This year’s Rally4Kids is not just an event, it is a full experience.

Rally4Kids 2026 brings together car enthusiasts, community leaders, generous supporters, and an incredible cause for one unforgettable weekend.

Join us for an epic rally, a beautiful gala, and a chance to make a real difference for the kids of Santa Barbara County.

The Rally

The 2026 Rally4Kids rally will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026.

This year’s rally will cover approximately 225 miles of some of the most scenic roads in California, with none of the route on Highway 101. The day will begin in downtown Carpinteria, where participants will enjoy breakfast, pastries, coffee, and juice before heading out.

Drivers will be able to choose their preferred start times between 7:45 AM and 9:00 AM, departing in groups of about eight cars every 15 minutes.

Along the way, there will be several planned stops to stretch your legs, take in the scenery, and participate in fun games for the chance to earn the title of Rally Champion.

This year’s route is intentionally longer than in past years and is designed as a destination rally, ending at the Cerro Hotel in San Luis Obispo. A gourmet mid-afternoon lunch will be served on the rooftop lounge overlooking beautiful SLO. Participants will also have the option, at their own expense, to stay overnight at the hotel and continue the festivities into the evening, or head back to Santa Barbara afterward.

Moving the rally to the day before the gala enables a more interesting and longer drive, a much better lunch, avoids the rush to get home to get ready for the gala and is far easier on the small staff of the club to manage.

The driver’s meeting will take place on the morning of the rally, and decals and instructions will be available for pickup a few days before the event. They can be affixed the morning of the rally if you need assistance. This change eliminates the need for the driver’s event the night before the rally.

The rally will be limited to 50 cars, so early registration is encouraged.

The Gala

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Rally4Kids continues with an evening gala designed to be just as memorable as the drive itself.

The theme this year is The Grand Tour Gala – an evening around the world, featuring culinary delights inspired by countries throughout the world. The gala will take place at The Great Meadow at Santa Barbara City College, overlooking the channel and harbor. The open-air setting will provide a spectacular backdrop for the cars that participated in the rally the day before.

Guests can expect an evening filled with incredible food, music, dancing, an exciting live auction, breathtaking views, and special performances and surprises throughout the night.