Cruisin’ Grand Squeals into Escondido

Rev your engines and slam on the accelerator; let your inner gearhead fly at Cruisin’ Grand of Escondido, the annual summer car extravaganza that takes place every Friday for twenty-seven straight weeks. From ’67 convertibles to souped up ‘Stangs, Cruisin’ Grand offers a myriad of custom and classic cars from throughout history gathered along the striking main street of downtown Escondido.

Cruisin’ Grand boasts a touching backstory briefer than the lives of the cars showcased, but no less sentimental. The event began in April 2000, created by local car enthusiast Steve Waldron. In love with the hot rod atmosphere and overcome by an itch for old-fashioned cars, Waldron spent his youth driving down Grand Avenue and imagining the street lined with classic cars from all eras. His obsession started when he was young, says Waldron, "I was always taken to the races when I was a kid. My dad was really into that culture, so it was always in my blood. I thought downtown Escondido had a perfect ambiance for a cruise night."

Thus began Waldron’s quest to implement a weekly family- friendly night filled with ostentatious automobiles. Though hesitant about creating a large-scale event at first, Waldron quickly dove in. Working with the now defunct Downtown Business Association, Waldron arranged for Friday nights throughout the summer to fill Grand Avenue with classic cars. With the help of friends, Waldron picked up permits, hurried to spread the word, crossed his fingers and waited. "It was up to me to call everyone I knew with a hot rod for the first night," he explains. "[Those were] humble beginnings." Yet those humble beginnings became immediate success; that first night saw over 50 classic cars lining Grand Avenue, and Cruisin’ Grand has continued to grow ever since.

It took years of work for Cruisin’ Grand to become the San Diego staple it is today—over 200,000 people attend each year—and Waldron insists it was all worthwhile. For him, Cruisin’ Grand is a unifying force for both the city of Escondido and for people enamored with automobiles. "For people who weren’t raised around the hot rod culture, I hope they can see that this is part of their American heritage. These cars were manufactured pre-world war, some post-war... I hope people can see these classic cars and [understand] the love hot rodders have for them."

More than just a classic car show, Cruisin’ Grand offers live music, prize-laden contests and theme nights during the twenty- seven week spectacular. Take a picturesque stroll through the decades alongside Escondido’s Grand Avenue, the smell of fresh petrol and slick car wax thick in the air. Cruisin’ Grand runs until September 30th, ending with the famous Nitro Night, which features nitro-burning rear engine dragster cars. 

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