Got a special car in San Diego and want to do more than commute and cruise? Here’s the list of San Diego car shows, meets and races.
Whether you love detailing and showing off your car, want to enter a show for a shot at bragging rights, or you’re the “just drive it” type itching to try autocross, rallycross, HPDE or club racing — San Diego has something for you.
Below is a running list of San Diego car shows, meets, and races/track events. Shows are formal; meets are casual, usually weekly, and open to just about any car. Meet info changes constantly — some run every week rain or shine, others pop up on a whim. Much of the scene runs on word of mouth across San Diego, North County, Temecula, Murrieta and beyond, so it can be hard to keep up. Treat this as a loose guide and always double-check with the organizer before you polish up and drive out.
Updated June 2026
This list is being actively maintained again. Every event below was re-verified in June 2026, and we re-check the whole list each season. Still — meets change on a whim, so confirm with the organizer before you roll out.
Car Meets & Cruise Nights
Meets are casual and recurring. Info changes often — always confirm with the organizer before driving out.
| Meet | Description | Location | Date & Time | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cbad Cars (Cars & Coffee Carlsbad) | The North County staple. All cars welcome — hot rods, exotics, JDM, classics. Grab coffee and talk cars. | Poinsettia Village, 7130 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, CA 92011 | Every Saturday7–9 AM | |
| Rancho Santa Fe Cars & Coffee | One of the county's most recognizable weekend meets, set in the village center. All makes welcome. | Paseo Delicias & Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091 | Every Saturday8–11 AM | Details |
| Bonita Cars & Coffee | Relaxed South Bay morning meet. All cars welcome. | Bonita Donuts, 4414 Bonita Rd, Bonita, CA 91902 | Every Saturday7 AM | Details |
| Southbay Corvettes 'n Coffee | Corvette-leaning South Bay meet, but all enthusiasts are welcome to stop by. | 380 East H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 | Saturdays (confirm)9:30 AM | Details |
| Cars & Coffee La Mesa | East County Sunday morning gathering. All cars welcome. | Small Batch, 8332 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942 | Sundays (confirm)7 AM | Details |
| Escondido Cars & Coffee | North County Sunday meet. All makes and models welcome. | 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025 | Every Sunday8 AM | Details |
| Cars & Coffee College Grove | Twice-monthly meet near SDSU. All cars welcome. | 3436 College Ave, San Diego, CA 92115 | 1st & 3rd Sunday8:30–11:30 AM | Details |
| La Jolla Cars & Coffee | Monthly meet that cruises into the village. Mix of exotics, classics and enthusiast cars. | La Jolla Village, San Diego, CA 92037 | 2nd Sunday of the monthEarly morning (confirm) | Details |
| SDAM Cars & Coffee | Monthly meet at the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park. | San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 | 3rd Sunday of the month7:30–9 AM (confirm) | Details |
| Southbae Cars & Coffee SD | South Bay Sunday meet. All cars welcome. | 1410 East Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950 | Sundays (confirm)8 AM | Details |
| Tuesdays at Ventura Cove (Park 'n Chill) | Laid-back weeknight meet on Mission Bay. All cars welcome. | Ventura Cove Park, 3211 Gleason Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 | Tuesdays8 PM | Details |
| Cruisin' Grand | Long-running Friday-night cruise of classic cars (pre-1974 American iron featured) down Grand Ave. A San Diego institution. | East Grand Ave, Downtown Escondido, CA 92025 | Fridays, June–September (2026: Jun 5–Sep 25)4–9 PM | Website |
| Encinitas Cruise Nights | Classic cars line Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. Free to attend and to show. | S Coast Hwy 101 (D St to K St), Encinitas, CA 92024 | 3rd Thursday, May–September5:30–7:30 PM | Website |
| Cajon Cruise | Seasonal cruise night in downtown El Cajon with classics and customs. | Main St, Downtown El Cajon, CA 92020 | Wednesdays (seasonal — confirm)6 PM | Details |
| La Mesa Classic Car Show & Music Nights | Seasonal Thursday-evening classic car show in La Mesa Village. | Downtown La Mesa Village, La Mesa, CA 91942 | Thursdays (seasonal — confirm)5 PM | Details |
| Poway Cruisers Saturday Cruise-In | Long-running North County cruise-in hosted by the Poway Cruisers club. | In-N-Out Burger, 12890 Gregg Ct, Poway, CA 92064 | Saturdays (confirm)7 AM | Website |
Car Shows
Shows are more formal. Many require registration for show cars — confirm details and dates with the organizer.
| Show | Description | Location | Date & Time | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Jolla Concours d'Elegance | Prestigious juried show overlooking the cove. Strict entry rules; spectator admission fee. 2026 theme: "Icons of Speed" (20th annual). | Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla Cove, San Diego, CA 92037 | April 24–26, 2026 (main show Sun Apr 26)9 AM–4 PM | Website |
| San Diego International Auto Show | The big new-car expo. Your car stays outside, but you get to see all the latest models under one roof. | San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 | Early January (2026 ran Jan 1–4)10 AM–9 PM (varies by day) | Website |
| Goodguys Del Mar Nationals | Hot rods, customs and classics, plus a show-and-shine for newer cars. Held twice a year. | Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 | Spring & fall (confirm dates)8 AM–5 PM | Website |
| Fords & Friends Car Show | Annual Ford-focused show (all enthusiasts welcome to spectate) at NTC Park in Liberty Station. | NTC Park, 2455 Cushing Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 | June (annual — confirm date)9 AM–2 PM | Details |
| All American Car Show | Waterfront show of American classics and muscle on the Embarcadero. | Embarcadero Marina Park North, 400 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 | Spring (annual — confirm date)Afternoon (confirm) | Details |
Races & Track Events
If you plan to compete, safety gear and a tech inspection come first. Check each organizer's site for the current schedule.
| Event | Description | Location | Date & Time | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCCA San Diego Region — Solo (Autocross) | The easiest and cheapest way to start racing your street car against the clock. Most cars welcome. (Events moved from the former Qualcomm/SDCCU Stadium site to Lake Elsinore.) | Lake Elsinore Storm Stadium, 500 Diamond Dr, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 | Varies — see schedule | Website |
| SCCA San Diego Region — Track Days / Time Trials | HPDE and time-trial days at SoCal road courses, run by the local SCCA region. | Various SoCal tracks | Varies — see schedule | Website |
| Speed Ventures | Open track days and HPDE, rotating through Southern California road courses 2–4 weekends a month. | Various SoCal tracks | Varies — see schedule | Website |
| San Diego NASCAR Weekend at Coronado | NASCAR's street-course race weekend on Naval Air Station North Island — a spectator event, not a participant one. | Coronado Street Course, NAS North Island, Coronado, CA 92118 | June (2026: Jun 19–21)Times vary by session | Website |
Last updated: June 2026. RallyWays does not organize or host any of these events and is not responsible for changes or cancellations. This list is a guide — always confirm with the organizer, obey local laws, and use common sense. No street racing or other dumbassedness. Be safe out there. —RW
