La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 2024: Schedule, Location, and Ticket Information
Beauty, elegance, and vintage cars intersect for the annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, which happens each spring at La Jolla Cove. While many spectacular car shows grace San Diego, this one showcases one-of-a-kind automobile gems from around the world. Yearly, car enthusiasts flock to the coast for a thriving showcase of classic, unique, and timeless automobiles.
When is the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance?
Accordingly, the event takes place from April 19-21st, 2024. From specialty craft cocktails to over 150 restored automobiles, there’s every reason to attend this fantastic La Jolla car show.
The main car show event happens from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday, April 21st. Here’s a breakdown of the 2024 Concours events:
- Friday Night VIP Party: Experience the renowned opening night kickoff to the Concours d’Elegance at this party. Featuring live music, a live auction, fine cocktails, delicacies from over 15 San Diego restaurants, a dance floor, and more. Fri, April 19th, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Porsches on Prospect: Sat, April 20th, starting at 5 p.m. until businesses close – Open to the public. Hang out on La Jolla’s Prospect Street and see 75 stunning Porsches, as well as all the great restaurants, art galleries, jewelry stores, and shops throughout La Jolla Village. Restaurant reservations are strongly recommended.
- The Main Event: See more than 150 stunning and unique automobiles from around the world. Sun April 21st, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Expect a diverse crowd, from car enthusiasts to San Diego exotic car dealers and attendees seeking a beautiful location.
Where is the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance?
The popular car show takes place on the lawn at La Jolla Cove, offering attendees a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the dramatic La Jolla coastline as a bonus to the amazing vehicles.
How Do You Buy Tickets to the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance?
The direct ticket link is listed here. For more information, visit their website. Choose from general admission, premium La Jolla Concours tickets, special events like Le Cabaret du Concours, and various VIP packages. Especially, note that ticket availability may decrease while price will increase closer to the event.
General tickets for Concours d’Elegance start at $80, and children under 10 attend for free, providing a great opportunity to create family memories. Explore a variety of classic cars, from vintage Rolls Royces to modern sports cars, making it the perfect Sunday afternoon. Note a $7.84 service charge. Importantly, ticket prices increase on March 6th, 2024 by $10.
Additionally, there are also pricing specials for active duty military and for children under 18.
Where to Stay for the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance?
If you’re looking for hotel accommodations during this car show in La Jolla, we’ve got you covered. At LaJolla.com, we live and breathe tourism, and we have discovered that your best course of action is to look for discount vacation packages.
Enjoy a discounted vacation package with hotel, flights, dining, wine tasting, zoo visits, amusement parks, and more included.
History of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
Originating in the late 17th century, the early Concours was a leisurely social affair rewarding participants with rosettes, wine, and champagne in lighthearted competitions. As coaches and carriages segued into automobiles in the late 19th century, the competition became more defined. By the mid-1920s, no society season on the French Riviera was complete without a variety of organized Concours events.
After World War II, a trio of visionaries — Jules Huemann, Reverend Paul Woudenberg, and Loren Tryon — created what was to become the grandfather of all post-war Concours – Pebble Beach. What was a European staple for centuries has now become a true international tradition that pays homage to its French roots, and is a world-class event that La Jolla is proud to host each year.
Have you ever seen a 1937 Puegot Cabriolet by Poutrout? Many haven’t seen or heard of it, but this burgundy and silver car won the Best Show at La Jolla Concours d’Elegance in 2015. It’s a rare gem that has withstood the test of time and remains a testimony to the caliber of cars that the Concours showcases.
The oldest car at the 2016 show was the 1934 Bugatti T-57 Four Door Pillarless which typically retails for about $130,000 and comes standard with an eight-cylinder engine. Bugatti, renowned for the world’s fastest cars, ensures the 1934 model stands as a timeless classic gem. The cars for 2018 have not yet been announced, but they’re guaranteed to be more incredible classics!
Oh, and if thinking about car shows has you dreaming of shopping for a sports car, check out the La Jolla dealerships section in our article about the best used car dealerships in San Diego.
How Can I Enter My Car in the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance?
The 2024 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance registration package for a single vehicle was $395. This included a pair of tickets to the VIP reception on Saturday evening, another pair of tickets to the Concours Entrant Lounge on Sunday, a goody bag, a commemorative ribbon, and a few other goodies.
The Entrant Lounge includes breakfast scones, donuts, coffee, juices, mimosas, bloody Mary’s, and a complimentary lunch.
Named after Pearl Street in La Jolla, Pearl is the unofficial mascot of the various elves on the daily news desk at LaJolla.com. We’re writers, editors, and people who work on websites; sometimes so many people work on one project that no one feels like they should take the credit.
