Self-service car wash in Seaside (Monterey)?

Do you plan on getting it that dirty? If you give it a good cleaning before you leave, you shouldn't have to vacuum it again. Use a quick detailer to clean it when you get on the lawn. It works for me and I have to drive through the bug infested central valley.

-steve

 

On Fremont in Monterey take the Casa Verde exit (turn left when heading south) go up to Fremont, turn left again its a few blocks up on the right. its got 2 covered bays and one uncovered bay. After you wash though the vacs and drying area are fully exposed so not good for a hot sunny day if you dont want spots. go late in the day and you can dry it off inside the bay as you wont have people pushing you to move. Bring all your own towels/soap etc as it has no support staff on or items for sale. if you dont have anything just a ways further down fremont on the other side is an Auto Zone. Dont go the morning of concourso as its the only one and close to concourso so you probably will have a looooooooooooooooooooooong wait.

 

There is a very good car wash on Fremont Street near downtown. I believe it's El Estero Car Wash 590 Fremont St
Monterey, CA 93940. Phone number is (831) 373-1801.

After each Concorso I stop there to get a wash. It's a very good touchless car wash that has people inside the wash with large sponges and plenty of soap.

They will do hand washes as well, but I fear w/o advance appointments they may be too busy the day of Concorso to do the hand washes.

There are tons of folks there after Concorso getting cars washed from the parking lot dust, etc.

 

The other two posts mention the car wash on Fremont. It's okay, but I personally like the one on Broadway much more. Both will get the job done, but the Broadway location is the one I always use. If I recall correctly, the Fremont location has a fairly steep approach also (but don't quote me on that).

Attached is a map I put together. I added the Embassy Suites as a reference, but the car wash on Broadway is marked in Green. The Fremont one is marked in red.

The Broadway one has 5 or 6 bays. It also has 1 or 2 truck bays, where you can get up above the car. I like it because it is more open and has more room. Generally speaking, it just seems like it's more modern and well kept. The pressure of the washers seems better also and they have a waxing feature which is kinda cool. The guy who owns it is this old fellow in a wheel chair - I forget his name, but he's a good guy. His helper is this black guy that is really nice. Anytime he sees me he says, "hey, Ferrari man". Once when I was washing my 355, he came up and said "Isn't this the new 355?"

Anyway, they have vending machines with little towels and stuff (although I generally bring my own items to take care of the car). They have powerful vacuums also.

It's located on broadway (between Del Monte and Fremont), over by the car dealerships. If you are coming into town on highway 1 south, exit for Seaside, then head down either Fremont or Del Monte. If coming down Fremont (you'll see Taco Bell on your left, go past the car dealers, then hang a right on Broadway - car wash is down on your right about 3 blocks. If heading down Del Monte, then left at the light onto Broadway and it's about 50 feet down on your left.

On the map you can see "Roberts Lake" - the big Embassy Suites is on the other side of Del Monte - across from Roberts lake. So if you find yourself lost and at Embassy suites, go north about a block and you'll see Broadway split off to the right. The car wash is on your left - 50 feet down. Can't miss it.

Then just hop back on Highway 1 and head south to get over to Carmel and the Concorso.

Ray

Behold the wonders of Paint Brush
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes, El Estero is right down town. Myself, I usually go to the one over in Seaside that provides a hand wash - I forget the name, but it's off Fremont, right where the connection over to Highway 68 is (over on the back side of Laguna seca).

The post above was for the two "wash it yourself" ones in town. El Estero and the one in Seaside use a drive through system, but I am not sure the ferrari width wheels fit. Either way, I don't want to risk the rims. I take my truck through the wash in Seaside (I like it a little more than El Estero because it's more roomy and the people seem nicer.

On the Ferrari, I take them to the "do it yourself spray" places (mentioned in the previous post) and wash it myself.

Incidentally, there is a hand wash place in Carmel, about 5 minutes from where the Concorso is held. When you turn left on Carmel Valley road (heading down to the Concorso), take your first right. It's down about a block and a half on the left. It's hidden back there, but I am pretty sure they are still in business.

Again, I prefer the do it yourself spray places, so I don't have people driving my car, etc.

Ray

 

When I was driving through Monterey ~ six months ago on a road trip, (she really needed a bath) the shop on Fremont would not do my 575 because of clearance issues.

Steve

 

I thought that El Estero does actual hand washes.

I'll find out cause I'm not putting my 360 through an automated wash. CL500 clears fine, but that's a different animal.

Ray nice work on the maps!


Here's a link to available Monterey car washes:

http://local.yahoo.com/CA/Monterey/Automotive/Car+Washes

 

thanks! El Estero does the automated wash and then had dry by default. I don't think they do a full hand wash, although it's possible. I know they have an area around back (next to the tunnel thing where the cars go through) and I have seen them working over cars back there before. If you ask them, it's possible they might wash completely by hand.

The two do-it-yourself car washes over in Seaside are fast and work well. My main concern is that I don't want to risk messing up the rims in the tracks on the drive through / then hand dry ones. Also, I'm not going to allow anyone to drive the car besides me. Additionally, some of those tracks are pretty high, and while the 360 and 355 might clear, I don't feel like taking any chances.

What I used to do is take a couple of large old bath towels with me to the do it yourself places. Spray the car (about $5 in quarters), then quickly wipe it down with the bath towels to soak up the water. Then go back with a buffing towel or something along those lines. That usually knocks it out pretty fast. Hit it with some tire spray and you are all set!

Ray

 

BTW, the full service one over in Seaside (on the corner of Canyon Del Rey and N. Fremont) probably will provide a full wash without running your car through the tunnel washer. That's the place I use and they really aim to please. The guy who owns it is real nice and very professional. You might call them and see.

I'm pretty sure they offer a detailing service of some kind, so I would guess they could pretty much do whatever you want.

Ray

 

fyi the concourso italiano isnt at quail any more its in seaside