California Car Shows
Each year thousands of visitors from across the country and abroad make their way to the state of California to attend some of the best annual car shows in the country. From antique and classic shows to custom and import car shows, the state is home to thousands of notable automotive events. Attend one of the shows listed below to admire the extravagant collections of vehicles from across the globe. Below are some of the most impressive car shows in California:
1. Modesto Annual Graffiti Classic Car Show
Modesto Area Street Rod Association organizes this annual classic car show, and it takes place at the McHenry Village Shopping Centre in Modesto, California. The car show usually features several impressive classic cars that visitors can admire. Additionally, you can enjoy the live music, an awards ceremony, raffle drawings, and other fun activities.
2. Sacramento Autorama
This is one of the longest running indoor car shows around the globe. The event takes place at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento, California. This fantastic event includes more than 500 show cars, both new and old, competing for awards.
3. Ironstone Car Show
This car show takes place annually just outside of Murphys, California at the Ironstone Vineyards. Come discover more than 300 of the most impressive vintage vehicles in the world at this fascinating classic and antique car show. The show also features vintage motorcycles, trailers, and wooden boats.
4. The LA Auto Show
This is one of the most prominent cars shows that showcases some of the greatest and latest vehicles coming from worldwide vehicle manufacturers with a focus on “green” technologies. This public event takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in November or December. The vehicles in the show are not for sale. However, you can purchase related merchandise. Apart from showcasing cars, the event is also family-friendly as it attracts celebrities, primarily sport figures and race car drivers.
5. Art Center Car Classic
This prestigious Art Center in Pasadena has produced several luminary designers in the auto industry. The center has an annual Art Center Car Classic every October. With approximately 150 cars displayed on campus, the center makes up in design excellence what it may lack in quantity.
6. Orange County International Auto Show
The Orange County International Auto Show features some of the hottest new trucks and cars, exotics and tricked-out rides. The car show is organized by Motortrend Auto Shows and is held at the Anaheim Convention Center each October.
7. AltCar Expo and Conference
The Alternative Energy and Transportation Conference and Expo is held each October at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. This event focuses on alternative energy vehicles, and it includes test-drive opportunities.
8. Ponies at The Pike
This car show was formerly referred to as Mustangs at the Queen Mary. The event is an annual showcase of Mustangs and other Ford vehicles. The event is held each October at Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach. This event originally was located at the Queen Mary, but in 2014 it was relocated and renamed.
9. Rods, Rides and Relics Classic Cars on The Pier
This is a small car show of approximately 100 classics on the Pier in Redondo Beach, California. The event is held every September, and there is always a Deejay spinning oldies.
10. Huntington Beach Concours D’Elegance
This event showcases Alfa Romeos and Ferraris. The show is held in Central Park every June together with the simultaneous Antique Car Show, Hot Rods in The Park, the Concours Motorcycle Show, and Corvettes in the park.
11. Japanese Classic Car Show
This is an annual auto show that is held each September at Marine Green Park in Long Beach.
12. Beverly Hills Concours D’Elegance
The famed 3-block stretch of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is shut off for the Concours D’Elegance luxury car show every June on Father’s Day. The theme of the car show changes each year.
13. Cruise The Pike
This car show is part of the Summer Sun & Art Fest at the Pike in Downtown Long Beach each August. The show includes trucks, custom, hot rods, sports cars, and more.
14. Belmont Shore Car Show
This show in Long Beach is organized by the Bay City Rodders of the neighboring Seal Beach. Each September approximately 700 classic vehicles and hot rods line the 2nd Street in Belmont Shore, which is usually closed off for this event.
15. Downtown Burbank Car Classic
Six blocks of San Fernando Boulevard and the adjacent streets are closed off every July for the Downtown Burbank Car Classic. Apart from the pre-1974 sports vehicles, hot rods, exotics, and other classics, this car show seeks out vehicles with a Hollywood history including those that feature in films and TV, and vehicles that were previously owned or currently owned by celebrities. There are also different family activities, food vendors, and live music.
16. Cars & Stripes Forever at The Port of LA
This waterfront auto show at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro usually takes place on the last Friday before 4th of July. It features food, live music, and a fireworks show.
17. Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona
This is one of the longest running competitive indoor auto show in the country. It takes place inside all the buildings at the Fairplex in Pomona, and the LA County Fairgrounds, every January. Apart from the competition vehicles in the halls, the event also incorporates the Grand Daddy Drive-In, which adds between 400 and 800 additional classics, collector cars and hot rods on display between the buildings.
18. Endless Summer Classic Car Show
Vehicles from the 1940s to 1970s are displayed on Pier Plaza at the foot of Hermosa Beach Pier. The car show is usually held on the first Saturday of May each year.
19. Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show
The Fairplex in Pomona hosts the Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show seven times in a year. During the event, hundreds of vendors provide different types of hard to find parts of classic cars and people come to sell and buy as well as showcase their vintage and custom rides.
20. Saturday Sunrise Car Cruisers
You can check out the Saturday Sunrise Car Cruisers at any time of year on Saturday. The car show is held at Adams Avenue Donuts. More than 75 hot rods, roadsters, and new concept vehicles make an appearance on a typical Saturday.