Every August, California transforms into the beating heart of the automotive world. For one spectacular week, the Golden State’s coastlines and city streets rumble with the sound of vintage racers, ultra-rare exotics, and next-generation concept cars. Monterey Car Week—arguably the most prestigious automotive gathering in North America—takes center stage, but it’s not alone. From the sun-drenched beaches of Dana Point to the historic roads of Pacific Grove, California is bursting with events for collectors, casual car lovers, and motorsport fans alike.

If you’ve been thinking about making the pilgrimage, here’s everything you need to know about California’s biggest car week of the year—including the can’t-miss Monterey highlights, insider tips, and other must-see shows across the state.

Why August Belongs to California Car Culture

Monterey Car Week began decades ago as a small concours gathering and vintage race event. Today, it’s an international celebration of automotive excellence, attracting collectors, manufacturers, celebrities, and media from every corner of the globe. Hotels sell out months in advance, restaurants extend hours to accommodate the influx of visitors, and the coastal roads become a moving museum of automotive history.

But the magic doesn’t stop in Monterey. Northern and Southern California also host community car shows, themed exhibitions, and casual meets that bring together enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you’re chasing multi-million-dollar auction cars or enjoying a Main Street classic show, there’s something here for everyone.

Monterey Car Week 2025: The Main Event

A Legacy of Excellence

Set against the backdrop of the Monterey Peninsula’s rugged coastline, Monterey Car Week has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Beyond the shimmering chrome and perfectly restored bodywork, the event is about heritage, craftsmanship, and the future of mobility. It’s where Ferrari test drivers mingle with Porsche engineers, and where collectors quietly broker deals for cars that will never be advertised publicly.

For 2025, expect a record number of global debuts, including electric hypercars, reimagined classics, and one-off coachbuilt creations. The week’s energy is unmatched—every corner of Carmel, Monterey, and Pebble Beach becomes part of the show.

Day-by-Day Monterey Car Week Schedule (Aug 13–17, 2025)

Wednesday, August 13

• Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Day 1) – Historic racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, featuring rare GT and Formula cars tackling the iconic Corkscrew.
  
• The Little Car Show – Pacific Grove’s seaside streets fill with microcars, minis, and quirky classics.
  
• Automobilia Collectors Expo – The go-to destination for rare automotive art, literature, and memorabilia.
  
• Motorlux – An elegant evening at Monterey Jet Center pairing exotic cars with private aircraft, fine wine, and culinary creations.
  

Thursday, August 14

• Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance – Concours entrants parade along the Pacific Coast Highway, offering spectators a moving preview of Sunday’s competition.
  
• Legends of the Autobahn – BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi in a German-engineering showcase.
  
• Ferrari Owners Club Concours – A sea of scarlet and prancing horses.
  
• Prancing Ponies Women’s Car Show – Celebrating women in the automotive world with unique vehicles and networking.
  
• Pebble Beach Classic Car Forum & RetroAuto – Educational panels and rare parts/accessory shopping.
  
• RM Sotheby’s Auction (Opening Night) – The start of the high-stakes bidding wars.
  

Friday, August 15

• Werks Reunion – Porsche enthusiasts gather to admire air-cooled legends and modern 911s alike.
  
• The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – One of the most exclusive tickets in the automotive world, with gourmet food, champagne, and the rarest cars imaginable.
  
• Concorso Italiano – A sprawling celebration of Italian design, from Lamborghinis to Lancias.
  
• Concours d’Lemons – A tongue-in-cheek display of automotive oddities and “worst-of-the-best” cars.
  

Saturday, August 16

• Exotics on Broadway – Downtown Seaside closes its streets for hypercars, supercars, and tuner builds. Free to attend, it’s a crowd favorite.
  
• Final Day of Rolex Motorsports Reunion – More vintage racing action at Laguna Seca.
  
• Bonhams & Gooding & Company Auctions – Major collector sales with global attention.
  

Sunday, August 17

• Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – The crown jewel of Monterey Car Week. Only the world’s most immaculate and historically significant cars compete for the coveted Best of Show trophy.
  

