Sea Otter Festival
GENERAL INFO AND SCHEDULE
The Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental is a “celebration of cycling”! It’s a festival for anyone who enjoys or appreciates the bicycle and outdoor adventures. Whether a cyclist or a spectator, folks of all ages can share in the excitement and camaraderie of the Sea Otter Classic. If you love the idea of being part of a cool scene with active people who all share a passion for bicycles and the outdoors—come! Sea Otter is for road, gravel and mountain bikers. It’s for kids, commuters and recreational cyclists, and, yes, the Sea Otter Classic draws the very best racers—both amateurs and pros. No other event gives you such up-close access to your cycling heroes!
The Sea Otter Classic mostly takes place at Weathertech Laguna Seca Raceway, 1021 Monterey Salinas Highway, Salinas, CA 93908. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Please note: the schedule is subject to change – check back often for any daily schedule updates/changes.
EXPO
The Sea Otter Expo, the hub of the event, pulses with hundreds of exhibitors displaying new products, offering free bike demos & samples and exciting stunt shows. The woom Kids’ Zone is packed with activities while riders zoom around the Laguna Seca Raceway. Expo hotspots are the international food court, the Sea Otter Club, the Sierra Nevada beer garden, and the awards stadium. Hundreds of professional athletes are present to share their racing techniques and sign autographs. No other event gives you such close-up access to your favorite brands and cycling heroes!
- Accessories & Apparel – Eyewear, Footwear, Helmets, Etc.
- Bicycles – Cruisers, Electric, Kids’, Mountain, Tandem, Road, Urban, Etc.
- Cargo – Bike Trailers, Child Seats, Joggers, Etc.
- Components – Brakes, Forks, Pedals, Saddles, Etc.
- Energy Supplements and Nutrition
- Industry Associations and Nonprofits
- Media, Magazines, and Blogs
- Outdoor – Camping, Hiking, Etc.
- Tech – Wearable Technology, Navigation, Cycling Devices
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
FESTIVAL PASS
1-day Festival Pass is $30 pre-event and $35 on-site.
4-day Festival Pass pre-event online price is $100. Not available on-site.
Children age 12 and under, free all week.
Each athlete (both competitive racers and recreational riders) will receive 1 complimentary four-day festival pass. Festival Passes will not be mailed prior to the event.
Festival passes can be picked up at Will Call or at any festival entrance. Visit the Getting In And Around page for full details. Please note: One-day festival passes are valid for any day of the event, regardless of the date on your confirmation email.
On-site Pass sales will start on the first day of the Festival at 8 a.m. and are located at the Expo entrance gates and inside the Athlete Registration building.
LIVE SHOWS
At Sea Otter, you’ll be able to experience live performances, right in the expo area. Each year, talented athletes from all over the world take to Sea Otter to perform astonishing and incredible feats of biking! From Trials shows to arial acrobatics to wheelie and bunny hop competitions, there is so much for you to experience at Sea Otter.
We’ve listed some of the scheduled events that you can expect to see at the festival below, but be on the lookout, as there’s always something unexpected happening around the venue as well!
LOCATION: Moss Performance Area
- Thursday, April 18th @ 3pm
- Friday, April 19th @ 10:30am and 2pm
- Saturday, April 20th @ 11am and 3pm
- Sunday, April 21st @ 11am
Kenny Belaey and Hyper Bikes Trials and BMX Show:
LOCATION: Lime Performance Area
- Thursday, April 18th @ 2pm
- Friday, April 19th @ 11:30am and 1:30pm
- Saturday, April 20th @ 10:30am and 1:30pm
- Sunday, April 21st @ 11:30am
NOTE: schedules subject to change
Food and Beverage
There’s no doubt that the excitement of Sea Otter works up an appetite. What better way to satisfy your cravings than with some delicious food from over a dozen local food vendors? Find it all at one of Sea Otter’s four convenient food courts: Sierra Nevada Beer Garden, Brews and Bites, The Feed Zone or the Village Food Court. Enjoy a selection of Sierra Nevada beer at each location!
Sierra Nevada Beer Garden
Sierra Nevada’s Beer Garden is a terrific spot for viewing some of the best cycling and people-watching. It’s located on the edge of the Expo, so you have a window on lots of exciting Expo activities! Food vendors at Sierra Nevada’s Beer Garden serve up tasty barbecue, along with many other menu items. There are picnic tables and an indoor dining area, too. Grab a seat and enjoy a tasty Sea Otter Ale!
Brews and Bites
No matter your dietary needs, food preferences or age, Brews & Bites is a place that the entire family can enjoy. The chefs will have vegan, vegetarian and meat items for everyone to dig into. From salads and smoothies to traditional festival food, find it all at Brews & Bites. Last but not least, a selection of Sierra Nevada beer will be available for thirsty guests over 21 years of age.
Village Food Court
Catch all the award presentations and have a bite to eat at the same time in the Village Food Court. Conveniently located in Athlete Village near the stage, you can watch the award ceremonies following each race while enjoying lunch with the entire family or group. There are plenty of vegetarian and non-veggie items to nosh and a selection of Sierra Nevada beer.
The Feed Zone
Hungry parents don’t have to travel far to snag some ice cream or Dippin’ Dots and other eats at the Feed Zone. Located right next to the Kids Zone, the Feed Zone is full of both kid-friendly food for kids of all ages and you may even catch Skipper the Sea Otter there for a fun family photo opp.
Dog Policy
Sorry, dogs are not allowed in the Festival-Expo-Sea Otter Village, including the racing areas. This will be strictly enforced. The only area at Laguna Seca Recreation Area where dogs will be allowed—although not recommended—is at the owner’s campsite and owner’s specific (reserved) campground. Dogs must be leashed at all times. For details, please refer to the Dogs at Campsites—Rules and Regulations. Non-residents who prefer to lodge with their pet, and are seeking an alternative to camping at Laguna Seca, will be glad to know that some lodging providers who offer discounted rates to Sea Otter visitors are also pet-friendly, including Hyatt Regency, Monterey; Los Laureles Lodge, Carmel Valley; and Mariposa Inn and Suites, Monterey.
If you are looking forward to also visiting other Monterey County recreational areas during Sea Otter week—perhaps including a walk on the beach with your four-legged friend—check out the Bring Fido’s list of pet-friendly recreation areas. Hot tip: If Carl and Daisy are hoping to make some new canine friends, they’ll find Carmel Beach is dog heaven!