A hand-built Bugatti. A pre-war Rolls-Royce with sweeping, sculpted lines. A Delahaye. A Mercedes-Benz from the 1920s and 1930s, restored to exacting standards — like a touch of old Hollywood grandeur in Sunset Boulevard, with Gloria Swanson being driven in a stately Isotta Fraschini.
And just steps away, a modern hypercar worth several million dollars, shaped more like a spacecraft than a traditional automobile.
For one weekend each year, Scripps Park becomes something closer to a living archive than a car show. The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance returns for its 20th year this April 24, bringing together a century of automotive history — from early European craftsmanship to contemporary engineering — set against the Pacific.
Early days
What began 20 years ago as a local effort to draw visitors to La Jolla during the slower off-season has grown into one of the country’s most respected concours events.
Businessman Michael Dorvillier, one of the event’s key organizers and honorary chairman, said it originally launched as the La Jolla Motor Car Classic under a local community group to increase foot traffic in the village.
After about six years, the La Jolla Historical Society took over, shifting the event into a formal concours focused on authenticity and historical accuracy.
“I said yes, [to helping organize and get it off the ground] but only if we could take it to the next level,” Dorvillier, a longtime La Jollan, said, describing the transition from a casual show to a judged competition.
Beyond a traditional car show
Unlike traditional car shows, concours events emphasize originality and authenticity, with modifications often disqualifying vehicles.
“There are 16 classes of cars,” Dorvillier said. “Each one is judged separately by experts who specialize in those eras.”
Classes range from pre-war European automobiles to modern hypercars produced in extremely limited numbers. Vehicles are evaluated by volunteer judges from across the United States and abroad.
The event has evolved into a nationally recognized showcase, drawing cars shipped in from across the country and generating thousands of hotel room nights for the region.
Organizers say the overall experience is just as important as the vehicles themselves. Hospitality suites, curated food and beverage offerings, and champagne gardens are designed to appeal to both enthusiasts and casual attendees.
“The challenge is, how do you get someone who doesn’t care about cars to still love this event?” Dorvillier said. “You do it through experience.”
At its core, the Concours remains connected to the village. A street-level display links Scripps Park to Prospect Street, tying the event to local businesses and galleries.
A setting that sets it apart
This black Mercedes won best in show last year, and here it is accepting an award. (Photo courtesy of La Jolla Concours d’Elegance)Rancho Santa Fe-based auto enthusiast Bill Ceno, a Ferrari and Porsche collector who has shown cars at the event for years, said the location enhances the experience.
“We really enjoy showing our cars against the wonderful ocean backdrop at the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. Because the entrance fee is very reasonable, we get to share car stories with folks of all ages. And the La Jolla hotels, restaurants, and shops are just a short walk past the many special cars parked along Coast Blvd.”
Dorvillier, who is a wealth manager with Symbio Financial Partners in La Jolla, said the event also became a way to give back to the community.
“I was looking for a way to give back that checked a lot of boxes,” he said.
As the event marks its 20th year, he said its continued success comes from balancing preservation with broader appeal — celebrating automotive history while welcoming a wider audience.
“You don’t have to be a car person,” Dorvillier said. “You just have to appreciate the artistic beauty.”
The La Jolla Concours d’Elegance takes place at Scripps Park in La Jolla. Event details are typically announced in advance and include general admission, VIP experiences, and related programming along Prospect Street.
Fun facts
959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB ‘Tour de France‘
GT class winner at the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans (3rd overall) and class winner at the Nürburgring 1,000 km, driven by Belgian team Léon Dernier and Jean Blaton for Ecurie Francorchamps; chassis 1321 GT.
1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster
One of only 26 built (fewer than 15 in this configuration), originally delivered to German industrialist Alfred H. Schutt in 1937 and later owned by General William Lyon, who personalized it with “4 WILLA DEAN” plates in honor of his wife.
Event information
Event: La Jolla Concours d’Elegance — April 24 Location: Scripps Park, La Jolla Setting: Coast Boulevard and the surrounding Prospect Street area.More information can be found here.
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