Last August, I found myself driving down Highway 1 toward the Monterey Peninsula for what car enthusiasts simply call “Car Week.” What started as a single concours event in 1950 has evolved into the most significant automotive gathering in North America, where million-dollar auction hammers fall, racing legends still turn laps at Laguna Seca, and you’ll find yourself casually strolling past 1 of 1 hypercars non-stop on the street. After experiencing it firsthand, I can confidently say it’s full week of pure automotive nirvana that will leave you planning your return before you’ve even left.

Consider this your definitive guide to navigating Car Week like a seasoned enthusiast. From the must-attend free events to the insider tips that’ll help you make the most of every day, we’ll break down everything you need to know to experience the full spectrum of what makes this week so special.

Welcome to Automotive Overload

The tradition first began in 1950 as an outgrowth of the Pebble Beach Road Race, and understanding this history helps explain why Monterey Car Week feels different from other automotive events. This wasn’t created by marketing departments or corporate sponsors. It grew organically from people who genuinely loved cars and wanted to celebrate them. The original Pebble Beach Road Race ran through the actual streets of the peninsula, with cars racing past the same scenic overlooks and coastal roads that visitors drive today.

What started as a small gathering of sports car enthusiasts has grown into something that transforms the entire Monterey Peninsula into a massive automotive playground. Drawing an estimated 100,000 attendees in 2024, and hundreds of millions in auction sales, this isn’t just a regional car show that got a little too big. It’s a global phenomenon that influences automotive culture worldwide. Manufacturers time their most important reveals around Car Week, auction houses save their best consignments for Monterey sales, and collectors plan their entire year around these ten days in August.

What makes it special isn’t just the sheer volume of incredible cars, it’s the accessibility. Sure, some events require serious money to attend, but many of the best experiences are completely free. You can watch million-dollar cars being auctioned off, then walk across the street and see equally impressive machines on display without spending a dime. Walking through the events, you’re not just seeing cars, you’re experiencing decades of automotive culture that have been layered on top of each other. The prestige associated with winning at Pebble Beach or setting a sale record during Car Week has real impact on car values and reputations worldwide, and that history is palpable at every event.

17-Mile Drive: The Ultimate Car Spotting Highway

If you only do one thing during Car Week beyond the official events, make it a slow cruise down the famous 17-Mile Drive. This scenic route connecting Pacific Grove to Carmel becomes an impromptu car show during the week, and it might just be the best free entertainment you’ll find.

I spent a few hours at a couple of the scenic turnouts just watching the non-stop parade of automotive excellence cruise by. Where else can you see a 1960s Ferrari 250 GT, followed by a brand-new Koenigsegg (literally driven by Christian von Koenigsegg), followed by a pristine E30 M3? The mix is incredible, and unlike the organized events, there’s something beautifully spontaneous about it. While I did stand out a bit from group I was with, it is still fun no matter what you are driving to pull over and hang with other car nerds. I kept telling myself a Peugeot is technically a “P-Car” even if it doesn’t have a Porsche badge.

The key is timing. Early morning and late afternoon seem to be prime car-spotting hours when people are moving between events. Pick any turnout with good visibility in both directions, bring a camera, and prepare to see cars you’ve only dreamed of. Don’t be afraid to chat with other car spotters, either. Some of the best conversations I had all week happened in these informal roadside gatherings. And remember, you never know who you’ll run into.

Pebble Beach Concours Parade: Grace in Motion

While the main Concours d’Elegance on Sunday requires tickets and draws massive crowds, one of the best unkept secrets is the Tour d’Elegance on Thursday morning. An exhibition of elegance in motion featuring 150+ Concours entrants seeking to prove they are roadworthy, this parade gives you a chance to see all the Concours cars actually being driven. And not just in a parking lot, they go in a massive group and travel down Highway 1 from Pebble Beach to Bixby Bridge near Big Sur. I positioned myself near the China Vista Point, but really, anywhere is a good spot. I had the front space, but the rest of the crew pulled in behind me and blocked a big chunk of the parking for us to move around and get some great photos. Again, all you really need is a car and some friends to have one of the best times you’ll ever have with cars.

There’s something magical about seeing these insane cars from all eras rolling down the scenic highway. Whether its a Camel Trophy Land Rover or an F50, these are all trailer queens for the most part, but not on this day. They’re being driven by their owners, who are proving these machines can still do what they were built to do. Each car tells a story, and seeing them in motion rather than on display adds a dimension you can’t get anywhere else. This may be the one time a year these cars actually drive. I even ran into a 106 Rallye fan who brought an Alpine A110 into the States just to drive around Monterey. Absolutely insane to do that, however, while it does show that amount of money being thrown around like nothing, it also shows the dedication and the passion car week brings. I can’t imagine what it costs to ship a car like this to and from the states with a temporary federal permit to drive it just for 2 weeks. But if you did do that, only a connoisseur would bring an A110. And yes, I did sit in it, and yes, it was one of the highlights of my week.

