What to Do During Monterey Car Week and Where to Stay

Monterey Car Week brings rare automobiles and global collectors to the Monterey Peninsula every year. In 2026, the celebration returns Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 16. It fills Monterey, Pebble Beach, Carmel, and nearby roads with vintage and polished performance.

Although this is car week, it has a romantic element. Chrome catches the sunlight. Engines hum through town, creating their own soundtrack. Collectors compare histories, not just horsepower. Visitors move between lawns, paddocks, auctions, and dinners, each stop adding another layer to the trip.

Old Monterey Inn offers a fitting home base for it all. Our historic English Tudor mansion feels connected to the same spirit of craftsmanship. Carved woodwork, copper details, stained glass, and elegant rooms create a setting that feels personal, cultured, and quietly special.

The celebration begins Friday, August 7, with the Monterey Car Week Kickoff on Alvarado Street. This free downtown gathering places historic race cars right in the heart of Monterey. Drivers are on hand, music adds energy, and the atmosphere stays welcoming.

That opening night sets the tone, giving visitors an easy first taste before the schedule expands.

The next transition is on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the Monterey Pre-Reunion and Corkscrew Hillclimb at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. More than 200 historic race cars practice, qualify, and race across the weekend. The Hillclimb sends drivers up the famed Corkscrew in reverse, creating a rare motorsport spectacle.

By Monday, the schedule begins to spread across Monterey County. Monterey Car Week becomes less like one event and more like a living museum. Each day offers a new way to appreciate design, engineering, and history.

The Automobilia Collectors Expo is ideal for anyone drawn to the details. Vintage posters, rare signs, model cars, badges, and art pieces tell smaller stories within automotive culture. It’s a strong stop for travelers who love beautiful objects and old-world collecting.

Monterey British also brings a charming change of pace. Classic and modern British marques gather on a lawn framed by the Santa Lucia Mountains. The event is free and dog-friendly, giving it an easy, afternoon feel.

Porsche enthusiasts have their own moment Monday evening. The Porsche Monterey Classic brings vintage and modern models together, along with music, food trucks, artisans, and drinks. It feels less formal than some gatherings, yet still full of style.

Tuesday and Wednesday add more movement to Car Week. Rally events send beautiful cars through Monterey County, Laguna Seca, and Highway 1. These drives remind visitors that the Peninsula is not only a backdrop, but it’s part of the pleasure.

That matters when building an itinerary. A thoughtful Car Week trip needs space between headline events. Breakfast in the garden, a quiet hour in your suite, or an unhurried dinner can make the week feel richer.

Monterey Car Week rewards visitors who balance the schedule. A full day at the races can pair well with a relaxed evening at the inn. A morning among collectibles can lead to an afternoon in Carmel. A major ticketed event feels even better when the day around it has room to breathe.

Wednesday also brings the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Laguna Seca turns into a museum in motion, with historic race cars competing as intended. The sound alone is memorable. The setting adds another layer, especially for guests who enjoy heritage and performance together.

Thursday through Saturday bring the week into full stride. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion continues with qualifying, racing, exhibitions, and paddock moments. More than 400 historic cars are expected throughout the event, creating a spectacular range of eras and marques.

Friday adds Werks Reunion Monterey, a favorite for Porsche devotees. Rare classics and current models share the field, giving guests a close look at Porsche design across generations. The event is free, which makes it appealing for flexible itineraries.

Saturday offers even more choices. The Rolex races continue, while other events across the region showcase Italian design, exotic cars, and collector culture. At its best, Monterey Car Week feels like a conversation across decades. Brass-era elegance, postwar speed, modern supercars, and future concepts all share the same stage.

Sunday, August 16, brings the iconic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The 2026 event marks the 75th edition, adding significance to an already legendary gathering. The Concours is the week’s grand finale, where style, provenance, restoration, and rarity meet on one famous lawn.

Concours Village also adds approachable ways to enjoy the day. Visitors can browse forums, displays, Ride & Drive opportunities, and memorabilia. It gives the final day a broader festival feeling around the main event.

After a full day at Pebble Beach, returning to Old Monterey Inn feels cozy. The inn’s romantic rooms and suites offer warmth after the crowds. Historic details, refined décor, and quiet corners bring the pace back down without losing the magic.

Monterey Car Week invites travelers into a world of beauty, history, and extraordinary machines. Old Monterey Inn adds its own sense of occasion to the trip. Settle into a charming suite, enjoy the character of our Tudor mansion, and make your time in Monterey memorable. Book today!

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