CAR EVENTS – SOCAL CALENDAR
SoCal Car Events 2026–2027: The Complete Calendar of Supercar, Exotic & Luxury Car Shows
Updated May 2026 – 9 min read
If you live for the sight of a Pagani parked next to a Ferrari, or you want to see what a six-figure Cars & Coffee actually looks like, Southern California is your playground. Below is our curated guide to the once- or twice-a-year special events worth blocking off — concours d’elegance, world-class auctions, marquee auto shows, and street races where the world’s rarest machines come out to play.
Also see Looking for weekly Cars & Coffee meets instead? See our complete guide to Cars & Coffee in Los Angeles & SoCal →
Greater Los Angeles
May 16, 2026 — Fast Lane Drive X Sunset GT — Los Angeles Car Show, Fairfax District, Los Angeles. The biggest hypercar collaboration on the SoCal calendar in 2026 — Fast Lane Drive, the international members-only exotic car club, joins forces with Sunset GT, the O’Gara-presented hypercar gathering, for a one-day showcase at 125 Fairfax Ave. Over 150 of the world’s most exclusive supercars and hypercars expected. Access is strictly by application and approval only — for both display vehicles and spectators. Submit via fastlanedrive.com or email [email protected].
May 21, 2026 — Petersen Automotive Museum: World-Class — 100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Exhibit Opening Reception, Los Angeles. The Petersen’s marquee 2026 exhibit launch celebrates a century of Mercedes-Benz design, racing, and luxury innovation. The Petersen also anchors L.A.’s rolling car-culture calendar with brand-themed cruise-ins year-round (BMW, Italian, Porsche, Japanese, All American). About 8 miles west of Downtown LA.
June 14, 2026 — San Marino Motor Classic, Lacy Park, San Marino. A premier concours-level exhibition in the San Gabriel Valley showcasing roughly 350 collector cars — pre-war roadsters, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, Porsches, and the great luxury automobiles of the 1950s and ’60s. Saturday gala (Symphony of Cars benefiing cancer support); Sunday show field. About 10 miles northeast of Downtown LA.
June 21, 2026 — Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, Beverly Hills. The 31st annual Father’s Day tradition closes Rodeo Drive between Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a free, day-long display of hypercars, vintage classics, and modern exotics. About 12 miles west of Downtown LA — the right car turns the drive itself into part of the show.
August 30, 2026 — Petersen All Porsche Cruise-In, Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles. The Petersen’s annual brand-themed Porsche gathering on the iconic rooftop. Air-cooled, water-cooled, GT cars, 918 Spyders — Porsche faithful from across SoCal converge. About 8 miles west of Downtown LA.
November 20–29, 2026 — LA Auto Show, LA Convention Center, Downtown LA. The biggest auto show on the West Coast — roughly 1,000 vehicles over ten days. Galpin Hall and partner exotic displays put hypercars, supercars, and luxury SUVs front and center, alongside global debuts and concept cars from nearly every manufacturer.
April 16–18, 2027 — Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Long Beach. America’s #1 street race brings IndyCar, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge, and Porsche Carrera Cup to the Long Beach circuit. The paddock parking lot is one of the best impromptu supercar shows in the country. About 25 miles south of Downtown LA.
May 2027 (date TBA) — Concorso Ferrari, Old Pasadena. Pasadena closes Colorado Boulevard only two days a year: the Rose Parade and Concorso Ferrari. Presented by the Ferrari Club of America Southwest Region, the show fills two blocks of historic Route 66 with 100 of the finest vintage and contemporary Ferraris. Free, family-friendly, and the only way to see this many Prancing Horses outside Maranello. About 12 miles northeast of Downtown LA.
Orange County
May 23, 2026 — The California Showcase, IKEA Costa Mesa. Presented by The Exotics Network (TEN) and Morning Car Club, this is the public-facing grand finale of the second-annual California Grand Tour — a private members-only hypercar rally that ends with a free, RSVP-only showcase at “California’s most iconic IKEA.” Expect 25 hypercars and 100+ supercars, plus a “legendary unicorn” reveal teased as a long-awaited return to California. About 40 miles south of Downtown LA.
June 6–7, 2026 — Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance, Huntington Beach. The 40th edition of this two-day concours runs on the lawns of Huntington Beach Central Park. Saturday spotlights restomods, hot rods, customs, “Great Britains in the Park” (Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin), and Japanese classics; Sunday features marques (Ferrari, Ford, Shelby Cobra, Corvette) and motorcycles. About 35 miles south of Downtown LA.