Legends of the Autobahn: Germanic Excellence

As someone who’s always appreciated German engineering, Legends of the Autobahn felt like a homecoming. An all-German Marque Concours displaying around 400 vehicles and a historic collection of BMWs, this free event at Pacific Grove Golf Links showcases everything from classic Mercedes and BMWs to modern Audis. The Porsches mostly attend Werks Reunion, which I’ll get to next. For now, it’s the Bavarians on display, and it didn’t disappoint.

The event began as a BMW Car Club of America gathering but has expanded to celebrate all German automotive excellence. What I love about this show is the range; you’ll find everything from pristine museum pieces to well-loved daily drivers that happen to be classics. There was even a 356 convertible with 959,000 miles on it. It’s less formal than some of the week’s events, which creates a more relaxed atmosphere where you can actually talk to owners about their cars.

The BMW section alone is worth the visit, featuring everything from E36 M3 LTWs to an actual M1, not your average BMWs at cars and coffee, that’s for sure. The Mercedes area showcases both elegant luxury machines and serious AMG performance hardware. Someone even brought a F1-inspired widebody AMG GT, which was ridiculous in all the best ways.

While the event was free, it was heavily marred by the fact that it took over an hour to get into the event, and parking was $40. Even worse that the parking attendants didn’t believe me that the guy in front of us paid for us, so we ended up paying like double for parking. My recommendation is to get there early or skip it. While it was awesome, not sure the hour wait plus $40 was worth it with so many other events going on.

Werks Reunion: Porsche Paradise

If Legends of the Autobahn is a celebration of German cars, then Werks Reunion is pure Porsche worship. Showcasing a breathtaking array of Porsches, from rare classics to current models, this event has grown from a small club gathering to one of the must-see free events of the week. Also free to attend, but a similar issue to “Legends” as parking wasn’t great. Exceptionally better, but still a wait to get in, and early arrivals are treated to a much better experience.

There were 519 cars on display at the initial event in 2014, and it’s only gotten bigger. What makes Werks Reunion special is the incredible diversity of Porsches in attendance. You’ll see everything from race-bred 935s to pristine 356 Speedsters, from modern GT3s to vintage 914s that someone clearly loves despite their reputation. Porsche even brought one of their new Le Mans prototype cars to display. Although it’s all Porsche, the diversity of Porsche at this event is only rivaled by Air/Water. The organization is impressive, with cars grouped by model and era, making it easy to trace the evolution of Porsche design and engineering. Want to see how 911s have changed over six decades? Walk the 911 corrals and watch the progression from early long-hood cars to the latest generation.

But what really sets this event apart is the passion of the attendees. These aren’t people who bought Porsches because they were expensive, these are enthusiasts who understand what makes these cars special. The conversations you’ll have here are incredible, from technical discussions about engine modifications to stories about cross-country drives and track day adventures. It’s a community celebration that happens to involve some of the world’s most desirable sports cars.

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion: Racing in the Cathedral

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a cathedral for motorsports enthusiasts, and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is like attending a religious service for gearheads. The four-day event has over 500 participants, and generally features a specific marque every year, creating a racing spectacle that’s equal parts competition and rolling museum. While I only attended the Saturday portion of the event, I could have spent days at this event easily.

This isn’t vintage racing where cars are just going through the motions. These drivers are competing, and the racing is genuine. Yes, these are million-dollar machines, but they’re being driven hard by people who understand that these cars were built to race. A lot of the drivers are current or ex-drivers, including Jeff Gordon and Patrick Long, so the competition is fierce, even if just for bragging rights mostly.

The paddock access is what makes this event truly special. Unlike modern racing where everything is behind barriers, here you can walk through the pits, see the cars up close, and talk to the teams. The level of preparation and attention to detail is incredible, but there’s also a more relaxed atmosphere than you’d find at contemporary racing events. Since everything happening on this weekend is for fun, you can feel that in the paddock. Its a little bit looser.

My favorite part was the Formula 1 display. Epic machines of all eras, most of which are F1 royalty like the Brawn GP car, Senna and Prost’s Mclarens, and ended at Max’s 2024 championship car. Cooper even brought an old support “van” that was based on a Mini Clubman. It really doesn’t get much cooler than this.

Each day features different run groups, allowing you to see everything from prewar sports cars to Can-Am monsters. The variety keeps things interesting, and the racing is surprisingly competitive. These may be historic cars, but the drivers are serious about winning, which creates the kind of authentic competition that made these machines famous in the first place. One of the best hidden benefits is that the attendees are all also aat car week. So i highly recommend a walk through the parking lots, you never know what you’ll find like this F40 that was parked next to a Mclaren 720s and a Porsche Carrera GT. I can’t even fathom the amount of money you need to have to comfortably dirt park an F40 without worry. But then again, this is car week.

