Top Car Shows for Your 2018 West Coast Summer Road Trip
August 29, 2018
BY MONDELLO PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS / ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JULY 24, 2018 / MONDELLO PERFORMANCE /
Check Out These Top Car Shows
Summer is rolling by, but it’s not too late to take advantage of the many car shows that pop up at this time of year. We’ve compiled a list of upcoming exhibitions in California and Oregon that will get you on the road and admiring your favorite vehicles throughout the summer and fall.
Beaches Summertime Cruisin’
Wednesdays through September 26 | Portland, OR
Beaches Summertime Cruisin’ is back at Beaches Restaurant and Bar every Wednesday through September 26. This summer-long event features different cars on a weekly basis, including everything from Mustangs and Corvettes to police cars and fire engines. Kids activities and charity spotlights also change weekly, making for varied summertime fun that definitely warrants a trip up to Portland.
Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show
August 12, October 14, & December 2 | Pomona, CA
Collectors from all over the country show off thousands of classic cars at this antique auto swap meet and classic car show, the largest on the West Coast. This recurring day-long exhibition showcases cars both for sale and just for show and are divided into six different zones: pre-‘85 classic cars, Corvettes from any year, Porsches from any year, pre-‘59 street rods, pre-‘85 imports, and pre-‘85 Volkswagens. The swap meet section of the event includes 15 miles of car parts and accessories that are usually hard to find.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
August 26 | Monterey, CA
If you can only make it to one car show this summer, this should be it: The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the No. 1 collector car competition in the entire world. Awards go to the most elegant automobiles. Style, technical integrity, originality, history, and precision of preservation/restoration are all contributing factors. And as the event is held on the Pebble Beach Golf Links overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the cars won’t be the only thing to admire.
For other events associated with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, check out their events page.
Orange County International Auto Show
October 4-7 | Anaheim, CA
The Orange County International Auto Show is one of the largest auto shows in the nation, with over 600 new models, concept cars and exotics, test drives of over 100 different vehicles, a SoCal Work Truck & Van Show, and more. Kid-friendly activities and a slew of food trucks make this an affair the whole family can enjoy.
Sea Cruise Car Show
October 5-6 | Crescent City, CA
Enjoy classic cars and the California coast at the same time at the Sea Cruise Car Show in Crescent City. This event includes a Show ‘n’ Shine downtown on the 5th and a car show with live music in Beachfront Park on the 6th. After the Show ‘n’ Shine, registered entrants can partake in a Blues, Brews & Cruise event, featuring a closed cruise that will go through downtown Crescent City as well as blues music and microbrews.
Rendezvous Back to Route 66
October 6 | San Bernardino, CA
This car show will be rendezvousing in San Bernardino for the sixth time this October, although the event actually has 28 years of history. The show has scaled down a bit since its conception, but continues to unite residents and visitors alike with a love for classic cars and nostalgia for Route 66. Last year, over 1,500 vehicles came to strut their stuff.
Sacramento International Auto Show
October 19-21 | Sacramento, CA
If you want to see a little bit of everything, the Sacramento International Auto Show is the event for you. Admire the latest models from over 35 different manufacturers, collector’s items in multiple classic car exhibits, and other rare features such as horseless carriages and vintage camper trailers. With ride-and-drives that allow you to get behind the wheel of various vehicles, you can even test drive the latest electric vehicle innovations! This show is also family-friendly, with three kid zones featuring games, bounce houses, movies, tricycles, and concessions.
San Francisco International Auto Show
November 21-25 | San Francisco, CA
The 61st annual San Francisco International Auto Show will be rolling into town this November. More details are still to come, but automobile enthusiasts are sure to find everything from their favorite classics to the newest and most technologically advanced vehicles.
Los Angeles Auto Show
November 30-December 9 | Los Angeles, CA
The Los Angeles Auto Show takes over the entire LA Convention Center with global debuts and concept cars, test drives of almost 100 of the most recent models, customized rides, virtual reality and games, a Mercedes-Benz Mountain, and more. Since its founding in 1907, this exhibition has become one of the most important and well-attended shows in the world, drawing industry decision-makers and the public alike.
This article has been reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder, Mondello Performance Products. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Click here for more automotive tips and stories from Mondello Performance, or here for more information on the next Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show.