Monterey Car Week Travel Guide: Events, Hotels & Luxury Experiences

The Can't-Miss Monterey Car Week Events

Put simply, there are dozens of Car Week experiences, so it can be hard to narrow them down. We've compiled our top picks, and if you miss these, can you really say you've attended Monterey Car Week at all?

1. Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

This is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you picture Car Week in Monterey. The coveted prize from this event is the Best in Show title, and to compete, cars must be restored to the original pristine condition. The name really says it all, and the elegance is especially striking against the concours' backdrop of the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Concours showcases some of the world's rarest and most valuable collector cars. Winning Best of Show is considered one of the highest honors in the automotive world.

If it's your first time attending or you love classic cars, adding the Concours d'Elegance to your itinerary is obvious.

2. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering

While not as well-known, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is an exclusive event for a max of 200 cars held at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club. Although it's elegant here, too, the word to sum up this event is “luxury.” You'll be treated to:

• The best selection of cars: the 2026 event includes beauties like the Lamborghini Diablo and the Ferrari F40.
• Champagne to wash down the elevated cuisine
• Dance-worthy live entertainment
• A beautifully landscaped setting

Tip: The tickets sell out instantly, so sign up for the newsletter and be ready with your credit card as soon as they're released.

3. Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, treat yourself to a great view of the historic race cars competing on one of America's most iconic circuits.

This puts you in the heart of the action rather than just walking around car displays. It's worth securing tickets well before Car Week begins, especially for premium seating and hospitality options.

4. Exotics on Broadway

This free event puts hundreds of supercars and exotic vehicles on display throughout downtown Seaside. If your budget is modest, this one's a must.

Ideal for families and visitors traveling on a smaller budget.

5. Attend an Auction

Even if you have no intention of bidding, the auction previews are worth attending. Seeing multimillion-dollar collector cars up close is an experience that's difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world.

As you'd expect, the big auction houses are here: Sotheby's, Gooding Christie's, and Bonhams, among others. So if you want to leave Monterey Car Week in a new car, this is how you do it.

And, if you're not in a position to bid, it's still fun to see the cars and marvel over the final selling prices.

Best Places to Stay for Monterey Car Week

Accommodation is one of the biggest decisions you'll make, and prices rise dramatically during Car Week. Booking 6-12 months in advance isn't unusual. The spots we're about to recommend aren't huge cities, so inventory isn't exactly free-flowing.

Pebble Beach

Best for: Luxury travelers, VIP ticket holders, golfers.

Staying at Pebble Beach automatically places you at the heart of many headline events, including the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Luxury resorts, ocean views, world-famous golf courses, and five-star service make it the most prestigious place to stay. But like with most things, it's also the most expensive.

Pebble Beach Luxury hotels to check out:

• The Lodge at Pebble Beach
• The Inn at Spanish Bay
• Casa Palmero

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Best for: Couples, luxury travelers, fine dining.

The charming coastal village of Carmel has it all. Boutique hotels, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and exceptional restaurants. Reach Monterey and Pebble Beach easily (both are within a 10-minute drive), but enjoy a slightly less busy atmosphere. Emphasis on slightly.

Monterey

Best for: First-time visitors, convenience, families.

Monterey offers the widest range of accommodation, from budget-friendly hotels to upscale waterfront properties. It's centrally located for reaching almost every Car Week venue and provides easy access to Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf.

Pacific Grove

Best for: Quiet stays, scenic coastline.

Located between Monterey and Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove provides a quieter atmosphere while remaining close to the week's biggest attractions.

Flying to Monterey Car Week

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY)

This small airport is the closest to Monterey. It’s less than a 10-minute drive, so you can be enjoying downtown Monterey soon after landing. Choose this airport for:

• Good proximity to all the events
• Easy car rental pickup
• A more laid-back airport experience

For travelers looking to avoid commercial airports altogether, private jet charters offer the fastest and most convenient way to arrive for Monterey Car Week.

San Jose International Airport (SJC)

This is where most Car Week attendees land. It’s a medium-sized airport with lots of national flight options . It’s approximately 75 miles away from Monterey. Many visitors flying into San Jose or San Francisco choose to rent a car for the scenic drive to Monterey, especially if they plan to explore Big Sur, Carmel, or the Pacific Coast Highway before or after Car Week.

Many visitors choose San Jose for:

• Better flight availability
• Lower airfare
• More rental car options

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

About a two-hour drive from Monterey, SFO is the airport for international travelers. It has:

• The most international flight options
• Great rental car selection
• A good location from which to explore Northern California

Getting Around During Car Week

With multiple events spread across the coast, transportation can be a challenge. As a result, most visitors opt to rent a car . With a car rental, your plans can be flexible, and you’ll have the option to take a scenic mini road trip before and after car events:

• 17-Mile Drive (30–60 minutes)
• Big Sur (45–90 minutes)
• Carmel Valley (30 minutes)
• Santa Cruz (50 minutes)

Shuttle Services

Even if you have a car, you may want to rely on shuttle services to avoid parking woes during the major events.

• Carmel Parking – Park at Larsen Field and then hop on the free shuttle to downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.
• Pebble Beach Concours Shuttle – This “not free” service ($20 each way or $40 for unlimited trips) takes concours-goers to Pebble Beach. Use the same Carmel parking mentioned above

Driving tip: Allow considerably more travel time than GPS estimates suggest. A drive that normally takes 15 minutes can easily exceed an hour during Car Week.

Luxury Experiences Beyond Car Shows

While the cars are the main attraction, Monterey's coastal scenery, luxury resorts, and world-class food make it worth extending your stay beyond the official events.

• Pebble Beach Resorts – Putting the amazing golf and car shows aside, Pebble Beach is the ultimate in luxury vacationing. It has world-class dining and spa services, fabulous ocean views, and rooms that are the ultimate in luxury.
• Private Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley – Escape the crowds with a chauffeured wine tour through Carmel Valley's boutique wineries, many of which offer private tastings and food pairings.

• Drive a Classic Car Along Highway 1 – Instead of simply admiring vintage cars, rent one yourself. Get a classic Corvette or Mustang for scenic drives along 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, and Big Sur.
• Take a Helicopter Tour – For a completely different perspective, take a helicopter tour above the Big Sur coastline and Monterey Peninsula. Rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and world-famous golf courses look even more spectacular from the air, making it one of the area's most memorable luxury experiences.

Your Road to Monterey Starts Here

Of course, Monterey Car Week is about cars. But with everything the area has to offer, you’ll be missing out if you only stick to the main events. Carve out some time to explore Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach. And in the land of ocean views and fancy cars, use this as an opportunity to spoil yourself, because luxury is everywhere.