Spotlight: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Since 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours has been the ultimate stage for automotive perfection. Cars are judged not just for beauty but for historical accuracy, preservation, and rarity. This year’s field includes:

• A restored Aston Martin rescued from a Liverpool garage, now a Best in Show contender.
  
• A Ferrari F40 LM with legendary racing pedigree.
  
• A Porsche 911R—one of the rarest 911 variants ever built.
  

For collectors, winning here isn’t about money—it’s about legacy.

The Auctions: Where Records Are Made

Monterey’s auction week is famous for setting world record prices. RM Sotheby’s, Bonhams, and Gooding & Company all present once-in-a-lifetime offerings. In 2025, expect fierce bidding on:

• Dodge Hemi Daytona muscle legends
  
• Coachbuilt Ferraris with racing provenance
  
• One-off concept cars from the 1970s and 1980s making a collector comeback
  

Insider tip: Even if you’re not bidding, these auctions are an incredible way to see ultra-rare cars up close.

Beyond Monterey: Other California Car Events This Month

Sheriff’s Office Annual Car Show – August 16, Solano County

A family-friendly event in Vallejo, with a mix of classics, customs, and community pride. A relaxed counterpoint to Monterey’s intensity.

August Summer Nights Classic Car Show – August 22, Vallejo

Downtown Vallejo transforms into a street party with live music, food vendors, and vintage rides.

Dana Point Classic Car Show – August 24, Southern California

Set along Del Prado Avenue with ocean breezes, hundreds of classics, customs, and muscle cars draw enthusiasts from across SoCal.

Insider Tips for Attending Monterey Car Week

1. Plan Parking in Advance – Many events offer shuttles; arrive early for street parking.
   
2. Mix Free & Ticketed Events – Enjoy open-access shows like Exotics on Broadway alongside premium experiences like The Quail.
   
3. Book Dining Early – Monterey’s best restaurants fill weeks ahead—consider lunch reservations to avoid dinner rushes.
   
4. Pack Layers – Coastal weather swings from foggy mornings to sunny afternoons.
   
5. Wear Comfortable Shoes – You’ll walk more than you expect between displays.
   

Where to Stay, Eat, and Unwind

Luxury Hotels:

• Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur) – Breathtaking cliffside views.
  
• Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach – Steps from the golf course and Concours grounds.
  
• Inn at Spanish Bay – Coastal luxury with sunset bagpipers.
  

Dining Recommendations:

• Aubergine – Michelin-starred, intimate, and inventive.
  
• The Sardine Factory – A Monterey institution.
  
• Passionfish – Sustainable seafood with California flair.
  
• Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette – Chic seaside dining.
  

Evening Drinks:

• Alvarado Street Brewery – Craft beer for a casual night.
  
• A Taste of Monterey – Wine flights overlooking the bay.
  
• Barmel – Lively Carmel spot with live music.
  

Why Monterey Car Week Matters

Monterey isn’t just an event—it’s an economic and cultural force. Manufacturers time unveilings for this week because the world is watching. Collectors seal private deals. Charities benefit from high-profile auctions. And enthusiasts leave inspired, their phone galleries overflowing with dream machines.

In a world where the automotive landscape is shifting toward electrification, autonomy, and new ownership models, Monterey Car Week remains a testament to passion, craftsmanship, and the enduring allure of the automobile.

Final Word

Whether you’re in it for the glamour of Pebble Beach, the roar of Laguna Seca, the quirk of Concours d’Lemons, or the charm of a small-town car show, California this week is pure automotive paradise.

Key Dates:

• Monterey Car Week: Aug 13–17, 2025
  
• Sheriff’s Office Annual Car Show: Aug 16, 2025
  
• August Summer Nights Classic Car Show: Aug 22, 2025
  
• Dana Point Classic Car Show: Aug 24, 2025
  

If you can’t make it this year, mark your calendar for 2026—because in the car world, there’s nothing quite like California in August.

2025 Auctions at Car Week

Where to eat at Car Week