Inside Monterey Car Week: The Quail, Pebble Beach & The Cars of the Future | Cars & Bikes | Forbes

Monterey Car Week is the premier global event where car enthusiasts, owners, and luxury auto brands converge to celebrate the artistry and innovation of the automobile. Take a look inside the week's most exclusive events, including The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering—a high-ticket, invite-only event where luxury brands host their guests in a garden party atmosphere. The journey culminates at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where 250 of the world's most valuable cars compete for top honors, and the most anticipated concept cars are unveiled.

Discover a fascinating blend of automotive past and future, from classic cars like the "first supercar" —a 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV—and a 1933 Rolls-Royce Henley Roadster, to cutting-edge concepts. See Rivian's unique "one of one" R1 Quad —a bespoke Pebble Beach edition that pushes the brand’s design boundaries—and get an exclusive look at McLaren's Project Endurance, their car for the 2027 racing season. Experience the passion and business behind Monterey Car Week, a place where collectors and executives come together over a shared love for the motor car.

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Some call it a billion-dollar traffic jam, others see it as the ultimate opportunity to shop for a luxury car and yet for others, it’s the Instagram moment of a lifetime. Each August thousands and thousands of super car owners, luxury car buyers, car makers and fans descend upon California’s Monterey Peninsula for a week of car shows, auction perusing, shopping and sitting in traffic cheek by jowl with Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Deusenbergs and more.

Don’t let the ultra-luxury brands preened for attention distract from the mission of the week, though; Monterey Car Week, a multi-day multi-venue event is intended to bring fans, families, enthusiasts and owners together to celebrate the heritage of automotive. And it presents a unique opportunity for everyone, from Jay Leno, owner of one of the largest private car collections in the world, to the enthusiast with just enough gas money to get there, an equal opportunity to indulge in cars.

But it also represents the most select events in the auto world, many that are invitation-only, exclusive and even then, can carry a hefty price tag.

The Most Valuable Cars In The World Are At Monterey Car Week

In all, more than a billion dollars in automotive assets are on display and on the road during Monterey Car Week. The auto auctions alone took in $432.8 million in 2025 according to Hagerty, with this season yielding the second highest total since 2022.

Then, there are vintage and collectible cars on show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering; each is said to each showcase collections worth more than $500 million.

Luxury carmakers also stage elaborate exhibits and VIP suites at both The Quail and at the Pebble Beach Concours. There, they showcase priceless concept cars, reveal new models and display vintage editions from their private collections.

And then, there are the private events, from supercar brands’ private villas to car sellers and speciality companies that stage their own shows in private spaces.