Events in Salinas today

Start Monterey Car Week with a three-day celebration of automobilia that highlights automotive art, literature, collectibles, vintage signs, scale models, memorabilia, and more. Meet collectors and exhibitors from across the United States and Europe, browse rare discoveries, attend the ACE Speaking Series Forum, and take in a live automobilia auction. Welcoming seasoned collectors and anyone intrigued by the heritage of the automobile, ACE sets the stage for the week ahead.

The ACE Forum brings together leading voices in the automotive world for an afternoon of lively conversation held in conjunction with the Automobilia Collectors Expo. Guided by moderator Nic Waller, the program features Donald Osborne and Wayne Carini exploring automotive history, collecting, restoration, market trends, and the stories behind notable automobiles. Following his session, Wayne Carini will host a special book signing. Designed for dedicated collectors as well as anyone who loves cars, the forum offers a chance to learn from industry leaders during Monterey Car Week. Seating is limited and tickets are available online.

This class explains how anger differs from assertiveness, stress, and aggression. Participants reflect on their own patterns to understand what fuels their anger, then build practical strategies to handle it constructively and maintain calm in stressful moments.

Celebrate Date Night Tuesday with a four course dinner for two featuring Chef's pintxos, a Caesar salad, a choice of paella such as Del Mar, La Granja, or Primavera, and churros for dessert, paired with two glasses of Estéban's Signature Sangria for $79. The paellas are prepared with care to showcase classic Spanish flavors. Reservations are recommended.

Night Rider transforms Asilomar’s underground garage into an after hours automotive showcase of award winning lowriders and classic cars, spotlighting the creativity, craftsmanship, and California car culture shaped by Chicano style and lowrider traditions. Chrome, intricate paintwork, custom interiors, and timeless builds tell the stories behind each vehicle while a live DJ from The Mothership Connection spins vintage vinyl. Explore a curated mix of artisan makers and specialty vendors and find local food options as you take it all in. Admission is $65 per person and includes entry plus two complimentary drinks. Attendees can also take part in a voting contest to help select the crowd favorites.

Unwind by the fireplace in the lounge while Dave Conley performs live on piano.

Petersen Automotive Museum members and friends can enjoy special savings during race weekend. The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion brings motorsport history to life, creating a moving museum filled with hundreds of authentic, period correct racing and sports entries. Widely regarded as one of the world’s premier motorsport lifestyle gatherings, this edition highlights the icons of Japanese motorsport as the featured marque, showcasing landmark machines from Mazda, Toyota, Yamaha, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and more to reflect decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and competition. The spectacle spans disciplines where these marques have achieved success, including INDYCAR, NASCAR, Formula 1, Formula E, endurance racing, sports car competition, off road, rally, motorcycle racing, and drifting. For more than five decades, the Reunion has honored authenticity and heritage at speed, celebrating the most storied eras and machinery. As the signature centerpiece of Monterey Car Week, it offers an experience for all the senses with family friendly activations, elevated culinary options, top tier hospitality, and rare chances to meet renowned drivers, all set to the unmistakable sound of great racing machines.

A sound healing session by Sacred Sounds Monterey draws on age old therapeutic practices with crystal singing bowls and vocal tones to support mental health and overall physical wellbeing. The vibrations are used as practical tools to clear stagnant energy, ease anxiety, and soften rigid thought patterns and limiting beliefs that are ready to be released. Emphasis is placed on using sound and vibration to let go of resistance so that joy, gratitude, and love of life can be expressed more fully. Suggested love offering is $15.

Celebrate cultures from around the globe through joyful group dancing at this international folk dance session. Expect simple steps, lively music, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages connection. No partner or previous experience is required. Bring comfortable shoes and a curious spirit as movement becomes a way to open the heart, calm the mind, and build community. Cost is $7 for drop-in participation.

This evening opens the Woodies in the Woods weekend with a luau-inspired celebration centered on community and culture. The program features an island-inspired dinner, live music from Ho'omana Band, and hula and Tahitian dance by Halau Hula Hi'ilani 'O Ke Kai under the direction of Kumu Hula Marleen Lopez. It serves as a festive start to Car Week, highlighting great company, woodies, and lively performances in a welcoming atmosphere. Admission is $70 per person and includes entry, dinner, and the show.

