Cars & Coffee Meet-Ups, Cruise Lines and Car Shows in San Diego
(last upated 4/5/22)
When your kids are car-obsessed...you track down all the meet-ups! 🏎 🤪
Contents:
Master List of Car Club Groups: These groups keep monthly lists of all car shows, meet ups, cars + coffee & more!
ANNUAL AUTO SHOWS IN SAN DIEGO
Car-loving kiddos will be mesmerized walking around all the classics, hot rods, exotics and new models that are on display at these annual auto shows.
GOOD TO KNOW: Some require tickets (usually benefiting local charities) and some are free, so plan ahead and put these on your calendar for this year or next because they happen every year.
TIP: Bring cash because most of these will have food trucks or other vendors on-site.
Annual Auto Shows by month:
December 30 - January 2, 2022 - SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
You can climb in and out of all the latest models, see the newest technology and electric innovations and get a sneak peak of new reveals coming out later in the year.
💵 Tickets required 📍 San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr., downtown San Diego, 92101
April 1-3, 2022 - MEGUIAR'S NATIONALS
This is a well-known national car show that takes place twice a year at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This will be enjoyed by fans of hot rods, old trucks, muscles and classic cars, but make sure you stay for the competitions featuring dragsters and burn outs. There will be a kid’s zone with free crafts, games and prizes.
💵 Tickets required 📍 Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 92014
May 14, 2022 - HOT RODS & COOL TREATS
Grab the family and come on out for some good old-fashioned fun with vintage carnival games, build-your-own-sundae ice cream bar, live music, face painting, crafts, kids fun zone. Food available for purchase like hot dogs & root beer floats.
💵 Free Admission, cost for games & food 🕰 11am-2pm 📍 Pine Avenue Community Park, 3333 Harding St., Carlsbad, 92008
🕰 10am-3pm 📍 Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center, 92082
May 29, 2022 - ANNUAL MEMORIAL WEEKEND CAR SHOW
This one is an annual fundraiser that benefits local Fallbrook non-profits for youth and military. This will feature all vehicles made before 1997 with awards, vendors, swap meet, breakfast, live DJ and raffles.
🕰 10am-3pm 📍 Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center, 92082
July 16, 2022 - THE ALL AMERICAN CAR SHOW
This one is an annual fundraiser hosted by Mopar San Diego with proceeds benefitting local military groups. This will feature all makes, models and years for cars, trucks and motorcycles; which usually has 250 vehicles for show and about 3,000 people in attendance.
🕰 9am-2:30pm 📍 Seaport Village Embarcadero North, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, 92101 📲 @sandiegomopar
August 7, 2022 - XAVIER THE X-MAN'S CRUISE FOR A CAUSE
Car show, music, fun, blood & bone marrow drive. Hundreds of vehicles will be on display from low-riders, classics, imports, trucks, euro, hot rods, to mini trucks, motorcycles, bikes and customs with live entertainment, fun activities for the kids, vendor booths, and more.
This one is a charity car show that benefits the Emilio Nares Foundation, a local non-profit organization that provides free transportation services to help children battling cancer and their families. This show helps keep the vans on the road. From paying for gas, monthly oil changes, new tires, to tune ups and even sometimes in assisting with the purchase of an additional vehicle. This even helps keep the services free for those who need it most.
🕰 10am-3pm 📍 Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista, 91915
August 13, 2022 - MAIN STREET AMERICA CAR SHOW
This one is a charity car show that benefits the San Diego Center for the Blind. It features all makes and models with “Best Of” prizes awarded.
🕰 10am-3pm 📍 Seaport Village Embarcadero North, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, 92101
August 20, 2022 - SOUTH-O CAR SHOW
"Rat Rods, Hot Rods, cars, boats & bikes." This one is a charity car show that raises funds for a variety of school necessities—most importantly helping to fund a week long sleep away science camp for 5th graders.
