We were thrilled to finally attend the West Coast Lotus Meet, hosted by Golden Gate Lotus Club, and it truly exceeded our expectations! Jon and I have long wanted to join this event, but in the past, scheduling conflicts, distance, and not owning a street-legal Lotus kept us away. To be clear, you don’t need to own a Lotus to participate. The Golden Gate Lotus Club is incredibly inclusive, welcoming all makes and models. However, there’s something extra special about fully immersing yourself in the activities when you have a Lotus to share the experience with.
What made this event even more special was our decision to close the shop and bring our entire team along to join the experience. We had an incredible time!
Before we get into the details, here are some quick facts about this year’s event:
Held on Oct 17-20, 2024 at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa
109 registrants & 52 Lotus cars (according to Kiyoshi Hamai, GGLC)
Day 1: Registration & Welcome Dinner
Our team, along with a few friends, gathered at the shop and embarked on a group drive to the resort. Along the way, we decided to stop for lunch at the Oxbow Market in Napa. However, there was one small detail we hadn't considered: how to keep an eye on our track Lotus, which doesn’t have windows!
Arriving at the resort
After a couple of hours on the road, we finally arrived at the resort. The drive down to the lobby was breathtaking, offering stunning views of the lake along the way. We reserved suites in the Moon building, featuring a cozy bedroom, a spacious living room, a dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen. Best of all, each suite had a large balcony offering gorgeous views of the lake.
registration & welcome dinner
We made our way to the registration area, where we received our badges, a bundle of goodies, and, most importantly, plenty of drinks and snacks to enjoy.
The welcome dinner took place by the pool, offering us the added treat of expansive views of the lake.
PC: Emma Lai
Day 2: Scenic Drive, Funkhana, & Drive-In Movie
Scenic drive & lunch
The WCLM kicked off with an unforgettable drive. The day began with us picking up our delicious boxed lunches before lining up alongside the other Lotus cars ready to hit the road.
GGLC events are always well-organized and enjoyable. For this scenic drive, we were provided with detailed directions and even some fun trivia questions to keep things entertaining along the way.
Numerous drivers paused along the highway to take in the breathtaking views.
Everyone gathered at Navarro River Redwoods State Park for lunch, where we enjoyed the fresh air, the beach, and the soft sand.
funkhana
After an incredibly fun and lengthy drive, we returned to the resort to get some rest. Then, we headed to the Funkhana event, which was conveniently hosted right on the resort grounds. It was our first time participating in this type of event, and we had a blast!
The WCLM Funkhana event featured three exciting challenges:
Gravity Race – Participants started their cars from a dead stop and coasted downhill in neutral, competing for the fastest time.
Blindfolded Parking Challenge – Drivers were blindfolded and relied entirely on instructions from their passengers to park.
Frisbee Toss – Participants tossed frisbees from their cars, aiming to land them in designated targets.
Each event was as unique as it was entertaining!
Drive-in movie & Dinner
We wrapped up a long and eventful day with a delightful dinner by the lake at the resort, followed by a cozy drive-in movie. It was the perfect way to unwind and relax.
For the opening short film, we volunteered to showcase our documentary about Tom Tang’s first experience tackling Pike’s Peak.
Day 3: Concours, Drive & Banquet
Concours
We were thrilled to participate in the Concours, bringing along both our track Exige and the Evora 400. Of course, we had to make sure the cars were spotless first! A big thank you to GGLC for setting up a convenient washing station.
Held at the scenic Library Park in Lakeport, the event featured a stunning lineup of Lotus cars against the backdrop of expansive lake views. What could be better?!
Passed the limbo test!
PC: Emma Lai
Before the event wrapped up, a delicious catered lunch was served in the park. We just couldn’t get enough of the stunning lake views as we dined.
Scenic Drive
After the Concours, participants gathered for a scenic drive to Lake Berryessa. Feeling a bit tired from the previous day’s drive, our team decided to skip this one and take some time to rest before the evening banquet. We loaded up the track Exige and headed back to the resort to recharge.
Banquet at Boatique Winery
Feeling refreshed, we drove to Boatique Winery for the banquet dinner. The venue was beautiful!
PC: Emma Lai
Once again, the GGLC team outdid themselves, organizing such a wonderful event. The food was absolutely fantastic. Between the food & wine, the breathtaking views, and the awards ceremony, it was truly an unforgettable evening.
Day 4: Autocross & Farewell Lunch
On the final day of WCLM, GGLC hosted an autocross event right at the resort. It was well-organized, and everyone had an absolute blast. The event concluded with lunch, accompanied by awards and closing remarks.
PC: Emma Lai
Final Thoughts
The GGLC WCLM crew truly knows how to put on an incredible event. Each day was thoughtfully organized, offering something unique and exciting. Four days filled with exhilarating drives, stunning scenic venues, delicious food and drinks, quality time with our team, and connecting with other wonderful Lotus enthusiasts—it was, without a doubt, our favorite team trip to date.
We’re already hoping to make this an annual tradition! A huge thank you to the GGLC team for all their hard work in creating such an unforgettable experience.