Put your knowledge to the test at a weekly trivia night at Tipsy Putt, presented by Geeks Who Drink. It is free to play, with new questions and playful challenges each week. Form a team of two to six, or come solo and connect with others if you prefer. Winners earn prizes, and there is plenty of cold beer available. A free RSVP option is available to add it to a calendar.

Legends of the Autobahn brings automotive enthusiasts to Pacific Grove Golf Links. Spectator admission is free, and onsite parking is $40. Anyone interested in displaying a vehicle should complete advance registration.

Mecum Auctions, the largest collector car auction company worldwide, comes back to Monterey, California. About 600 classic and collector vehicles are expected to go across the block, and attendees will find support services that include financing options, auto transport, and assistance with transferring ownership after a purchase. It serves as a convenient one-stop destination for discovering and acquiring a dream car. Information is provided on vehicle consignment, bidder registration, spectator tickets, and the lineup of cars to be offered.

Experience the Second Annual Woodies in the Woods at Asilomar, set in Grand Cypress Meadow. Vintage wood-accented automobiles from the Santa Cruz Woodies club will be on view, with live music by Koastal Konnection, a beer garden, and food and drinks. Admission is free and the event is suitable for all ages. Complimentary parking is available on-site in Lots B, C, E, and F, with overflow in Lots D and P, plus nearby street parking. For more information, call 831.372.8016.

Log a steady 3.6 mile run guided by the F3 model. The group meets outside the Beach House Restaurant to get started. It is free, held outdoors in any weather, and open to men of all ages and fitness levels. Leadership rotates among participants who also take part in the workout, with the leader known as the Q. There is no special training required to lead and no membership requirement beyond showing up at the start location and following the Q’s plan. No one is left behind, and everyone is encouraged to make progress. The workout wraps up with a brief closing circle, known in F3 as the Circle of Trust.

At historic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, part of Monterey Car Week, showcases more than 500 classic race cars spanning vintage entries to more recent classics and celebrates the history of motorsports while drawing guests from around the world. During the Friday and Saturday portion of the Reunion, BMW CCA offers Festorics at the Turn 5 Corral with hospitality.

Estéban Restaurant introduces a new Friday night prime rib feature built around a 12 ounce porcini crusted cut. The plate comes with grilled asparagus, a horseradish cream sauce, and smashed potatoes enriched with dry aged beef fat. The full special is priced at $49. Reservations are recommended.

Concours d'Lemons California returns to the Seaside City Hall lawn during Monterey Auto Week, highlighting the oddest and most questionable cars. Hoopties of every description vie for the "Worst of Show" trophy, with celebrity judges who are capricious and bribery prone. Spectator admission is free.

Exotics On Broadway brings an up-close showcase of striking exotics, supercars, and hypercars. Launched in 2015, it has grown from a small gathering into Monterey Car Week’s largest single-day attraction, presenting coveted hypercars and drawing more than 40,000 attendees. Touted as the most anticipated event of the week, it offers an expansive display that celebrates cutting-edge performance and design. The upcoming edition features a refreshed layout with a fully enclosed, ticketed vendor and hypercar showcase designed for a more comfortable viewing experience. Highlights include premier hypercar manufacturers, a roster of 40-plus hypercars, leading sponsors and vendors from across the automotive industry, and a main entertainment stage. The expanded footprint encloses both directions of a major boulevard and introduces an elevated VIP lounge. Children 12 and under receive free entry to the ticketed area. Ticket options include General Admission with an early bird price of $40 for access to the enclosed showcase. Show Car Parking plus General Admission has an early bird price of $95 and includes one show car parking spot and one GA ticket for the enclosed portion. The VIP Show Car Parking package is offered at an early bird price of $925 and includes one VIP parking spot and two VIP Lounge tickets, with lounge access also covering the GA area. A standalone VIP Lounge ticket is available at an early bird price of $375 and provides entry to a private lounge with complimentary food, beverages, and shade inside the enclosed showcase, plus GA access. Each ticket is for one individual unless otherwise noted.

Dave Conley performs on piano in the lounge, with the fireplace providing a warm backdrop for a relaxed listening experience.