💵 Suggested admission/donation, $5 🕰 9am-3pm 📍 South Oceanside Elementary School, 1806 S Horne St., Oceanside, 92054
September 10, 2022 - THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF
This one is part of Clairemont Family Days (@clairemontfamilyday). You’ll find all kinds of makes, models and years of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Pair these together with great music, rides for kids, games, raffles, food and everyone will have a great time.
🕰 9am-3pm 📍 South Clairemont Recreation Center, 3605 Clairemont Dr., San Diego, 92117
September 4, 2022 - ANNUAL VISTA ROD RUN
Over 350 Classic Cars. Open to all makes and models. Enjoy music throughout the streets of downtown Vista. Awards, raffles, vendors.
🕰 9am-2pm 📍 downtown Vista, 203 Main St., Vista, 92084
September 5, 2022 - AUTO SWAP & CAR SHOW
Buy, sell, show, swap: cars, trucks & bikes at the Santee Drive-In. Food, music & trophies.
🕰 6:30am-1pm 📍 Santee Drive-In, 10990 N. Woodside Ave., Santee, 92071
September 15-18, 2022 - WAVECREST WOODIES
Woodie classic car show. DJ, food trucks, awards, raffles.
📍 Moonlight Beach, 401 C St., Encinitas, 92024.
September 18, 2022 - SAN DIEGO BAYFAIR
The world series of hydroplane boat racing with a staged car show in the parking lot. Music, races, food, fun & awards.
🕰 8am-10am 📍 Crown Point on Mission Bay (Crown Point Dr. + Moorland Dr., Pacific Beach, 92109)
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2022 - MEGUIAR'S NATIONALS
This is a well-known national car show that takes place twice a year at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This will be enjoyed by fans of hot rods, old trucks, muscles and classic cars, but make sure you stay for the competitions featuring dragsters and burn outs. There will be a kid’s zone with free crafts, games and prizes.
💵 Tickets required. 📍 Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 92014
October 9, 2022 - MUSTANGS BY THE BAY
All kinds of Ford Mustangs, stock, modified and personalized! DJ, food, raffles, awards. Show proceeds will benefit VFW Post 1774 Santa at the Ship Toy Drive and other local charities.
🕰 9am-3:30pm 📍 Seaport Village Embarcadero North, 400 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, 92101
SUMMER CAR CRUISE LINES IN SAN DIEGO
You know it's summer time when the car cruise lines show up and show off! These cruise lines drive up and down and all around these roads that are usually lined with good patio or street-view restaurants.
GOOD TO KNOW: Each of these have different car groups that show up each week (80's cars, off-roaders, race cars, hot rods, muscles, classics, etc.) so check their calendar online to plan which ones you want to see.
TIP: Plan ahead for which restaurant you want to park yourself at for an hour so you can make sure to get a seat and grab a bite while you gawk and stare as the cruise lines roll by.
Summer Cruise Lines by day:
WEDNESDAYS: Cajon Classic Cruise
This one draws thousands of car-fanatics to see the best classic cars cruising down Main St. Grab a table at one of the restaurants along the way and enjoy a fun family weekday outing.
📆 every Wednesday 🕰 5-8pm from April – October 📍 Magnolia + Main St., El Cajon
2ND WEDNESDAYS: South-O Cruise Night
"Free parking, craft beer, food trucks, good times."
📆 every 2nd Wednesday starting June 8 - ? 🕰 6-9pm 📍 1575 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, 92054
THURSDAYS: La Mesa Cruise Night
"Stroll down La Mesa Blvd. to see beautiful pre-1974 cars, trucks, and vans; enjoy DJ and other live music from local bands that play atop the iconic La Mesa Lumber truck "stage". This is a FREE, family-friendly community event. Come out and celebrate summer with family & friends. And, be sure to dine, shop & explore all that La Mesa Village has to offer while you're here!"
