NEXT PRE-STAGE®:
DECEMBER 21, 2024
What’s Pre-Stage®?
Cars and coffee for people who don’t dig Cars + Coffees.
Pre-Stage is a monthly gathering for driving enthusiasts, with hyper-local coffee (roasted within 2 miles) and pastries served via the Red Whale Coffee truck, set by the lagoon of the stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-penned masterpiece, The Marin County Civic Center.
What’s different about Pre-Stage®?
Pre-Stage® is an automotive gathering for drivers.
It’s no mistake that Pre-Stage is located a mere hop/skip/jump from Northern California’s sublime backroads; head up the road 4 miles and you’ll be on Lucas Valley Road, twisting through the redwoods on your way to endless miles of serpentine asphalt stripped by vineyards, rivers, redwoods, farmland, and the Pacific Coast.
Got some homies you like to hit the b-roads with? Meet up with them at Pre-Stage, grab a coffee, check out the cars, and head out on a drive. Or show up solo - there’ll likely be a couple of folks in cars kinda like yours that’ll be down for a spin out to the coast.
Or maybe you’re the dawn patrol type? Stop by Pre-Stage after your early morning drive to wrap things up with a breakfast burrito; we’ll be there ‘til 10am.
When is Pre-Stage®?
Pre-Stage® is held year-round, from 8am until 10am, 3rd Saturday of each month, rain or shine.
January 20, 2024
February 17, 2024
March 16, 2024
April 20, 2024
May 18, 2024
June 15, 2024
July 20, 2024
August 17, 2024
September 21, 2024
October 19, 2024
November 16, 2024
December 21, 2024
Where is Pre-Stage®?
It’s right here.
Specifically, it’s on Armory Drive, where it intersects with Civic Center Drive, sandwiched in between the lagoon to the North, and the Petanque Court and Dog Park to the south.
Do I have to register to attend Pre-Stage?
Nope, just show up.
Is admittance to Pre-Stage free?
Yep.
Are the coffee and baked goods free?
Nope, but they’re hyper-local and super-delicious; the folks at Red Whale Coffee make sure of it.
Is Pre-Stage Euro-only?
Nope.
Is Pre-Stage vintage-only?
Nope.
Is Pre-Stage sports car-only?
Nope.
What kind of vehicles are welcome, then?
We’re going for an eclectic mix of old and/or interesting vehicles, from the two wheeled to trucks: classic Porsches, Jaguars, Alfas, Datsuns, Fords, etc., modern cars that are rare or in a unique spec, grey market imports, or backyard-modded enthusiast projects, all welcome.
Can I drive around Marin Center like a bat outta hell?
Absolutely not, chief. If that’s your plan, just stay home in your folks’ basement. For the rest of us adults, we can take comfort in the knowledge that Marin Center is scrupulously looked after by the good folks of the Marin County Sheriff's Patrol Division. While we’re on the topic, please treat Marin Center with the utmost respect; place rubbish in supplied bins and, please, do not punish others with your taste in music.
Is there a group drive after Pre-Stage?
Nah. You’re probably getting this mixed up with Breakfast Club Rally®; but we do encourage you to meet up with friends (or make some new ones), and head out on the backroads for a little mechanical exercise. For that very purpose, we’ve got a Suggested Post-Pre-Stage Route from the dudes at BCR, starring some of our go-to roads.
Submit your info in the form below to get the Suggested Post-Pre-Stage Route (we’ll also add you to our newsletter list).
Can I come and just check out the cars?
Absolutely. We ask that cars of the non-Pre-Stage variety (daily drivers, grocery-getters, etc) park outside of the Pre-Stage lot, either along Peter Behr Drive, or in one of the nearby lots.
Is it cool to share photos & vids on socials?
Totally. Please tag Pre-Stage using @prestagegathering and #prestagegathering - we’ll try to share as many posts as possible.
I’ve got a car-related product/business - can I market it to fellow Pre-Stage attendees?
Nope. Pre-Stage has got a strict no-suitcasing policy; only Pre-Stage’s official sponsors are permitted to show off their wares, and only Red Whale Coffee can sell stuff at Pre-Stage. Leave the flyers, FOR SALE signs, stickers, and other branded trinkets at home, and let’s have a super-chill morning together.
For info on becoming an official sponsor of Pre-Stage, drop us a note here.
