Each spring, tens of thousands of riders and fans head to the hills east of Monterey for the Life Time Sea Otter Classic, one of the largest cycling festivals in the world. The 2027 edition runs Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 18, 2027, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
What happens at Sea Otter
- Racing across mountain bike disciplines (cross country, downhill, dual slalom, enduro), gravel, and eMTB.
- Recreational rides, including gran fondos and off-road tours, for riders who want the experience without the race clock.
- A trail run for those on foot.
- The Sea Otter Expo, with more than 1,100 brands, demo bikes, and new gear to test.
Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the official festival page. Schedules can shift, so check the site in the weeks before you go.
Planning tips
- Buy passes and parking online. Four-day festival passes are sold online only, in advance, and reserved parking passes went on sale October 6, 2026. Without a reserved pass you will be directed to general parking.
- Register early if you are riding. Race, ride, and run registration is open now on seaotterclassic.com, with early bird pricing.
- Expect sun, wind, and dust. Laguna Seca sits inland on Highway 68, and can be warmer and windier than the coast. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, and a layer for the evening.
- Leave time for the coast. After a day at the track, head back toward town for dinner on Fisherman’s Wharf or Cannery Row.
Where to stay
Our North Fremont Street hotels are the closest Otter properties to Highway 68 and Laguna Seca, and the Seaside hotels are a short drive away.
- Scottish Fairway Inn, Pacific Inn, and El Castell Hotel sit side by side on North Fremont Street near Highway 1 and Highway 68.
- Sand Dollar Inn in Seaside offers an outdoor pool and guest laundry, handy after a dusty day at the festival.
Sea Otter weekend books up early across the area. Book directly on each hotel’s website, and see more dates on our events calendar.