August 23, 2026 — Dana Point Classic Car Show, Dana Point. 325 custom and classic cars stretched along Del Prado Avenue in the Dana Point Lantern District. Broader than pure exotica — but reliably attracts top-tier European luxury and rare collector cars from coastal Orange County’s deep enthusiast community. Free for spectators, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. About 60 miles south of Downtown LA.
September 25–28, 2026 — Orange County Auto Show, Anaheim Convention Center. OC’s annual manufacturer-led auto show. Beyond test drives and new-model debuts, the duPont REGISTRY LIVE Exotic Gallery is the headline attraction — a multi-million-dollar collection of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, and other luxury marques under one roof. About 30 miles southeast of Downtown LA.
April 2027 (date TBA) — Goodguys Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, Del Mar Fairgrounds. The largest hot-rod, custom, and classic-car gathering on the SoCal coast — thousands of vehicles, indoor show classes, AutoCross racing, the Lowrider Palace, and a Saturday-afternoon Shootout. Skews classic and resto-mod, but the high-end builds regularly push into six- and seven-figure territory. About 100 miles south of Downtown LA.
April 2027 (date TBA) — Air|Water, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa. Curated by the team behind Luftgekühlt, Air|Water is the definitive Porsche show in the U.S. — 800+ vehicles spanning early air-cooled classics to factory-fresh GT cars, plus a live Broad Arrow auction and 50+ exhibitors. The 2026 edition hosted the U.S. debut of the 911 GT3 S/C. About 40 miles south of Downtown LA.
San Diego
January 1–4, 2027 — San Diego International Auto Show, San Diego Convention Center. San Diego’s largest annual new-vehicle showcase, with debut models, EV test track, hybrid and fuel-cell displays, and a dedicated exotics area. A January staple for getting eyes on the year’s new luxury and performance metal before it reaches dealerships. About 120 miles south of Downtown LA.
April 2027 (date TBA) — La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla. A three-day weekend rated among America’s top concours events, set on the oceanfront at La Jolla Cove. 150+ judged automobiles, a Friday VIP Soirée, the Saturday Tour d’Elegance, the free Saturday-night Porsches & Power on Prospect (legendary Porsches, exotic supercars, hypercars lining Prospect Street), and the Sunday Concours Field. About 120 miles south of Downtown LA.
Coachella Valley / Inland Empire
November 20–22, 2026 — McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car Auction, Palm Springs Convention Center. A Palm Springs institution since 1985 and one of the most respected collector-car auctions in the U.S. — 600+ cars crossing the block, including regular consignments of Ferraris, Porsches, Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and modern exotics. Twice yearly (February + November). About 110 miles east of Downtown LA.
Worth the Drive North (Central & Northern CA)
Technically not Southern California — but for SoCal collectors, the road trip up Pacific Coast Highway is often half the appeal. These are the marquee Central- and Northern-California events that LA, OC, and SD enthusiasts regularly travel for.
May 29–31, 2026 — Velocity Invitational, Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma County. A motorsports and lifestyle festival where historic Formula 1, NASCAR legends, Le Mans prototypes, Formula DRIFT, and modern hypercars share the paddock. A live Cars & Bids auction joined the program in 2026, alongside celebrity drivers (Yuki Tsunoda headlined). Roughly an 8-hour drive from LA.
June 28, 2026 — Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame. The 70th-anniversary edition of the longest continuously-running concours in the world — established 1956, pre-dating Pebble Beach. Pre-war classics, post-war exotics, and modern hypercars on the fairways of a Bay Area peninsula golf course. About 380 miles north of Downtown LA.
