Classic Car Show – La Jolla, California

2008 La Jolla Motor Car Classic: Minerva headlights and radiator.

San Diego’s favorite coastal community will once again draw classic car buffs from far and wide when the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance takes place on Sunday, April 1.

Formerly known as the La Jolla Motor Car Classic, the name change this year reflects the number and the quality of the vehicles that will be on display. The car show was first held in 2005 and, while many aspects have changed, the venue remains the same: The exhibition will take place in Scripps Park in La Jolla, where the drop-dead gorgeous ocean view gets almost as much attention as the classic cars.

The scene at the 2009 La Jolla Motor Car Classic.

Originally, the car show was free of charge and attracted primarily San Diego car guys. These days, fans of vintage vehicles will come from all over California and the U.S. – both to attend and to exhibit. To accommodate the out-of-towners, several of La Jolla’s hotels are offering special packages. These include La Valencia Hotel, The Grand Colonial, La Jolla Cove Suites, Hotel Parisi, Best Western Inn By the Sea, and Empress Hotel La Jolla.

If you’re in town on Saturday night, March 31, you might enjoy the Concours d’Elegance Movie In The Park: Cannonball Run. This free of charge outdoor event will start at 7pm in Scripps Park. It’s BYO chair and cozy jacket.
Because my spouse is a serious car guy, I have never missed this car show, and it’s been fun watching it grow over the years. We also regularly attend the famed Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Northern California and, while the La Jolla show is somewhat smaller and not yet as prestigious, I’d say we’re definitely moving in that direction.

For 2012 the featured marque is Italian automobiles, so you can expect to see more than a few Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, Maseratis, and Fiats among the 150 cars on display.

2007 La Jolla Motor Car Classic: “car girls” enjoying the show.

The Concours will take place from 9am – 3pm. Tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Children under 14 are free. Proceeds from the event benefit the La Jolla Historical Society and San Diego’s Monarch School, which serves students impacted by homelessness.

My husband is an exhibitor this year, so I’ll definitely be in attendance. In fact, I’ll be at the La Jolla Historical Society booth part of the day selling tickets to the organization’s next big event: the Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla, which will take place on Saturday, May 19. This event gives participants an opportunity to see beyond the walls and hedges that enclose some of La Jolla loveliest homes. The location of the gardens isn’t disclosed until the day of the tour – that’s the “secret” part – but they are always stunning.

 I’d love it if you’d stop by and say hello.

Tags: California, car show, classic cars, Concours d' Elegance, hotel deals, Italian automobiles, La Jolla, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Motor Car Classic, San Diego, scripps park, vintage vehicles

Category: Events