Monterey Car Week: A Celebration of Automotive Excellence

Monterey Car Week is an annual event that draws car enthusiasts from around the world to the Monterey Peninsula in California. This 10-day extravaganza features a diverse array of car shows, races, auctions, and lectures, attracting thousands of visitors and generating millions in economic impact for the local community. As organizers gather to discuss their plans for the upcoming festivities, the excitement and anticipation for this year's event are palpable.

Revving Up for a Thrilling Automotive Showcase

Converging Crowds and Captivating Creations

The Portola Plaza in Monterey is set to be a hub of activity during Monterey Car Week, as Christian Balderas, an Action News 8 reporter, describes. "I'm at the Portola Plaza right now, which aside from the usual tourist crowds will be jam-packed with car enthusiasts from all over the country....and of course hot rods of all different kinds." This diverse gathering of car enthusiasts, from casual observers to passionate collectors, is a testament to the event's broad appeal and the enduring allure of the automobile.

Orchestrating the Automotive Extravaganza

Behind the scenes, the organizers of Monterey Car Week are working tirelessly to ensure the success of the event. As Sean Jacobs, the VP of Business Development for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, explains, "It's great to hear kind of all the plans that are going on, all the work that's happening behind the scenes that most of us, you know, don't get to see because we're so focused on our sole event." These unsung heroes are the driving force behind the car shows, races, auctions, and lectures that draw thousands to the Monterey Peninsula.

Fueling the Local Economy

The impact of Monterey Car Week extends far beyond the event itself, as it generates significant economic benefits for the local community. Last year, the event raised up to million in donations for over 100 local charities, and it is estimated to bring in over million into the local economy. As an organizer noted, "The event has just grown up so much with the auctions and the people that are coming in and the economic impact of all the events together certainly helps out the Monterey County."

Raising the Bar for 2023

This year, the organizers of Monterey Car Week are determined to make the event bigger and better than ever before. One notable highlight is the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, which will be celebrating 50 years of historic racing. Additionally, the Concorde de LeMons event has introduced a new initiative to encourage attendees to donate their "terrible cars" to a good cause, helping to build affordable housing in the Monterey Peninsula.

A Comprehensive Automotive Extravaganza

Monterey Car Week is a sprawling event, spanning 10 days from August 9th to 18th. The lineup includes 12 free car events, as well as numerous ticketed events, culminating in the prestigious Concours d'Elegance on the final day. Attendees should be prepared for large crowds and heavy traffic on the Monterey Peninsula, but the organizers have put measures in place to assist visitors, including a free trolley shuttle and a shuttle service for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, which costs per person and picks up from Carmel Plaza.