This Must Be The World’s Best Parade of Cars

Photography by Afshin Behnia

To call something “the best” isn’t something we take lightly. But watching some of the world’s most beautiful and significant vehicles parade by us as we sat near the coast is an experience that’s tough to beat.

The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, is an annual driving event that is well-attended both by drivers who have entered vehicles into the concours and local residents. Concours entrants take their vehicles on the Tour for an added scoring bonus at the Concours. Residents attend because, well, where else can you see a parade of multi-million dollar vehicles pass by your front door?

The aim is, as the Tour says, to showcase the elegance of the automobile in motion, in the Monterey landscape that has been long-known for its picturesque scenery. The views truly are awe-inspiring, especially after we followed the Tour down toward Big Sur.

The simple beauty of these photos may hide the fact that the logistics of hosting such an event are mind-boggling. From the carefully-grouped cars—Pre-Wars are slower, remember—to the artful police escort, it was an impressive sight. As far as parades go, it’s tough to top the Tour.

The Tour d’Elegance is held every year in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

This isn’t the only event that has us breathless in Monterey. Read our guide for more on why the region is a must-visit for enthusiasts.