2013 Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance

There's a way to access the ultra-ritzy Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance that doesn't involve spending $275 on a ticket. It's called the Tour d'Elegance, and it's arguably a better time than the actual show itself.

Scheduled on the Thursday before the Concours, the Tour sees the cars of the show on parade, retracing portions of 17 Mile Drive and other historic, NorCal roads. That means that not only will spectators get to see the super-exclusive cars, they'll get to hear them, too. The Tour d'Elegance remains the very best way for the general public to see some of the finest vehicles ever made, in their natural environment – on-road.

This year's tour, which took place yesterday, saw participants run from Collins Field, along some of California's scenic roads and out to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca before stopping in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The cars spent some time displayed on Ocean Avenue in Carmel, before returning to Pebble Beach. Naturally, the whole affair ended with a champagne toast.

Ace photographer Drew Phillips was staked out on both 17 Mile Drive and the PCH to get photos of all the historic machinery. Be sure to hop into the gallery and have a look.