Every August, Monterey County trades its coastal calm for the gleam of chrome and the hum of engines. Monterey Car Week, returning August 8–17, 2025, is far more than a series of automotive events—it’s a celebration of design, performance, and history that draws discerning travelers, collectors, and industry insiders from around the world. For those seeking to do it right, it’s not just about where you go, but how you arrive—and where you stay.

Enter Bernardus Lodge & Spa, a Forbes Four-Star, Michelin Two Key-recommended hideaway in Carmel Valley, offering guests a rare combination of wine country serenity and high-octane convenience. Set against rolling vineyards and just a scenic drive away from Car Week’s main events, Bernardus is a destination in itself, thoughtfully positioned at the intersection of hospitality, wellness, and performance.

Monterey Car Week, running August 8–17, 2025, is not a single event, but a constellation of curated experiences that transform California’s central coast into an international epicenter of automotive design, culture, and performance. While the week includes dozens of collector meetups, industry unveilings, rallies, and pop-ups, a few events anchor the calendar with global prestige.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – August 17

Now in its 74th edition, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance remains the crown jewel of the week—a gathering that has redefined what it means to celebrate the automobile. Held on the 18th fairway of the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, the Concours showcases the finest collector cars from around the world, many of which compete for the coveted Best of Show. Since its founding in 1950, it has become a benchmark for elegance, rarity, and provenance in the automotive world.

RM Sotheby’s Auction – August 15–16

As one of the most anticipated sales in the collector car calendar, RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction consistently draws rare marques, historic race cars, and private collections into a high-stakes bidding arena. Known for setting world records and commanding a global audience, the event is both a marketplace and a spectacle, with an atmosphere that combines the intensity of art auctions with the drama of motorsport history.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – August 15

Held on the expansive lawns of Quail Lodge & Golf Club, this invite-only gathering is known for its curated display of rare automobiles and motorcycles, coupled with fine dining and luxury lifestyle activations. Now celebrating over two decades, The Quail balances exclusivity with community, offering guests a chance to explore automotive excellence in a garden party setting.

Monterey Motorsports Festival – August 16

One of the newer, high-energy additions to the week, the Monterey Motorsports Festival delivers a more immersive, open-format experience. Expect a 22-acre showcase of hypercars, race machines, classic icons, and electric vehicles—alongside live music, family-friendly entertainment, and the can’t-miss Exotic Car Rally and Parade. It’s where festival culture meets horsepower.

Tucked into Carmel Valley, Bernardus Lodge & Spa offers a sophisticated yet understated alternative to the bustle of the peninsula. Just far enough to feel secluded—but close enough to stay in the action—the resort sets the tone for a Car Week done right.

The Mercedes-Benz guest fleet, available exclusively to Bernardus guests, is not just a perk—it’s a lifestyle detail that blends convenience with cachet. From cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway in a Maybach to heading out for a wine tasting or rally event in a luxury coupe, the complimentary vehicle program transforms local travel into part of the experience. Only seven hotels globally offer this partnership.

On-property, Bernardus leans into the richness of Central California’s terroir. The culinary heart of the resort, Lucia Restaurant & Bar, brings seasonal ingredients to the forefront with a menu that balances refinement and rustic character. With a 15,000-bottle wine cellar and the renowned Chef’s Table (signed by icons including Julia Child and Leonardo DiCaprio), the dining experience here is as intentional as any concours lineup.

For moments of retreat between the auctions and adrenaline, The Spa at Bernardus offers a welcome pause. Guests can indulge in treatments guided by the resort’s garden-to-table wellness philosophy, including new offerings like tarot readings, brainwave vibration meditation, and manifestation rituals—blending spiritual clarity with physical care in a setting framed by sunshine and silence.

With Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach all within close reach, Bernardus allows guests to weave leisure and spectacle seamlessly. It’s the kind of place that understands the pace of Monterey Car Week—and matches it with its own rhythm of elegance and ease.