📆 every Thursday June 2 - Aug. 25 🕰 5-8pm 📍downtown La Mesa
3RD THURSDAYS: Encinitas Cruise Night
"The streets of Downtown Encinitas will be rockin’ and rollin’ when Encinitas Classic Car Nights rolls back into town! You'll see hot rods, foreign automobiles, classic cars and Woodies."
📆 every 3rd Thursday from May - Sept. 🕰 5:30-7:30pm 📍 South Coast Hwy 101 between D St. - K St.
FRIDAYS: Cruisin’ Grand
This is an event that locals look forward to every summer. With live DJ’s, kettle corn and patio restaurants open, catch the cruise line as the “best of pre-1974 hotrods” cruise down Grand Avenue.
📆 every Friday night from May - Sept. 🕰 4-9pm 📍 W Grand Ave. + Broadway, Escondido
WHERE TO FIND CARS + COFFEE MEET-UPS IN SAN DIEGO
Some of these are weekly or monthly meet-ups, some have free coffee, some have free donuts, some have both! While others have coffee for purchase nearby or on-site. Anyway, you both win when you attend a Cars + Coffee Meet-Up!
Cars vary by group and each meet-up has different cars that show up every time, so you're guaranteed to see something different every time you go.
GOOD TO KNOW: Some of these car groups head out for a long drive together, so if you get there late, they may be gone.
NOTE: Sometimes these get canceled or rescheduled due to weather or other events, so check before you go.
-- Over the last couple of pandemic years I'm not sure if all of these meet-ups are still active so please verify before you go and please let me know if any of these are no longer happening. --
Cars & Coffee Meet-ups by location:
Clairemont (Porsche SUVs only)
Carmel Mountain (Porsche cars only)
Cars & Coffee Meet-ups by week:
📆 3rd Sun each month 🕰 7:30-9:30am 📍 2080 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park @sdautomotivemuseum (get a discount into the museum that day)
📆 every Saturday 🕰 7-9am 📍 Bonita Donuts / Bonita VONS Shopping Center, 4414 Bonita Rd., Bonita, 91902 @bonita_cars_n_coffee
WHAT: Classic hot rods, low rider, timeless antiques, muscle cars and everything in between. "Come to swap stories, share information about painting, preserving and restoration. Come hang out with your family and friends and enjoy some automotive history.
📆 1st & 3rd Sun each month 🕰 8:30a-12p 📍 College Grove Starbucks, 3436 College Ave., San Diego, 92115
WHAT: "All makes and models welcome and all vendors welcome." Coffee, donuts, breakfast, pancakes. (It doesn't say specifically if any of these are free or paid, but show up and see for yourselves. ;)
📆 Saturdays 🕰 7:30-10am 📍 Now at Shelter Island: 2230 Shelter Island Dr. (dog & kid friendly). Check their instagram for details. @pointlomacarsandcoffee
📆 every 3rd Saturday 🕰 8-10am 📍 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at Clairemont Square, 4180 Clairemont Mesa Bvld., San Diego/Clairemont, 92117 (between Palm + 3rd) @pcasandiego
WHAT: This is a Porsche Club of America - San Diego event that's open to Porsche SUV Cayenne or Macan enthusiasts or those who want to know more about them. Their PCA-SD is a very active club with other Porsche related events and meet-ups. Check their website for calendar info.
📆 every 1st Monday from April-October 🕰 5-7pm 📍 Foster's Freeze, 5129 Waring Rd., San Diego, 92120 @sandiegoassociationofcarclubs
WHAT: "Open to everyone and all vehicles. These are fun get togethers with music, awards, and cool cars!"
📆 every 3rd Sunday 🕰 7-9am 📍 La Mesa Village, 8323 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 91942 (between Spring + 4th) @carsandcoffeelamesa
WHAT: "Welcome to all types of cars, motorcycles and off-road vehicles."
