismo Beach. What a spectacular spot! Right ont the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. I guess that's why they call it the Shore Cliff? Just a guess, mind you. And as a bonus, a good resaurant with a banquet facility within staggering distance. All with spectacualr views of the coast as it sweeps around from the Pismo Dunes to Avila Beach and the Port of San Luis. Even the weather was perfect. Nice, cool 70s!
The turnout was good, given all we've been through, some 30 cars and maybe 80 people! And good variety of cars. Everything from Tractions, to 2CVs to Ds to SMs with a few oddities (a GX, a Mehari, and a spectacular 1928 AC4).
One of the regular events of the RDV is, of course, a drive on Saturday. This year, your intrepid blogger and Road Trippin' Wizard got to put it together. You know what that means. Anyting but normal.
I went for a "Gimmick Rallye" type of event. Nothing too extreme, but a chance to visit some of the out of the way spots around the Pismo area, learn a bit of history, and see some great scenery. Naturally, the History Teacher in me came forth, and, not just content with having them show photos of key spots along the way, I included a quiz. See how you do! The route and quiz are posted below, as are some photos.
The best news was that the Yellow Submarine was able to join in the fun. It was touch and go, I managed to finish the clutch change the weekend before and with only a few miles of shakedown, a couple of fiddles to the adjustment, an oil change, and other sundry Stuff, we set out Friday AM.
Along the way we stopped at Bob's Well Bread Bakery in Los Alamos for baguettes even our dyed in the wool French members heartily approved of. No mean feat for Bob's to impress Frenchmen with their bread! Another stop at Trader Joes for Vin et Fromage and we rolled into the Shore Cliff about lunch time.
Just in time to eat our Bob's Well Bread Sandwiches on the BALCONY facing the ocean! This place is so well laid out, every room has a balcony facing the ocean! So, with scoops of pelicans flying below us and roosting on the cliffsides, we ate, then began helping check people in.
Satruday, we were off early to set up the Car Show. Again, we opted for something different this year. In the past, the Show has always been in the hotel parking lot, and about the only people to see our prides and joy were, well, us. I had the idea this year to end the morning drive at a more public place, giving the Great Unwashed a chance to revel in the glories of Weird French Cars. And, since the show was at the END of the drive, to get judged, why, you had to DRIVE your car, not just off load if from the trailer! So, after driving for some two hours (unless they missed one tough to see road sigh or just wimped out), everyone arrived in Avila Beach.
This is a great little Old School Beach town. About two whole blocks of eateries and happycrappy shops, a pier, a harbor, and that's it! It took a bit of asking about, but finally learned that the Port Authority runs all the parking. They have a large lot near the "hot spots" and after a bit of mild grovelling, sold us 30 parking spots in advance. Not their usual MO.
Mari and I headed out early to set things up and rope off an area at the back of the lot for our rag-tag bunch, and then we waited for them to roll in. Which they did in spirts, all commenting on how much fun they had. We attracted a lot of beach goers and even had them vote on a People's Choice award. This turned out to be a great opportunity to not only show off our cars to a wide audience, but to get people interested in what must be the planet's oddest cars.
Back at the hotel with enough time for a quick nap and change, it was off to the banquet at Ventana Grill. Good food and a chance to chat with a French couple from NoCal. At the raffle, they even won a copy of my new and updated "Road Trippin'"! (ahem, have you got YOUR copy yet? hmmm?). They were delighted. Mari and I also did well with the raffle, scoring a Citroen Monopoly game, a Citroen Memory Match game (who knew such things existed) and a pair of cute books (in French) for Abby and Nora.
The highlight of the evening was a presentation by our Guest of Honor. (I'm not sure we've ever had on of those!) Fanny is the driver of Suzanne. Suzanne is a modified Traction Avant (DS engine, disc brakes, and a few more tweaks). Fanny is driving her from Prudoe Bay in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego! Shades of our friends Guy and Eunice and their Austin 7! For more info on the whys and werefores, see: https://www.facebook.com/tractamerica/ and https://terramerica.fr/?fbclid=IwAR10GcgbOcDIKb0fm_d6OrS6oNM6U9O3bxJUW8Y1ohAgc2Vc5PD6TtZNOYI
It's a fascinating story and Fanny had joined our Official Pantheon of Road Trippin' Heros!
Sunday was just the drive home, and we left early enough to even beat the traffic through Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Pasadena! The Traffic Gods were indeed smiling on us!
So, if you've a hankering to get away for a couple of days, hit the Shore Cliff and do the little drive, drink some wine, eat cheese and bread and have fun!
The Drive and Quiz:
le 101 sur le 101 grand rallye amusant
les règles:
ALL participants MUST follow ALL traffic laws, have current registration and insurance for their vehicle.
There are no time limits for this Rallye, no penalties or prizes for early, on time, or late arrivals.
