Performance car on an open road
Automotive Orange County

Worth waking up early for.

Cars and coffee, old-school cruise nights, major shows, and the local gatherings that keep OC car culture moving.

See this weekend’s lineup
September 25 to 27

This weekend behind the wheel.

This is a good Saturday to be a car person. You’ve got Porsches parked beside vintage aircraft, a hometown classic car show with chili nearby, and another laid-back community show down in Huntington Beach.

Saturday, Sept. 26 · 10 a.m. to noon Santa Ana

Porsches on the Flightline

A very cool pairing of Porsches and historic aircraft right on the Lyon Air Museum flightline. Museum admission is $15 for adults, with discounted youth, senior, and veteran tickets.

Check event details
Saturday, Sept. 26 · noon to 7 p.m. Cypress

Cypress Community Festival Classic Car Show

Up to 100 classic cars roll into Oak Knoll Park alongside chili tasting, live entertainment, vendors, and the city’s 70th birthday celebration. Admission is free.

Check event details
Saturday, Sept. 26 · 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Huntington Beach

Parish Fest & Car Show

A laid-back community car show at St. Vincent de Paul with classics, food, drawings, and carnival games. The organizer does not list an admission price.

Check event details

Schedules were checked September 22, 2026. It is always smart to confirm with the organizer before heading out.

The reliable regulars

Upcoming recurring meets.

These are the gatherings you can build a weekend around without waiting for a big annual show.

Friday nights 4 to 8 p.m.

Main Street Classic Car Show

Historic Main Street, Garden Grove

A walkable weekly cruise with classics, live music, raffles, and rotating themed nights.

Sept. 25; Oct. 2 and 9
View schedule
Saturday mornings About 6 to 9 a.m.

Donut Derelicts

Adams Avenue Donuts, Huntington Beach

The old-school OC gathering for hot rods, classics, coffee, and donuts. The early crowd is part of the experience.

Sept. 26; Oct. 3 and 10
View schedule
Saturday mornings 9 to 11 a.m.

South OC Cars & Coffee

Outlets at San Clemente

A huge weekly mix of exotics, classics, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles, and just about everything else. The official schedule lists Saturdays, rain or shine.

Sept. 26; Oct. 3 and 10
View schedule
Great OC drives

Take the long way.

A few local roads worth driving when the destination is not really the point. We will rotate this list as the seasons change.

Canyon loop

Santiago Canyon and Live Oak Canyon

Irvine Regional Park to O’Neill Regional Park

A close-to-home run through rolling foothills, oak-lined bends, and some of the best back-road scenery in inland OC.

Coastal cruise

Pacific Coast Highway

Dana Point to Huntington Beach

Ocean views, beach towns, and plenty of worthwhile stops. Take it north for the long version or turn around in Laguna Beach for a shorter cruise.

Short and twisty

Carbon Canyon Road

Brea to Chino Hills

A compact canyon drive with tight curves and a surprisingly rural feel between north OC and Chino Hills.

Road conditions can change. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you go, obey posted limits, and keep it easy through neighborhoods and canyon roads.

Know a good one?

Tell me what should be on the list.

If there is a local meet, drive, shop event, or show I should know about, send it my way.

Tell Mike