Get your motor running

San Diego's car cruises, auto shows and vehicle museums are the perfect way to spend a blissful day or evening checking out everything from classics to the latest and greatest vehicles.

San Diego International Auto Show

Where the cars are the stars! The annual San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof. The vehicles showcase the newest levels of technology that enhance the driving experience, packaged in luxurious interiors and wrapped in cutting-edge designs. Both new car and truck models from over 30 manufacturers are featured, as well as the cars and trucks of tomorrow, with EVs and concept vehicles from a number of manufacturers. In between viewing all the cars on display, make sure to participate in the many interactive activities and family entertainment available.

When: Late December to Early January
Where: San Diego Convention Center - 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

GoodGuys Meguiar's Del Mar Nationals

It's a full weekend of roddin' at the beach in ol' Del Mar, with more than 3,000 cars, indoor and outdoor car shows, plus vendor exhibits, a swap meet and Cars 4 Sale Corral, Goodguys AutoCross, nightly parties, special woody exhibit, live music, model car show and much more!

When: Spring
Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds - 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014

MotorCars on Main Street

An institution for 20+ years, this popular classic auto show in Coronado features more than 400 pre-1973 hotrods, convertibles, roadsters, trucks and other custom rides on display at Isabella and Orange Avenues.

When: April
Where: Isabella and Orange Avenues, Coronado, CA 92118

Cajon Classic Cruise

Southern California's largest weekly classic car cruise and auto show features over 400 classic and specialty cars on display every Wednesday throughout the summer from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. There is also plenty of live music, food and shopping.

When: Late April-October, Every Wednesday
Where: Main Street and Magnolia, El Cajon, CA 92020

Cruisin' Grand Escondido

One of the greatest ongoing traditions in San Diego County, Cruisin' Grand in Escondido is a free auto show where more than 5,000 visitors and car enthusiasts each Friday night come to check out the 500+ American-made classics, customs, vintage, muscle and hot rods lining the streets of historic downtown Escondido. Car cruise nights run June through September from 5 to 9 p.m.

When: June-September, Every Friday
Where: West Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92027

Encinitas Cruise Nights

The streets of Downtown Encinitas will be rockin' and rollin' when Encinitas Cruise Nights comes to Downtown Encinitas May through September. The third Thursday of each summer month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., hot rods, woodies and other classic and vintage cars will line South Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. They'll be parked in dedicated lots along Coast Highway 101 and on side streets.

When: May-September, Third Thursday
Where: South Coast Highway 101 from D to J Street, Encinitas, CA 92024

San Diego Automotive Museum

A must-stop for car-lovers and history buffs, this museum in beautiful Balboa Park — San Diego’s cultural heart — offers everything from classic autos to video and art presentations to a collection of Indian Motorcycles. And few other museums can boast anything like “Louie Mattar’s Fabulous $75,000 Car” — a 1952 auto oddity that includes an onboard washing machine, a stove, a refrigerator, even a shower!

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Where: 2080 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

J.A. Cooley Museum

With more than two dozen classic vehicles dating mainly from the period 1886 to 1933, this museum in San Diego’s University Heights neighborhood (just a short jaunt from Balboa Park) is a great stop for vintage-car aficionados. Most of the autos are either unrestored, one of a kind or the last of their type in existence. And the museum (nestled next door to Frank the Trainman, a railroad museum under the same ownership) has lots of other fascinating collections of old-time tech, from cuckoo clocks to typewriters to more than 2,000 cameras.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Where: 4233 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92103

Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum

Located in San Diego’s North County community of Escondido, Deer Park is both an award-winning winery and home to what the ownership calls the world’s largest collection of convertibles — more than 100 of them, both vintage and modern. Between the museum and the beautiful vineyard setting (with regular wine events and live music), it’s a fine place to spend a day appreciating cars and more.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays
Where: 29013 Champagne Blvd., Escondido, CA 92026