2008 MotoGP Cannery Row Street Party
All of downtown Monterey's coastline, from the Old Fisherman's Wharf, to Cannery Row takes on a carnival-like atmosphere when the Central Coast plays host to the wildly popular international MotoGP and AMA Superbike events each year in mid July. At the epicenter is the Spindrift Inn which has become ground-zero for the weekend-long festivities.
Each year since the MotoGP event first came to Laguna Seca, tens of thousands of motorcyclists flood into Monterey from around the country. All weekend long, Cannery Row's streets are closed off to car traffic, and thousands of motorcycles - from tricked-out race 'crotch-rockets' to chromed-out Harley choppers - line the street, and become part of the entertainment.
Photos from the 'Row'
The object is to see, and be seen, but with so much to look at, and everybody trying to outdo each-other, its hard to notice everything. If you like looking at motorcycles, and you like crowds, this is the place to be.
This is definitely not John Steinbeck's depression-era Cannery Row. MotoGP weekend festivities are about as close as Monterey gets to New Orleans' Bourbon Street during Marti Gras. With plenty of the three 'B's' on hand - beer, bikes, and babes - the party still manages to maintain an air of respectability, with a family-friendly vibe.
Cannery Row's Custom Bikes & Vendors
From Friday afternoon, until late Sunday night, you can see just about every type on two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle you can think of; from customized racebikes, to pimped-out sport bikes, radical choppers, scooters, chromed-out cruisers, and touring bikes.
Radical custom chopper from Nickell's Customs in Lodi
Many of the major after-market sport and racing parts suppliers are on hand to show off their wares.
Two Brothers Exhaust display on the 'Row'
Pimp your ride! The only limits are your imagination, budget, and sensibilities.
Back To: 2007 Laguna Seca US MotoGP
Monterey Cannery Row Hotel Links
Spindrift Inn on Cannery Row
Monterey Plaza Hotel on Cannery Row
Monterey Bay Inn on Cannery Row
