In preparation for the 2010 U.S. Open at neighboring Pebble Beach Golf Links, Carmel Valley Ranch planned an aggressive schedule of facility expansions and upgrades to their resort, which features 181 guest suites, gardens, vineyards, hiking trails and the 18-hole Peter Dye Championship Golf Course. Our team began work in 2009 and helped the Ranch meet their 2010 timeline by providing all of the civil engineering and land surveying services. Whitson Engineers then, and subsequently as requested, contributed additional services to the Lodge and Spa, River Ranch, Swim and Tennis Center expansion, road improvements, and other site facility planning studies, suite expansions and renovations. Since this time, Whitson Engineers has provided on-going civil engineering and related land surveying services for the resort.
Photos courtesy of Carmel Valley Ranch
Popular with race enthusiasts worldwide, the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca offers the best in race and community events for its beautiful venue and prime location between the Salinas Valley and Monterey Peninsula. The 2.238-mile track, with 180 feet elevation change and 11 turns highlighted by racetracks signature turn, the Corkscrew, has been described as “one of the most important race facilities in American motor sports” and as “one of the world’s most technically challenging race venues.” Events sponsored by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) include the U.S. Sports Car Invitational, Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Monterey Sports Car Championships. Over the past thirty years, Whitson Engineers’ design and land survey team has provided on-going support to keep the raceway, campgrounds and facilities, “world class.” Notable projects include the Pit Row Suites, Trackview Pavilion, track modifications and safety improvements on every major turn of the track, paddock improvements, four pedestrian bridges, utility infrastructure improvements, and event planning and layout maps.
Today’s hotel with hacienda-style buildings and thoroughly modern amenities traces its roots to 1824 when artist and Spanish diplomat Don Estéban Munras built one of the first residences outside the walls of the old Monterey Presidio. Originally constructed with handmade adobe bricks, a portion of the original 32-inch-thick adobe walls is maintained and on view. Whitson Engineers provided underground utility locating, land surveying and utility design services for modernization of this historic hotel.
Described by Forbes as “California’s Best Boutique Motel,” this accommodation near Big Sur River was lauded for its beautiful landscape, great accommodations and relaxing environment. The original adobe motor lodge, considered modern in 1957, today has a fresh rustic-modern and green sensibility, using recycled and renewable stone, peroba wood, bamboo, resin, wool carpets and organic cotton. While being sensitive to the scenic natural environment and the motel’s preferences, our team provided land surveying services, including construction staking, record of survey, topographic surveys, and legal description preparation.
Photos courtesy of James Hall
This 45-room hotel, in the historic district near Fisherman’s Wharf and Monterey Conference Center, is also near many downtown events, such as weekly farmer’s markets, car shows, festivals and parades. Whitson Engineers provided civil engineering and land surveying services during the renovation in 2010, which—along with the hotel function—included a joint venture converting many units to condominiums and an affordable housing component.
