The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance doesn’t start until August 12, but the buzz is already building.

Two bits of news have leaked about the Concorso Italiano, a satellite event that takes place this year at the Laguna Seca golf course. Just as he takes over NBC’s 10pm-11pm timeslot, MSN Autos reports that Jay Leno will receive the La Bella Macchina award for his contributions to the world of classic cars. The star car for the Concorso Italiano, reports USA Today, will be the Alfa 8C Competizione, a car created collaboratively by big Italian names Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati. How sexy is the Alfa 8C Competizione? Check out this video. (The words are in French, but do you really need to know what they’re saying?)

Prefer cars with a British heritage? Rumors are swirling that the new Bentley Arnage will debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Meanwhile, the Examiner reports that Carmel’s Concours on the Avenue will be a one day event this year, falling on Tuesday, August 11.

Octane has a sneak peek at the Pebble Beach RetroAuto poster by Tim Layzells, and reports that Barry Rowe will create the poster for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and Peter Hearsey will create the poster for the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance.

Big Sur’s Bixby Bridge was just named one of the greatest bridges in the world by Forbes Traveler!

Seven hotels in Monterey County were named to this year’s Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. Big Sur’s Gold List hotels are the Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Inn and Spa, while Pebble Beach had an amazing three hotels on the list: the Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero, and the Lodge at Pebble Beach. Carmel’s L’Auberge Carmel made the list, as did Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge. Congratulations to all the winners!

The sea lions are coming! The sea lions are coming!

Monterey Bay’s sea lions have taken over Monterey harbor. You can see them in the water, on the rocks, on the ramps, the beaches and the piers. The city of Monterey shot this quick (and utterly adorable) video. Watch it, and then come on down and see them for yourself!