The Ocean Avenue corridor has been building its neighborhood event calendar for a few years now, and the car show is one of the anchors — a low-key block-party format where the cars park curbside and you walk the strip. Local restaurants and shops stay open, so this doubles as a reason to eat on the avenue. The mix tends toward lowriders, American classics, and Japanese imports, with turnout varying year to year depending on weather. Spring fog is a real possibility; the cars show up anyway.

Practical note: BART to Balboa Park gets you close but the walk is about 10 minutes south. The K/L/M to Ocean Avenue Station drops you right at the heart of it. Don't try to drive in and find parking once the show has blocked off the street — it's a losing game.