Rallye Terms:
tournez à droite sur: Turn Right Onto...
tournez à gauche sur: Turn Left Onto...
continuer sur: Continue Onto...usually indicates a change in road name without a turn.
fusionner: Merge--only used to enter a freeway
Nord: North--drive in a northerly direction
Sud: South--drive in a southerly direction
Est: East--drive in an easterly direction
Ouest: West--drive in a westerly direction.
Directeur Rallye: Steve McCarthy, Vice President, Citroen Car Club of SoCal. His decisions are final. He will be at the finish with his DS Wagon “The Yellow Submarine”-Look for the yellow umbrella
Opportunités de Photos: Stops along the route to take a photo of your car at the location. These will be so designated in the Instructions d'Itinéraire.
Instructions d'Itinéraire: Route instructions. Distances are given in kilometers (or parts thereof). Each instruction will list first Direction to turn, next, Name of Street, last Distance to NEXT turn. Use of a GPS (or other map/direction app) is allowed. You may find it helpful to enter each Opportunités de Photos into the GPS and use it to guide you. Minor variations might occur, and you might miss some wonderful roads and scenery. It’s your call.
Compass directions will only be used if a freeway is to be entered.
To Earn Points towards the coveted Grand Rallye Trophée you MUST present to the Directeur Rallye the following:
a. Photos, taken on your phone of the FOUR (4)designated Opportunités de Photos in
the Instructions d'Itinéraire. Value: TEN (10) Points Each.
b. The filled out Multiple Choice Quiz. Correct answers will be worth FIVE (5) points each.
c. FIVE (5)Bonus Points will be awarded for business cards/brochures of up to three extra wineries. Tour the Dana Adobe and earn FIFTEEN (15) points.
In case of a tie, a Bonus Quiz, plus whichever car is dirtiest will determine the winner.
The Car Show will take place in the Avila Beach Parking Lot at the end of the Rallye. 12-3pm
départ
1 h 54 min (110 km) approximate time/distance without stops to lunch.
It is suggested you start around 9:30am. This will allow you plenty of time for stops. and get you to Avila Beach for lunch around noon or a bit after.
Shore Cliff Hotel
2555 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
1. tournez à droite sur Price St 850 m
2. tournez à droite sur CA-1 S/PCH, towards Pismo State Beach
continuer sur CA-1 S,
Destination will be on the right 2.3 km
6 min (3.2 km)
FIRST Opportunité de Photo--TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS YOUR CAR HERE!
Monarch Butterfly Grove
400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
3. continuer sur CA-1 S 25.4 km
Destination will be on the right
25 min (25.4 km)
SECOND Opportunité de Photo--TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS YOUR CAR HERE!
Guadalupe Cemetery
Guadalupe, CA 93434
CEMETERY IS LOCATED AT THE NW CORNER OF CA 1 AND CA166/MAIN ST.
BETWEEN THE CEMETERY AND THE NEXT STOP, THE ROADS GO THROUGH OPEN FARM LAND. WATCH OUT FOR SLOW MOVING FARM EQUIPMENT ON THE ROADS!!!!
4. tournez à gauche sur (EST) CA 166/W Main St 1.5 km
5. tournez à droite sur Simas Rd 1.5 km
6. continuer sur Betteravia Rd 4.8 km
Destination will be on the right
7 min (7.9 km)
THIRD Opportunité de Photo--TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS YOUR CAR HERE!
Abandoned Union Sugar Factory
Betteravia Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455
7. tournez à gauche sur Sinton Rd 2.9 km
8. tournez à droite sur Ray Rd 1.7 km
9. tournez à gauche sur CA-166 W 550 m
10. tournez à droite sur Bonita School Rd 5.3 km
11. tournez à droite sur Division St 5.4 km
12. tournez à gauche sur S Frontage Rd 1.0 km
13. tournez à droite sur W Tefft St 260 m
14. tournez à droite sur S Oakglen Ave 1.6 km
DESTINATION WILL BE ON LEFT
22 min (18.9 km)
FOURTH Opportunité de Photo--TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS YOUR CAR HERE!
Dana Adobe
671 S Oakglen Ave, Nipomo, CA 93444
THERE IS A NICE VISITORS’ CENTER HERE. TAKE THE TOUR OF THE ADOBE ($5).
Show evidence you took the tour and earn FIFTEEN (15) BONUS POINTS!
tournez à droite sur S Oakglen Ave out of the parking lot
(back the way you came) 1.6 km
16. tournez à droite sur W Tefft St 850 m
17. tournez à gauche sur N Thompson Ave 5.1 km
Look for Jocko’s Steak House on the left!
18. continuer sur Los Berros Rd 7.4 km
19. tournez à droite sur Valley Rd 1.5 km
20. tournez à droite sur Fair Oaks Ave 700 m
21. tournez à gauche sur Traffic Way 500 m This is a sharp turn, just past the bridge.
