Tips for a first time Laguna Seca trip?

[Guaps]

My wife and I are going to Laguna Seca for the first time this year.  We are camping in Carmel and have general admission tickets Fri/Sat and grandstand seats Sunday.  We will be driving up in my truck with my Monster in the back so we can ride to/from the track on the bike.  Any tips to make this even more fun? 

Here's a couple ideas I picked up reading threads here, but I'm looking for other things I'm probably missing/forgetting:
-Bring binoculars and sit on "the hill" (I don't know where the hill is, but I'm sure I can find it) per Spidey from this thread
-Visit Ducati Island
-Go see the Corkscrew

Any other items to bring or things to see?

This is going to be awesome!!

[S4ROB]

Do you have a Ducati Island parking pass?
If not, you can get one friday morning.

[duccarlos]

It's my first time in Laguna as well.

[DanTheMan]

Get your passes for the Duc hospitality tent, free water. How? they'll have a desk at the front, show registration or key, they'll give you a pass and walk on in. Sunblock, hat for shade, water. Also free gear check

"the hill" right above T4, if you go over the top you'll be at the corkscrew. If you plan on being on the hill, umbrella for the misses, and a mat to sit on instead of the dirt.

Small Walkman radio to hear whats going on

sunglasses to check out the booth chicks

[desmoquattro]

Where in Carmel are you camping? We'll be here:
http://carmelrv.com/

[Jaman]

Cannery Row, Saturday nite - don't miss it!

[Guaps]

Thanks everyone!  Sounds like Ducati Island will solve a lot of my problems (where to put the gear, parking, etc). I'll have to head over there and get my parking pass.

We are camping at the Saddle Mountain Campground in Carmel (27625 Schulte Rd), so we are right down the road from you Desmoquattro.  We'll be sure to stop by and say hi.

Thanks for the tips about the mat and umbrella.  That's a great idea, especially for my wife. She's been asking what we could possibly be doing for three days at a race track when the actual race is only an hour long.  If I can make this a bit more comfortable for her, we'll all have more fun.   

The radio is a good idea too.  Do i need a small radio for the race Sunday if I am sitting in the grand stands, or is the audio broadcast in the seats?  I don't have a small radio like that, but I can go get one today. 

[DanTheMan]

The radio is a good idea too.  Do i need a small radio for the race Sunday if I am sitting in the grand stands, or is the audio broadcast in the seats?  I don't have a small radio like that, but I can go get one today. 

dont know, never sat in the grandstands

[SloDuc]

Just spoke with someone from the track and they said the broadcast will be on 87.9 FM.  Don't know if that's all the action or just Sunday.  Once the bikes spread out it gets a little to loud to hear the PA.

[SloDuc]

They also said No Fireworks Show   Boooo

[S4ROB]

The bikes produce a loud sound and you can't really hear the speakers at the track.

Radio, good idea

The one thing you DON'T want to miss is the fashion show

 

[desmoquattro]

They also said No Fireworks Show   Boooo

The City of Monterey is facing fiscal troubles so they canceled the annual show. And personal fireworks are banned. So forget about throwing that M80 at Christian Pfeiffer during his stunt show

[Guaps]

There has to be a firework show in Salinas or something, no?  I'll go see what I can find...

[desmoquattro]

There has to be a firework show in Salinas or something, no?  I'll go see what I can find...

I'd be surprised if there were. Cities have generally been hit hard by the downturn. But more power to ya if you find one!

[Guaps]

Short answer: you guys are right - looks like there are no firework shows in the area.

From what I've read, most of the surrounding towns don't do fireworks because everyone used to go to the Monterrey show.  I found a forum that claims there is a show in Santa Cruz that you can see from Cannery Row.  However, I couldn't find any info on the city of Santa Cruz's website confirming they had a show.  San Jose canceled their show, Salinas doesn't have one, Monterrey canceled their show, etc, etc. 

I guess the real fun is happening that night at Cannery Row anyways.