Car Spotting in Carmel: Street Art on Four Wheels

Carmel-by-the-Sea transforms into an impromptu exotic car show during Car Week, and some of the best car spotting happens just walking down Ocean Avenue. The combination of wealthy car collectors and convenient parking creates a constantly changing display of automotive excellence. Again, I went with a group to get some ice cream and hang on the streets. I knew that it was a hub for exotics, but I had no idea.

What makes Carmel special for car spotting is the casual nature of it all. These aren’t cars on display, they’re transportation that happens to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. You’ll see someone getting groceries out of a Lamborghini Miura or stopping for coffee in a Ferrari F40. It’s surreal and wonderful at the same time.

The best strategy is to simply walk the main streets and keep your eyes open. Ocean Avenue, Dolores Street, and the area around Carmel Plaza tend to have the highest concentration of interesting metal. Don’t just look for the obvious exotics, either. Some of the most interesting cars are the subtle ones that knowledgeable collectors prefer, like this 356 someone painted brown, then put flames on it. Not necessarily my style, but respect for doing this to a 356. Since this “event” is lucky by nature, there really isn’t a best time to go, but I would advise going when there isn’t another major event going on. A lot of these cars are on display at places like The Quail so going when there isn’t an event increases your chances of seeing something cool.

The Events We Missed: Next Year’s Homework

Even with careful planning, it’s impossible to experience everything Car Week has to offer. One of the most overwhelming aspects of Monterey Car Week is the sheer volume of events happening simultaneously across the peninsula. With dozens of official events, countless impromptu gatherings, and exclusive private parties all competing for your attention, even the most dedicated enthusiast has to make tough choices. The week operates on multiple levels, from free public displays to ultra-premium experiences that cost thousands, creating a complex web of automotive experiences that no single person could possibly attend in their entirety. I recommend going without a full plan in case things come up, but make sure you go to your non-negotiable events.

And here are the ones I missed:

• Exotics on Broadway: A spectacular display of modern supercars and hypercars taking over Seaside’s main street. Expect massive crowds and limited parking, making it tough to get photos.
• Concours Village: The central hub featuring manufacturer displays, memorabilia dealers, and automotive art. It can feel overwhelming with a commercial focus, making it a bit sterile.
• The Paddock: A gathering combining high-end cars with luxury lifestyle experiences featuring a RADwood display. This was their first year, so the event was a bit sparse, but next year looks promising. Keep an eye on this one.
• Monterey Motorsports Festival: A newer event promising a fresh, modern approach to automotive celebration. Being relatively new means less established reputation and uncertain quality. Recent social posts made it look like a blast, featuring numerous burnout/donuts pits and a roller coaster, but were definitely aimed at a younger crowd.
• The Quail: Perhaps the most prestigious gathering of the week, featuring rare and exotic automobiles in an intimate setting. Tickets sell out almost immediately and go for $5k plus second-hand.
• Motorlux: An elegant evening event at the Monterey Jet Center combining vintage aircraft with exceptional automobiles. High ticket prices and formal dress requirements may not appeal to all enthusiasts, but it’s high on my list for the future.
• The Pebble Beach Concours: The crown jewel of Car Week, where the world’s finest collector cars compete for Best of Show. Extremely expensive tickets and massive crowds can make viewing difficult.
• Sportscar Vacationland: I definitely did not miss this event, but it was so good, I felt it warranted its own article. Check it out here.

Beyond these ticketed events, there’s an entire tier of invitation-only gatherings that create Car Week’s most exclusive layer. Private manufacturer events, collector parties, and industry receptions happen throughout the week, accessible only to those with the right connections or deep enough pockets. While frustrating to miss, this exclusivity is part of what gives Car Week its aspirational quality and keeps enthusiasts coming back year after year, hoping to work their way up the automotive social ladder.

Don’t Think About it, Just Go

After experiencing Monterey Car Week firsthand, I can say without hesitation that every serious car enthusiast needs to make this pilgrimage at least once. This isn’t just about seeing cool cars, it’s about experiencing the full spectrum of automotive culture in one concentrated week. You’re surrounded by automotive excellence to the point where it recalibrates your entire relationship with cars, and the people you’ll meet represent some of the most passionate and knowledgeable enthusiasts in the world.

The best part? Many of the most memorable experiences are completely free. Yes, some events require serious money, but you can see world-class cars, meet fellow enthusiasts from around the globe, and immerse yourself in automotive history without breaking the bank. The key is planning ahead, especially for accommodations, which book up fast and get expensive during Car Week. I highly recommend getting a group together and renting a house just outside Monterey. Just far enough to have to make a drive and roll with your crew. It makes it feel so much more fun to cruise around in your car and just see the world around you. Not to mention a split house rental is MUCH cheaper than a hotel that week.

If you’re on the fence about making the trip, stop hesitating. Book accommodations early, plan your event schedule, and prepare for an automotive experience unlike anything else in the world. Monterey Car Week will completely change how you think about cars, and the only question is whether you’re ready for that transformation.