22. tournez à droite sur W Branch St/CA227 1.2 km
23. continuer sur Corbett Canyon Rd/CA227 800 m Sign towards CA227 to San Luis Obispo
tournez à droite et continuer
sur Corbett Canyon Rd (no longer CA227) 9.8 km Do NOT follow sign to CA227
25. tournez à droite sur Carpenter Canyon RdCA-227 N 2.5 km (back onto CA227)
26. tournez à droite sur Biddle Ranch Rd
Destination will be on the right 800 m
7 min (8.6 km)
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 Biddle Ranch Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
NOTE: The winery will be open, but is a bit funny about large groups. If you wish to do a tasting, at least look as if you are in a group of less than six people. You may have to wait a bit to taste. It’s OK, this is not a race. REMEMBER, even a taste will impair your driving!!!!
tournez à droite sur Biddle Ranch Rd
(out of parking lot) 1.0 km
28. tournez à gauche sur Orcutt Rd 4.5 km
29. continuer sur Tank Farm Rd 700 m
At the traffic circle,
continuer sur Tank Farm Rd 3.8 km
31. tournez à gauche sur S Higuera St 3.4 km
32. tournez à droite sur Ontario Rd 37 m
tournez à gauche et
continuer sur Ontario Rd 3.2 km
34. tournez à droite sur San Luis Bay Dr 2.3 km
35. tournez à droite sur Avila Beach Dr 4.3 km
36. tournez à gauche sur San Juan St. 35 m
37. tournez à gauche sur 1st St 110 m
38. tournez à gauche sur parking lot.
LOOK FOR THE “YELLOW SUBMARINE” AND THE YELLOW UMBRELLA
23 min (21.6 km)
Avila Beach Parking ($6 ALL DAY)
502 1st St, Avila Beach, CA 93424
LUNCH IS ON YOUR OWN IN AVILA BEACH. THERE IS A LARGE SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM! WE WILL BE PARKING TOGETHER IN THIS LOT. THIS IS WHERE OUR ‘CAR SHOW’ IS. SEE STEVE McCARTHY TO TURN IN YOUR QUIZ AND SHOW HIM YOUR PHOTOS. HE WILL GIVE YOU A BALLOT FOR THE CAR SHOW JUDGING. WE WILL ALSO BE ASKING THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO VOTE ON A ‘PEOPLES’ CHOICE AWARD’!!!!
WE HOPE YOU HAD FUN AND A GREAT DRIVE! SEE YOU BACK AT THE HOTEL FOR THE INAUGURAL RENDEZ VOUS BOULES TOURNAMENT!
TO RETURN TO THE HOTEL:
Avila Public Parking Lot
502 1st St, Avila Beach, CA 93424
Right Exit parking lot onto 1st St. 180 ft
Turn left onto San Miguel St 479 ft
Turn right onto Avila Beach Dr 2.7 mi
Turn right to merge onto US-101 S 3.4 mi
Take exit 191B for Price St 0.1 mi
Turn right onto CA-1 N/Price St 272 ft
Destination will be on the left
Shore Cliff Hotel
2555 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449
L’Exam le Plus Absurde de Tous les Temps
Each season, the Monarch Butterfly Grove counts have been:
Increasing
Decreasing
Staying about the same
They don’t know
Pismo Beach is famous for what tasty bivalve?
Mussels
Clams
Oysters
All of the above
What is the name of the restaurant you passed made of old railroad passenger cars?
The Station Diner
The Hot Rod Diner
Joe’s Diner
Rock ‘n’ roll Diner
Andre Citroen first made his fame making what?
Cars
Herringbone gears
Berets for the french army
Forks for eating escargot
Which of these French authors was not born in France?
Sartre
Hugo
Camus
Dumas
What does the tallest building in Guadelupe have painted on its side?
Our Lady of Guadelupe
Gang graffiti
Nothing
A map of coastal California
When looking at the angelic tombstones in the Guadelupe Cemetery, what important Doctor’s advice should you follow?
Cross yourself
Beware of zombies
Look the other way
Don’t blink
What did the abandoned Union Sugar Factory use to make sugar?
Sugar cane
Sweet corn
Yams
Sugar beets
The Dana Adobe was the home of an American Sea Captain from:
Boston
San Diego
San Francisco
New York
Citroen currently makes a model named for which artist?
Picasso
Monet
Van Gogh
Manet
What epic C.B. deMille silent movie was filmed on the Pismo Dunes?
The Ten Commandments
Ben Hur
Birth of a Nation
The Adventures of Tin Tin
Avila Beach was originally a harbor for what nearby Spanish Mission?
Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Rey
A major design criterium for the 2CV was:
High Speed
Ability to not break a farmer’s eggs on rough roads
Ability to use the front seats as beach chairs
Hill Climbing Torque
The Traction Avant was favored by French gangsters because:
It could hold a lot of loot.
It got the best gas mileage
It could go faster than French police cars
It was cute looking.
US Highway 101 was ORIGINALLY called:
The Coast Route
El Camino Real
The West Highway
None of the Above
