The 20 Year Legacy of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance
What began as a small community car show on the grass overlooking La Jolla Cove has grown into one of the most celebrated collector car events in the United States. Now celebrating its 20th year April 24 – 26, 2026, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance stands as a world-class automotive showcase and a celebrated annual tradition for the San Diego region.
The idea first emerged in 2003, when a group of La Jolla merchants gathered at George’s at the Cove to find ways to draw visitors to the village during the quiet winter season. The concept they landed on was simple: an oceanfront car show at Ellen Browning Scripps Park overlooking the Pacific.
With the support of the local merchant’s association and longtime San Diego event producer Laurel McFarlane – who continues to produce the event today – the inaugural La Jolla Motor Car Classic debuted in January 2005 with roughly 50 cars owned largely by local collectors. Owners stood beside their cars on the open lawn, neighbors and visitors wandered freely through the park, and hot rods shared space with antiques and classic automobiles.
“What started as a local car show overlooking the Pacific has become one of the most distinctive concours in the country,” said Laurel McFarlane, Concours Director of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance and Founder of The Shift Studio. “The setting is extraordinary, but what defines this event is the experience bringing together exceptional automobiles, passionate collectors, and a community that continues to shape what it is today and where it is going.
Recognizing the potential of the clifftop oceanfront setting at La Jolla Cove, organizers began working with prominent Southern California collectors to elevate the caliber of automobiles and judging standards. Within a few years, the event expanded into a full weekend experience featuring a coastal driving tour, hospitality events, and a juried competition.
In 2009, the La Jolla Historical Society assumed stewardship of the event, ensuring that the Concours would not only celebrate automotive history but also contribute directly to preserving the cultural heritage of La Jolla. Michael Dorvillier’s involvement in 2010 took the event to new heights, and in 2012, he officially rebranded the event as a Concours d’Elegance – a French term meaning “competition of elegance,” in which cars are judged on their authenticity, originality, and style.
“What makes the La Jolla Concours special is the combination of world-class automobiles and an extraordinary coastal setting,” said Michael Dorvillier, honoree chair of the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. “From the beginning, we knew the location at La Jolla Cove was something truly unique, and it gave us the opportunity to grow the event into the world-class concours it is today.”
Over the past two decades, the event has grown into a national destination for collectors and enthusiasts, drawing over 200 rare and historically significant automobiles from around the world to the lawn of Ellen Browning Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove. This year, TripAdvisor named La Jolla Cove the number one beach in the US, cementing the La Jolla Concours as one of the most picturesque concourses in the country.
The event continues to invest in the next generation of automotive enthusiasts through its youth judging program, which invites students and young collectors to participate in the evaluation of concours vehicles alongside international judges.
Today, the event is the result of a collaborative effort involving a 24-person committee and more than 250 dedicated volunteers who contribute their time each year.
As the event looks toward the decades ahead, that original vision remains unchanged: bringing extraordinary cars and the people who love them together in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Tickets for the 2026 La Jolla Concours d’Elegance are now available at www.lajollaconcours.com.
Category: Entertainment, Events, Historical, Life Style, Local News, Vehicles
