Last chance for Crystal Cove


THE1GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 14, 2006
34
San Juan Capistrano, CA
Maybe someone has already addressed this but as you may have read, The Irvine Company is shutting down the Saturday morning event at Crystal Cove. Last day will be Oct. 14th. I have never been but I would like to go tomorrow and or the 14th. Any one else going? Any advice on what time to get there, etc would be greatly appreciated.
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
THE1GT said:
Maybe someone has already addressed this but as you may have read, The Irvine Company is shutting down the Saturday morning event at Crystal Cove. Last day will be Oct. 14th. I have never been but I would like to go tomorrow and or the 14th. Any one else going? Any advice on what time to get there, etc would be greatly appreciated.

that blows... :bs :thumbsdow :bs
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,675
Belleville, IL
Perhaps I don't understand CA corporate affairs. How can the Irvine "Company" shut down a public event? Brief explanation please.
 

427Aggie

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 18, 2005
885
Frisco, Tx
They are the shopping center owner and its private property...All they have to say is GTFO.

Matt
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,675
Belleville, IL
Ah, now it's "Crystal " clear. I guess my understanding of cove was not what it should have been. Thanks.
 

ENZO BTR

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 11, 2005
1,048
Southern California
Get there by 7 at the latest, I would suggeset 6:30 to 6:45 (especially if plenty of people know it's winding down). By 7 a.m. they close the inner lot because it's full of too many cool exotic cars, though you can still park in the outer areas and walk the coveted "inner sanctum" section of dream machines.

I don't know about tomorrow, but maybe next Saturday I'll make a run down there to honor the last day.

Damn shame! It's not at all convenient for me, but I'm still willing to make the 100-mile (each way) trip to see all those beautiful cars. Should have assumed anything so cool couldn't last forever (sort of like the GT itself). :frown
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,039
California
I'd definitely recommend the earlier the better. I used to live within walking distance of the event, and if this is the last show, there will likely be a TON of people there. Enjoy!

I think the show brought a lot of free publicity and community to the shopping center, and it really is a shame that the Irvine Co. can't make it work for everyone. I was there in the beginnings when it was small and intimate. It really has gotten huge, I haven't been there as often, since it got really big.
 

jsalomon

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 20, 2006
206
Newport Beach, CA
Hey Guys,

I live just down the road and have gone almost every Saturday. It is really sad that the Irvine Company is doing this. They are getting a lot of bad press in the local papers, but they probably don't care!

The local cops and the center have sent out strict rules; You can not arrive much earlier than 7:00am. They close off the entrances and the cops won't let you line up on the side streets or PCH.

We need to find a similar location. Maybe the parking lot at the actual Crystal Cove State Beach. Small fee to get in, but you got the view of the ocean!

I'll check in to that and you all know.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,039
California
fjpikul said:
Perhaps I don't understand CA corporate affairs. How can the Irvine "Company" shut down a public event? Brief explanation please.

A little more background from the LA Times (for educational purposes only)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2006 – West magazine, the Sunday magazine of the Los Angeles Times, today announced that Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren tops its list of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California.

The complete West 100 list will be available after 12 p.m. PDT today at www.latimes.com/top100 and will be featured in the Aug. 13 print edition of West magazine.

The top 10 power players in the West 100 are:

1. Donald Bren, 74, chairman, Irvine Co., Newport Beach - Orange County looks like Orange County because of Bren's influence. Also bearing his imprint is the New Majority, a growing coalition of wealthy, socially moderate Republicans who helped vault Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger into office.
 

50 BMG

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2005
559
AZ
Wankers...

People all over the world know about that GTG every Saturday. Just goes to prove the old motto: If it ain't broke, fix it till it is... :thumbsdow
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,039
California
As a real estate developer myself, I think there are many problems much worse than having a world famous shopping center and car show, and suffering with a traffic problem for a few hours once a week.

But then again, I am not considered the most powerful business man in Southern California, so what do I know....

This move should at least knock him down a few slots.

Heheh.
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,697
Sandpoint Id
The story I hear is the people living in the hills directly above CC have complained for quite sometime about the traffic, loud revving of motors, and speed exhibitions (while coming and going) starting before 6am and not ending till after 9am.
 

Woboose

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 2, 2006
130
Malibu, CA
Whats the address?

Does anyone know the actual address? I would love to check it out this Saturday. Coming from the Malibu area.
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,697
Sandpoint Id
Take the 405 south and exit MacArthur Blvd. Rt towards the beach. Lf on PCH for a few miles (more than 4), can't miss it on your left.
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,039
California
SteveA said:
The story I hear is the people living in the hills directly above CC have complained for quite sometime about the traffic, loud revving of motors, and speed exhibitions (while coming and going) starting before 6am and not ending till after 9am.

Those Starbucks sales figures must have been off the chart for a couple years.
 

KJRGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2006
2,840
SoCal
What a bummer to hear about this :bs
I guess I need to get down there this Saturday or next.
The only other weekley gathering I know of is Donut Derilics in Huntington Beach, but that lot is tiny in comparison.
I guess we'll be relegated to the Calabasas and Mulholland event on the last Sunday of the month, starting at 9am....
 

jsalomon

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 20, 2006
206
Newport Beach, CA
The stories about the people who live above the center complaining are coming from the Irvine Company!!!!

The truth is the Newport Beach Police have received no complaints at all. After the local paper confronted the Irvine Comapny with this fact, they then said it was insurance. A bunch of us offered to pay for the insurance and the Irvine Company said no thanks.

BTW....The Irvine Company is going to compensate Starbucks to stay closed until 9:00am (that's when the center normally opens)!!!!

I will be there this last great Saturday. It would be nice to meet as many GT Owner's as possible. Maybe we can talk and see if there are any other places to meet?
 

50 BMG

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2005
559
AZ
The show should move to the Fashion Island parking lot where it connects to PCH. Thats what, 5 miles away from the current location?... with far more parking.
 

Gulf GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 9, 2006
1,539
California
The Irvine Company is well known for their, let's say, asshole approach to doing business. They make decisions and the rest of Orange County has to deal with it, and they often do it with attitude. Overall they are a positive influence, but some things they do are not cool.

The shopping center was struggling for the first few years, so the Irvine Company needed the traffic to the center for recognition. Now it's doing better, so the show must go. This is the likely situation.

I also live near it.
 

AtomicGT

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Apr 12, 2006
3,032
Los Angeles
Every car club I belong to in So Cal is planning on going to CC on Saturday, hence I am not going as it will be a mad house and they won't be able to handle the crowds. Drive your GT to Flo's at the Chino Airport and actually sit down and enjoy the breakfast!