You live in San Diego, California and you just bought a new car – or new to you. You are looking into what to do with it past driving it to work and cruising around during the weekends. This is the list of the San Diego car shows, meets and races.

Maybe you love detailing your car and showing it off. Maybe you’d like to enter it into a contest for a chance to win bragging rights. Or maybe you’re the “just drive it” kind of person and want to test the waters in competitive driving such as autocross, rallycross, HPDE (high performance driving events) or club racing.

Below is a list of car shows in San Diego, California – including meets and races. The main difference between shows and meets is that the meets are much less formal, recurring weekly in most cases and just about any type of car is welcome.

Keep in mind that with car meets, information can vary quite a bit. Some car meets occur every week, rain or shine. Such is the case with most Cars & Coffee events such as Cbad Cars. However, there are other meets that happen on a whim, happen once a month, happen every once in a while or simply disappear and come back without notice. Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you.

Many of these car meets are based on word of mouth, between many friends and people tightly connected with the local car scene. If you live in San Diego or close by and you are deeply involved in the local car scene you’re bound to find out about all the meets. If not, it’s a little hard to keep up.

This list is meant to serve as a ‘lax kind of guide. Due to the nature of the whole scene, information is bound to change without notice and you will likely end up polishing your car and driving far to a meet that’s not there. Be sure to double-check with different sources and ask around to make sure an event is actually happening. Don’t ask us, we’re not the source. We’re just relaying the information.

MeetDescriptionLocationDateTimeLink
*We update this chart as soon as we hear about any changes. However, please confirm with the organizer’s site before commiting to attend. Don’t do anything stupid. Common sense. Not burnouts, revving, etc. Obey the laws.
Cbad Cars (Cars & Coffee CarlsbadCars and Coffee Carlsbad – All cars welcome. Drink coffee and talk about cars.7130 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad CA 92011Every Saturday7-9AMFacebook
Cars, Coffee and DoughnutsAll cars and bike enthusiasts welcome. Drink coffee, eat many doughnuts and talk about cars.Krispy Kreme – 4180 Clairemont Mesa BLVD, San Diego, California 92117Last Sunday of every month7-9:30AMFacebook
La Costa Cars & PizzaAll cars welcome. Pizza and cars.Project Pie, La Costa Town SquareThursday nights7:30PMFacebook
Cruisin’ GrandBig get-together of car enthusiasts of all types cruising Grand Ave in Escondido.East Grand Avenue, EscondidoFridays, March-September5-9PMWebsite
SAE Motorsport MeetCar gathering, all types of cars welcome.4040 Calle Platino Suite 123
Oceanside, California		Check with organizerCheck with organizerFacebook
Local Car Scene / Temecula TuesdaysCar gathering, all types of cars welcome.TemeculaCheck with organizerCheck with organizerFacebook
Ovrdue!Car gathering, all types of cars welcome.583 Grand Ave San Marcos, CaliforniaVaries – Mostly one Thursday a month – Check with organizer7:00PMFacebook
Krispy Kreme TuesdaysCar gathering, all types of cars welcome.2305 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA 91915Varies – 4th Tuesday of the month – Check with organizer (can’t find page)7-10PM

ShowDescriptionLocationDateTimeLink
*Please confirm with the organizers and check their website before committing to attend.
HRE Open HouseMost types of cars welcome. Summer. Registration is required for show cars but there’s usually plenty of parking for other show cars inside and out.HRE Performance Wheels HQ – 2611 Commerce Way, Suite D Vista, California 92081Summer – Check with organizer9AM-2PMStory
Car Show SundaysMost types of cars welcome. Early spring, summer & early fall. As of this writing, registration is not required.Restaurant Row, San MarcosFirst Sunday of every month11PM-3PMFacebook
Del Mar Concours d’ElegancePrestigious event with very strict rules on what cars qualify. Registration is required.Del Mar Racetrack PaddockPending announcement – Check with organizer10-3PMWebsite
La Jolla Concours d’ElegancePrestigious event with very strict rules on what cars qualify. Registration is required. Spectator entrance fee.La Jolla CoveApril 8-10, 201610-3PMWebsite
Vettes for VeteransCorvette only car show. Registration required, free admission for spectators.T.G.I. Fridays in CarlsbadPending announcement – Check with organizer10-3PMStory
Good Guys Del Mar NationalsHot Rods, customs and classics thru 1972. Also show and shine for newer cars.Del Mar FairgroundsApril & November8-5PMWebsite
San Diego International Auto ShowOf course, your car stays outside – but you get to see the cool new ones.San Diego Convention CenterJanuary 2016 – Check with organizer10AMWebsite
O’Gara Coach /Symbolic Motors Cars & CoffeeLamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley & other exotics.O’Gara Coach Sorrento Valley Service CenterVaries – Check with organizer9AMStory
Bella ItaliaCelebration of the Italian automobile. Modern and classic exoticsSpanish Landing Park, San Diego BaySpring8AMStory

RaceDescriptionLocationDateTimeLink
*Please check with organizers for details. If competing, safety gear and car inspection are the most important points to look into.
Coronado Speed FestivalVintage racing all weekend, plus car shows, car clubs and many other car activities within the event.Naval Air Station – North Island, Coronado, CASeptember 19-20, 20158AM-5PMStory
Race LegalLegal quarter mile race venue for your street car.Qualcomm StadiumVaries – Every other Friday6PMWebsite
SCCA Solo 2 San DiegoAutocross (Auto X) for your street car. Easiest & cheapest way to start racing. Most cars welcome.Qualcomm StadiumVaries – See siteVaries – See siteWebsite
BMW Club of America Auto XAuto X with BMWCCA. Mostly BMW, but with limited open slots for non-BMW vehicles.Qualcomm StadiumVaries – See siteVaries – See siteWebsite
Porsche Club of America SD Region Auto XAuto X with PCASDR. Mostly Porsche, but with limited open slots for non-Porsche vehicles.Qualcomm StadiumVaries – See siteVaries – See siteWebsite

Disclaimer: RallyWays does not organize or host any of these shows, meets or races. We are not responsible for changes in the event dates or times, or even complete cancellation. This list is here as a guide to help car enthusiasts find new venues to enjoy their cars. We encourage you to check with all the organizers and inform yourself about all the ins and outs related to each event. We also remind you to obey local laws and use common sense. We will not list or help promote any show or meet that is involved in illegal activities such as street racing or any other form of dumbassedness. Be safe out there and look after your fellow car enthusiasts. -RW

Vintage BMW 3.0 CSL Batmobile

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