Cars, Cocktails & Calamari Cruise Into Monterey's Old Fisherman's Wharf During Car Week – August 7-16, 2026

Experience the perfect blend of coastal flavor and classic style as Old Fisherman’s Wharf hosts "Cars, Cocktails & Calamari" during Monterey Car Week, from August 7-16, 2026.

Locals and visitors are invited to stroll the historic Wharf and enjoy an array of car-themed decorations beginning in early August, festive photo ops, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Just steps away at the Custom House Plaza, a stunning collection of classic and collector cars will be on display, with RM Sotheby’s Auction set for August 12-19—and vehicles arriving for setup several days before.  

Honoring Monterey’s reputation as the “Calamari Capital of the World,” Wharf restaurants will feature signature calamari dishes with squid from the Monterey Bay paired in a variety of mouthwatering ways—from crispy to grilled and more—showcasing the region’s rich seafood traditions, available for purchase.

To complement the flavors, some Wharf establishments will also serve creative, car-themed cocktails* (available for purchase) along with exclusive weeklong promotions, offering guests a taste of Car Week in true Wharf style. Below are some calamari dishes available at the Wharf restaurants plus some car-themed cocktails from Old Fisherman's Grotto.

For more information, visit www.montereywharf.com, email [email protected], or call 831-238-0777.

Whether you are here for the cars, the cuisine, or the colorful coastal vibes, Old Fisherman’s Wharf will be decked out and buzzing with energy all week long—making it a great place to visit during Monterey Car Week.

More about Calamari on the Wharf

Calamari, a type of squid, is prepared in various delicious ways and typically available 365 days a year at the Wharf's restaurants with other tasty variations as well. A few current examples (for purchase) include:

Calamari Napolitana over linguine (Abalonetti's Seafood and Grill)

Squid and peas in marinara sauce over fusili pasta (Cafe Fina)

Calamari Sandwich (Crab House)

Calamari and chips with fries (Crab Louie's Bistro)

Lightly seasoned flour and deep fried to golden brown (Crabby Jim's)

Marinated Calamari (Dock Side Fish Market) 

Pan-seared Calamari Steak with garlic butter sauce (Domenico's on the Wharf)

Lightly seasoned calamari strips and tentacles with tartar sauce (Old Fisherman's Grotto)

Calamari Fritti with lemon aioli (Paluca Trattoria)

Fried Calamari with house dipping sauce (Rock Fish Harbor Grill)

The Grotto's themed cocktails during Car Week:

Rolls Royce Phantom Martini

Casamigos Mezcal

Citronge orange Liqueur

Fresh lime juice

Red Ferrari Spritz

Veuve Cliquot Champagne

Aperol Aperitivo

Angostura Bitters

Little Red Corvette

Titto’s Vodka

Sweet n Sour

Black Raspberry

About Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf

Old Fisherman's Wharf, established in 1845, is Monterey’s historic waterfront with 181 years of history celebrating its special anniversary at the Wharf Birthday Party on Sunday, October 11th. Old Fisherman’s Wharf features ten restaurants, four fish markets, three candy stores and seven gift shops, highlighting the region’s seafood cuisine and cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy dining, boat trips, and views of Monterey Bay, along with family-friendly events and activities.

Wildlife enthusiasts can often observe sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and seabirds. The Wharf also offers whale-watching tours, fishing charters, sailing excursions, and glass-bottom boat rides.

Recognized as the "Monterey Whale Watching Capital of the World," Old Fisherman's Wharf attracts around four million visitors annually and was a filming location for HBO's Big Little Lies, Season 1. Over 450 historic photos can be seen in the online photo collection on the History page of MontereyWharf.com and an historic photo contest is also running with details described on an event page on this website. 

Ample prepaid parking is available, and a free MST Trolley operates from Downtown Monterey and Cannery Row to the Wharf through Labor Day weekend.

For more information, visit www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.