August 12–16, 2026 — Monterey Car Week & Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Monterey Peninsula. The biggest week of the year for the global collector-car world. The signature events:
- Motorlux — Wednesday, Aug 12, Monterey Jet Center. The Car Week opener: rare cars and aircraft on the tarmac. motorlux.com
- Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion — Aug 12–15, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The premier vintage racing event in North America — historic Formula 1, Le Mans-winning prototypes, and ’60s Trans-Am cars actually racing on the Corkscrew. 2026 featured marque: Japanese motorsport. weathertechraceway.com
- Werks Reunion — Friday, Aug 14, Monterey Pines Golf Course. The Porsche Club of America’s premier event — 800+ Porsches from air-cooled classics to GT3 RSs and 918 Spyders. 2026 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 924 and transaxle Porsches. werksreunion.com
- The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering — Friday, Aug 14, Quail Lodge, Carmel. Presented by The Peninsula; 2026 features Route 66, the Lamborghini Diablo, Japanese GTs, and the Ferrari F40. peninsula.com
- Concorso Italiano — Saturday, Aug 15, Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course, Seaside. The 41st edition; 1,000+ Italian cars paired with Italian fashion and cuisine. internationalcarweek.com/concorso-italiano
- Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — Sunday, Aug 16, 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links. The 75th-anniversary edition. The most prestigious car event in the world; Best of Show is a global automotive milestone. pebblebeachconcours.net
The week also hosts three of the most important collector-car auctions in the world — collectively clearing hundreds of millions in sales annually. Where Ferrari 250 GTOs, McLaren F1s, and Bugatti Royales actually change hands:
- Gooding Christie’s Pebble Beach Auctions — Aug 14–15 at Parc du Concours, Pebble Beach. The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours. goodingco.com
- RM Sotheby’s Monterey — Aug 13–15 at the Portola Hotel and Monterey Conference Center. Nearly three decades of record-setting collector-car results. rmsothebys.com
- Bonhams|Cars Monterey Auction — Aug 13 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Note: relocated from Quail Lodge in 2026 — first venue change in 29 years, now timed to coincide with the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. cars.bonhams.com
About 320 miles north of Downtown LA; the standard SoCal play is to drive up PCH through Malibu and Santa Barbara, overnight, then Highway 1 into Carmel.
Annual; date varies year-to-year — Supercars by the Sea, Avila Beach Golf Resort, Central Coast. The 2026 edition was held May 3. Organized by Central Coast Supercars in partnership with CenCal Euros, German Performance, and Cal Poly Racing — the Avila Beach Golf Resort lawn turns into a curated supercar field for the day. Halfway between LA and the Bay Area, this is the ideal lunch stop on a coastal road trip. About 200 miles north of Downtown LA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest car show in Southern California?
The LA Auto Show, held each November at the LA Convention Center, is the largest auto show on the West Coast — roughly 1,000 vehicles over ten days. For pure exotic and hypercar density, La Jolla Concours d’Elegance and the Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance pack the highest concentration of six- and seven-figure cars.
When is Monterey Car Week 2026?
Monterey Car Week 2026 runs August 12–16, with the 75th-anniversary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 16. The week includes Motorlux (Aug 12), Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Aug 12–15), Werks Reunion and The Quail (Aug 14), and Concorso Italiano (Aug 15) — all on the Monterey Peninsula.
Are most SoCal car shows free to attend?
Many are. Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, Concorso Ferrari Pasadena, Dana Point Classic Car Show, and the Saturday-night Porsches & Power on Prospect at La Jolla Concours are all free for spectators. Larger events like the LA Auto Show, La Jolla Concours Sunday field, and Pebble Beach Concours require paid admission, typically $30–$500 depending on the package.
What's the difference between a concours d'elegance and a car show?
A concours d’elegance is a judged competition — cars are scored on authenticity, restoration quality, and presentation by experienced judges, with a Best of Show awarded. A car show or cruise-in is typically un-judged: owners display their vehicles without formal scoring. Concours events are far more curated and historically prestigious.
How early should I book tickets for premium SoCal car events?
For major events with limited capacity — La Jolla Concours, Pebble Beach Concours, The Quail — book six to twelve months in advance. Hotels in Monterey, La Jolla, and Beverly Hills sell out 12+ months before major event weekends. Free public events like Rodeo Drive Concours and Dana Point require no advance ticketing.
Can I rent an exotic or luxury car to attend SoCal car events?
Yes you can rent an exotic or supercar — this is one of the best ways to experience SoCal car culture, especially for events where the right car is part of the show itself. A Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, or Bentley turns Rodeo Drive Concours, La Jolla Concours, or a Pacific Coast Highway drive up to Monterey Car Week into a complete experience.
When is the LA Auto Show 2026?
The 2026 LA Auto Show runs November 20–29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The ten-day event features global vehicle debuts, manufacturer test drives, the Galpin Hall exotic gallery, and dedicated hypercar, supercar, and luxury SUV displays from nearly every major automaker.
Which SoCal car events are best for hypercar enthusiasts?
For pure hypercar density, the top SoCal events are Sunset GT at the Petersen Museum (presented by O’Gara Beverly Hills), Air|Water in Costa Mesa (Porsche-focused), the Fast Lane Drive X Sunset GT show, and The California Showcase at IKEA Costa Mesa. La Jolla’s Porsches & Power on Prospect rounds out the list.
Event dates and details verified as of May 2026. Event schedules can shift; always confirm via the official link before traveling.
