While Monterey Car Week is famous for its high-end car shows, auctions and rallies, there is also a plethora of family-friendly events that cater to car enthusiasts of all ages. From classic car parades and interactive exhibits to kids’ zones and scenic tours, Car Week ensures that families can enjoy the festivities together. Check out our list of family-friendly events below.
If you are driving into town on HWY 101, a great pit stop to start your Car Week adventure is to visit the California Welcome Center in Salinas. The Welcome Center displays a diverse display of the history of Monterey County. You'll find informative literature and fascinating items that collectively narrate the story of the region.
Cars, Cocktails and Calamari on Old Fisherman’s Wharf, August 9-18 (Monterey)
Photo Credit: Old Fisherman’s Wharf
Old Fisherman’s Wharf is hosting a free Car Week event all week! Visitors can not only explore the wharf but participate in Photo/Short Essay Contests about their favorite car to win a prize for WharfDollars and enjoy all the festive car-themed decorations throughout. This is a great event to take the whole family to as there will be classic cars on display near the Custom House Plaza from August 14th to 17th. There will also be many restaurants on the Wharf participating in special car-themed cocktails and other promotions.
Porsche Monterey Classic Event, August 12 (Seaside)
Photo Credit: Porsche Monterey Classic
Another free event the whole family would enjoy features a showcase of classic and modern Porsche sports cars, live music, food trucks, local artisans and more. Car enthusiasts of any age have the chance to take photos of the cars and witness the evolution of the Porche’s iconic designs. This is a great way to start the eventful week and enjoy an evening of luxury automotive excellence.
Little Car Show, August 14 (Pacific Grove)
Photo Credit: Little Car Show
The Little Car Show starts Wednesday, August 14th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is free for all spectators. Families can enjoy strolling through the scenic streets of Pacific Grove filled with these multi-marque, mini, micro, steam, electric and arcane vehicles each with their own story and charm. The event also offers a raffle, awards for participating cars, an opportunity for visitors to explore the shops and eateries in the area and a chance to see all the cars cruise through Lover’s Point to Ocean View Blvd to Asilomar State Beach.
Ferrari Owners Club Concours Carmel, August 15 (Carmel-by-the-Sea)
Photo Credit: Ferrari Owners Club
Spend the day in Carmel-by-the-Sea and surround yourself with a festive atmosphere of Ferraris and Italian motorcycles! The Ferrari Owners Club Concours is a free event that expands through four blocks in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Attendees can enjoy music, live interviews and awards presentations throughout the day. Concours entrants can enjoy delicious morning coffee, pastries and a 3-course lunch with refreshments from Chef Pepe’s Little Napoli and Bar Napoli.
Concours d’Lemons, August 17 (Seaside)
Take your family to one of the most unique Car Week events in the county! The cars are competing to win the “The Worst of Show” trophy and this year introduces a new category for the “This Car Should Have Been a Lawsuit” trophy! This is a fun, free and entertaining way to experience car week and see all the whacky and creative cars.
Concorso Italiano, August 17 (Seaside)
Concorso Italiano is a premier Italian lifestyle event held at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course. Take your kids to explore the Luxury cars, elegant motorcycles, mopeds and technically advanced bicycles. This event not only provides Italian craftsmanship and design in every detail but picturesque views of Monterey Bay that all ages will enjoy. Delicious cuisine, wine and Italian music will keep the party going.
Monterey Motorsports Festival, August 17 (Monterey)
This event is held at the Monterey Fairgrounds and Event Center on Saturday, August 17th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The festival provides engaging experiences for all ages including a dedicated kid's zone filled with fun and creative activities like car painting, Obstacle Courses, Oval Race Course with Tricycles, bounce houses and fun photo-ops! This festival has entertainment all day long whether you are a die-hard car fanatic or just looking for a great day out with the family, this is one great way to experience Car Week.
When attending Car Week, it’s crucial to minimize the time spent in traffic. Toddlers and traffic don’t mix well, so to make everyone’s experience go a bit more smoothly, plan your routes ahead of time by using our interactive map and downloading our See Monterey app! Visit Monterey County's Current Traffic Advisories and Closures for real-time traffic updates.