Wavecrest Woodie Car Meet Weekend | 2026 | Encinitas, California

Wavecrest Woodie Car Meet Weekend is rolling back into Encinitas with several days dedicated to one of California's most iconic automotive traditions.

Rather than centering on a single car show, this event unfolds across an entire weekend with different gatherings, cruises, and social activities that celebrate classic wood-bodied vehicles. Woodies remain the stars of the show, but the relaxed coastal setting gives the weekend more of a reunion feel than a typical judged event. It's the kind of gathering where longtime owners, enthusiasts, and curious spectators can appreciate both the craftsmanship of these historic wagons and the community that has kept them on the road for generations.

Hosted by San Diego Woodies, the weekend is designed to bring participants together through a series of activities instead of one central event. The schedule begins Thursday with the Encinitas Cruise Night featuring classic Woodies along Highway 101 in Downtown Encinitas. Friday continues with the Wavecrest "Meet & Greet" at The Encinitan Hotel, while Saturday shifts to the Wavecrest Woodie Meet at Moonlight Beach, followed that evening by an informal dinner at one of Encinitas' local restaurants. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with the traditional Woodie Cruise, taking participants on a scenic drive along historic Pacific Coast Highway 101. Since several activities take place over multiple days, attendees should check the organizers' official channels before traveling for any schedule changes or event updates.

Set throughout Encinitas in San Diego County, the locations complement the character of the event particularly well. Downtown streets, the Moonlight Beach parking area, and the scenic coastline all provide fitting backdrops for pre-war and post-war Woodies that were originally built for California's beaches and highways. Whether you're catching the cars during Cruise Night, walking the Saturday meet, or watching the Sunday cruise roll by, each stop offers a different way to experience these distinctive classics.

Some automotive weekends are built around nonstop activity, while others invite you to slow down and enjoy the surroundings. Wavecrest leans comfortably toward the latter, blending Southern California's beach culture with one of the most recognizable chapters of American automotive history in a format that's as much about the people as it is the cars.

Wavecrest Woodie Car Meet Weekend – San Diego County, California

Dates: Thursday, September 17th through Sunday, September 20th, 2026
Location: varies
Admission: HERE
Vehicle Registration: HERE

*Please note: iDriveSoCal is not hosting this car show.  To learn more about the Wavecrest Woodie Car Meet Festival Weekend contact organizers HERE.  Including details about attending and displaying your car.  Also about becoming a car show vendor or sponsor.

Additionally, for more of the best Southern California automotive events click HERE.

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