Pebble Beach’s 75th concours anchors a Car Week that now stretches far beyond the fairway

This year’s Car Week runs from August 7-17, marking another 11 days of automotive immensity that evolved from the world famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance which, in turn, was founded in 1950 as an aside to the Pebble Beach Road Races.

The one-day concours has taken place every year save for 1960 due to a scheduling clash and 2020 due to Covid – making the 2026 event the 75th edition.

The concours remains the jewel in the crown of this wheeled feast and sees 200 of the world’s finest and most valuable veteran, vintage and classic cars line up on the Pebble Beach golf links to be ogled by more than 15,000 spectators as leading experts examine each vehicle with forensic care before choosing the winners in a range of categories – and finally selecting the best in show.

But while concours day will always be both the climax of Car Week and the reason for its existence, the satellite events taking place during the build-up have become just as eagerly anticipated. Here are a few worth experiencing.

AUGUST 3-12 PEBBLE BEACH MOTORING CLASSIC

For those who like to make Car Week into a fortnight-long indulgence, the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic offers a 1500-mile drive that starts in Seattle and winds down the coast of the Pacific Northwest before arriving at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Of the hundreds of owners who apply to take part, only those with the best and most interesting cars are selected, with some going on to compete in the Concours proper. Spectators can see them arrive at the swish Casa Palmero hotel on Wednesday (August 12).

AUGUST 8-9 MONTEREY PRE-REUNION & CORKSCREW HILLCLIMB

This is the first on-track event of the week at Laguna Seca, with more than 300 race cars competing for two days prior to the Monterey Motorsports Reunion in a more relaxed and less-crowded environment – and the paddock is open to spectators. Sunday serves as a ‘community day’ highlighted by the Corkscrew Hillclimb in which cars race ‘reverse course’ up the infamous series of turns.

AUGUST 10-12 AUTOMOBILIA COLLECTORS EXPO, EMBASSY SUITES, MONTEREY BAY

Serious collectors converge in the hope of being first to find bargains and rarities ranging from motoring art to parts and garage mementoes. Walk the floor to discover original race posters, factory literature, vintage signs, models and curios from exhibitors that show here and here alone. This year will also see an automobilia auction on Tuesday, August 11.

AUGUST 10 PORSCHE MONTEREY CLASSIC EVENT, DEL MONTE BOULEVARD, SEASIDE

Organised by Porsche Monterey, this event is for existing enthusiasts of the marque and for those who have yet to be converted. The Heritage and Horsepower section charts the timeline of the 911, while other attractions include a line-up of current models and interactive experiences.

AUGUST 10 MONTEREY BRITISH, CARMEL VALLEY COMMUNITY PARK

Given the parlous state of the UK car industry, it’s difficult to imagine the days when hundreds of thousands of British sports cars were exported to the US – but this spectacle proves it really did happen. Organised by the Jaguar Associate Group, the show aims to celebrate the rich legacy of British motoring against a backdrop provided by the rolling hills of the Carmel Valley. Expect Jaguars, Triumphs, MGs and Aston Martins galore.

AUGUST 11 CAMP OVERCREST, CARMEL VALLEY

If nights under canvas with your trusty classic parked alongside are your thing, Camp Overcrest could be for you. Described as “a place for car enthusiasts to slow down, connect and camp with their cars”, it features glamping tents pegged-out beneath mighty oak trees and plenty of chances to chat around the fire over morning coffee. It’s billed as the ideal antidote to the velvet ropes and ultra luxury of the main Pebble Beach events – and it’s a whole lot more affordable than any of Monterey’s eye-wateringly expensive high-end hotels.

AUGUST 12 THE LITTLE CAR SHOW, LIGHTHOUSE AVENUE, PACIFIC GROVE

This is themed around micro, mini and arcane vehicles with a maximum engine capacity of 1600cc and which are at least 25 years old. Entries are capped at 100 and need to be pre-registered – but if not enough sign up, drop-ins are accepted on the day. The slightly loose rules also mean custom machines that don’t quite meet the main criteria can be entered into a special interest category, with all participants taking part in a parade along the coast road.

AUGUST 12 MOTORLUX, MONTEREY JET CENTER

Organised by Hagerty, this is the annual Car Week opening party at which up to 3000 people indulge in fine food, wines, dancing and entertainment among a selection of exotic, vintage and classic cars, aircraft and motorcycles worth hundreds of millions. If you’re not invited by one of the partner brands or a well-connected friend you’ll be paying around £1100 for a pair of tickets – but business types will appreciate the unparalleled networking opportunities…

AUGUST 13 FERRARI CONCOURS, CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Organised by the Ferrari Owners Club, this gathering of 150-plus cars offers a chance to see some of the rarest models from across the marque’s history. The event opens to the public at 10am with concours judging happening from 9.30am-2.30pm, after which prizes are awarded before closing time at 4pm. This is the concours’ fourth edition.

AUGUST 13 PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE, PORTOLA ROAD, PEBBLE BEACH

Presented by Rolex, this two-and-a-half-hour tour attracts 150 cars that are also entered for the Sunday concours and aims to prove that they are more than mere show ponies – finishers gain extra credits with the judges and, in the event of a class tie, will be selected as winners over and above cars that didn’t take part. The scenic route leaves Pebble Beach at noon, heads along 17-Mile Drive and then takes in the Big Sur before returning.

AUGUST 13 WOODIES IN THE WOODS, PACIFIC GROVE

The lush forestry of Pacific Grove makes an appropriate setting for this decidedly groovy display of wood-panelled classics from the Santa Cruz Woodies club, all of which can be viewed to the accompaniment of live music and top quality food and drink. Entry is free.

AUGUST 13 PRANCING PONIES CAR SHOW, OCEAN AVENUE, CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

There’s no denying that Monterey Car Week is a male-dominated event, so it’s good to see testosterone levels being reduced by Prancing Ponies, a display of classic, muscle, sport and electric cars owned (or co-owned) by women. The Prancing Ponies Foundation aims to help young women on the road to becoming business leaders, a cause that benefits from the show’s proceeds.

AUGUST 15 MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL, MONTEREY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS & EVENT CENTER

A vast line-up of exotic, sports, retro, muscle, race and classic cars as well as motorcycles and aircraft will be displayed around the 22-acre site. Off-road vehicles, historic 4x4s and pick-up trucks can also be seen at the back of the arena, along with an army tank collection and SWAT trucks. There’s an emphasis on new technology too, with displays of electric vehicles and green energy systems.

AUGUST 15 EXOTICS ON BROADWAY. BROADWAY AVENUE, SEASIDE

This informal car show covers five blocks on either side of Broadway Avenue to showcase products and services dedicated to everything to do with luxury and high performance cars. Expect tuners, wheel manufacturers, transport companies, painters and wrap specialists.