Coffee is on your own, check out local coffee shops nearby: Public Square Coffee House, Light Bulb Coffee, Pink Rose Cafe
EL CAJON Breakfast & Cars
📆 every Wednesday 🕰8am 📍 Bonny's Cafe, 596 Broadway, El Cajon, 92021
WHAT: No specific info available. Please let me know if you find anything out.
EL CAJON Cars + Coffee
📆 every 4th Saturday 🕰 8:30am 📍 Foothills Church, 365 W Bradley Ave., El Cajon, 92020
WHAT: No specific info available. Please let me know if you find anything out.
EL CAJON Car Folks Sunday
📆 every Sunday 🕰 no time is given 📍 American Retro/Audiocare, 245 E Main St., El Cajon, 92020
WHAT: No specific info available. Please let me know if you find anything out.
SANTEE Cars & Donuts
📆 every 1st Sunday 🕰 7-9am 📍 Mary's Donuts, 8959 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 92071
WHAT: "Open to east county cars."
📆 varies - check their Facebook linked above, some Saturdays 🕰 9-11am 📍 Elite Finish, 8820 Kenamar Dr., San Diego/Miramar, 92121 @sandiegocarsandcoffee | @elitefinish
WHAT: "Open to all makes & models. Family & dog friendly. Enjoy cars, coffee, donuts and a live DJ!" Donuts are usually for sale on-site by Donut Bar until sold out.
📆 last Sunday each month 🕰 7-9:30am 📍 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste 128, San Diego 92121
WHAT: "Open to all makes & models, all enthusiasts - kids, dogs, family friendly."
📆 last Sunday each month 🕰 8-10am 📍 Jessie's Bake Shop, 12075 Carmel Mountain Rd., San Diego, 92128 @pcasandiego
WHAT: This is for Porsche cars only, it's part of their Porsche Club of America - San Diego owner's meet-up, but it's open to Porsche cars only and those who are interested in seeing or learning more about them.
📆 every 2nd Saturday 🕰 8-10am 📍 Chic-fil-A, 17135 Camino Del Sur, San Diego/4S Ranch, 92127 @sd_carsandoctane
WHAT: "All makes and models welcome."
📆 1st Sat each month 🕰 11am-2pm 📍 In-N-Out, 12890 Gregg Ct., Poway (On the corner of Scripps Poway Pkwy + Community Rd., in the east-central part of the Kohl's & Staples parking lot.)
WHAT: "All makes, models, years and types of vehicles are welcome."
📆 every Saturday 🕰 8-10am 📍 6004 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067 @ranchosantafecarsandcoffee
WHAT: "We welcome the world's finest cars." So you'll see a lot of exotics and super cars here. Coffee is on your own, but there are a few shops on the main strip.
📆 every Satuday, 🕰 7-9am 📍 Starbucks, 7130 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, 92011 @carlsbad.cars.n.coffee
WHAT: "Any car, any age - bring what ya got."
OCEANSIDE Cruisers Breakfast
📆 every Saturday 🕰 8:30am 📍 Start Fresh Cafe, 1034 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, 92054
WHAT: No specific info available. Please let me know if you find anything out.
📆 Sundays 🕰 8-11am 📍 Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, 92025 @escondidocarsandcoffee
WHAT: "All cars, trucks and bikes welcome."
📆 last Sunday 🕰 9-11am 📍 Visual Detailing, 2180 Meyers Ave., Escondido, 92029
WHAT: No specific info is available.
📆 every 3rd Saturday 🕰 8-10am 📍 River Village Plaza, 5256 S. Mission Rd., Bonsall
WHAT: "All cars welcome. Including EV's, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles. Followed by a 1-2 hour cruise."
BONSALL Rods & Relics
📆 every Saturday 🕰 7am 📍 Z Cafe, 5256 S. Mission Rd., Bonsall, 92003
WHAT: No specific info available. Please let me know if you find anything out.
📆 WEEKLY SCHEDULE FOR CARS & COFFEE MEET-UPS
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