2021 Western Region Tour

Best Western Island Palms Hotel – Shelter Island

Packards by the Bay –

May 12-16, 2021

The San Diego Packard Club was the host for the 2021 PAC Western Region Tour. Sixty Participants from California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada enjoyed five days of touring the best that San Diego has to offer, enjoying the waterfront Island Palms accommodations, but most of all making new Packard friends and driving some of the most scenic coastline that our majestic United States has to offer.

Wednesday May 12, 2021

The tour began with a technical session on the “Horrors of Brake Fade”. After the session there was a drive to the Point Loma Lighthouse and a visit to Fort Rosecrans Cemetery under the leadership of Marjo Miller. The night ended with a Welcome Dinner at the Southwestern Yacht Club.

Co-Chairs Marjo Miller & Catherine Woolsey

Thursday May 13, 2021-Salute to America

Thursday began with a complimentary photo shoot of Packards against the San Diego skyline and bay. After the photo shoot the Packards, under the leadership of Steve Ross, proceeded to the 1.5 hour Hornblower “Best of San Diego Bay Tour”. Once the tour was over, the participants walked to the USS Midway Museum Tour.

Friday May 14, 2021-Blue Pacific Coast Drive

Participants departed for their coast drive led by Tim Pestotnik. It began with a visit to the Fort Rosecrans Cemetery, proceeding to Mount Soledad to visit the Veterans Memorial and take in the fabulous view of La Jolla, a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway, a drive through Rancho Santa Fe and back to the Coast Highway ending in Encinitas for lunch at the Encinitas Cafe. Once back at the hotel the cars gathered across from the hotel for a car show for locals to enjoy “Packards on the Promenade”.

Saturday May 15, 2021- Centennial San Diego Drive

Participants headed for a drive to the San Diego Automotive Museum led by Catherine Woolsey via Presidio Park, Old Town, through the neighborhoods of Hillcrest and Bankers Hill then across the bridge past the California Tower and through Spanish Colonial Balboa Park. There was room for fourteen cars to park in front of the automotive museum. Dave Stall of KUSI San Diego greeted our members to interview our participants about their cars. After the visit to the museum the tour continued to Coronado for a day of sightseeing and leisure. The night ended with the farewell dinner poolside at the Island Palms Hotel. Trophies for the car show winners were presented.

First Place Trophy, Tom O’Hara 1934 Convertible Sedan

Sunday May 16, 2021-“One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” Drive

Our final day ended with a drive to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, led by Richard Schauer. After the visit, it was time to say goodbye to our old and new friends and head home with many good memories of beautiful San Diego. Good Friends. Good Times.