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Where to Stay, Dine and Unwind During Monterey Car Week

Beyond the horsepower, Monterey Car Week offers a compelling reason to linger along one of California’s most scenic coastal enclaves.

The Monterey Peninsula is a year-round destination that captures the character of California’s Central Coast, but come August, it becomes a mecca for automobile enthusiasts. Contrary to its name, Monterey Car Week is actually a 10-day festival that runs from August 7 to August 16. From Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove and downtown Monterey, events take place all over the peninsula, giving travelers a chance to watch historic motor races, bid on priceless vehicles at auctions or simply admire rare car shows and collections that you can’t see anywhere else.

Though there are a ton of free happenings and activations, many of the most anticipated events require reservations or tickets. Monterey Pre-Reunion & Corkscrew Hillclimb, for example, is one of the most exciting races, featuring a lineup of more than 200 cars, while the Automobilia Collectors Expo gives buyers a chance to browse vintage memorabilia and model vehicles. While attendees typically fill their itineraries to the brim on most days, there are plenty of worthwhile restaurants, bars and sightseeing you’ll want to throw in the mix. Beyond the horsepower, Monterey Car Week is an excuse to explore one of California's most in-demand destinations, and this guide will help you decide where to eat, what to do and where to stay during this annual celebration of all things automotive.

An Insider's Guide to Monterey Car Week

Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach

Green Gables Inn, A Four Sisters Inn

Additional places to park your car…

La Bicyclette Restaurant

Keep fueling your engine…

Alvarado Street Brewery

Don’t forget your designated driver…

Check out the free Car Week events

Explore the scenic 17-Mile Drive

Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Walk around the storybook streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Continue racing around town…

Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach

1518 Cypress Dr, Pebble Beach, CA 93953

If Pebble Beach is your preferred home base during Monterey Car Week, Casa Palmero is the most exclusive option, with just 24 suites. Located in the heart of Monterey’s most exclusive gated enclave, this Mediterranean-inspired boutique hotel gives guests access to all of Pebble Beach’s top amenities, including the renowned spa and championship golf courses. However, rather than having to be surrounded by the crowds that are sure to swarm both The Lodge and The Inn at Spanish Bay, Casa Palmero remains a quiet sanctuary that you can return to each day after the various automotive events.

Camino Real &, 8th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

Open since 1922, La Playa is one of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s most storied properties. Formerly the mansion of chocolate heiress Angela Ghirardelli, the 72-room accommodation underwent a $20 million renovation in 2023, but the hotel’s timeless bones and vintage appeal remain. Though it’s a bit out of the way of the town’s center, it’s still walkable to all of the best shops,........

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