Posted by Founder, Bicycling Monterey

Sea Otter Classic history and 2025 tips

Below learn some history on the annual Sea Otter Classic, and get tips on free admission.

[Update: Did you miss the 2025 SOC? Hear from some of the people there in our short videos on Languages and Countries, Women, and Youth, along with some videos and photos in First-Timers and Long-Timers.]

Mark your calendar for Sea Otter Classic 2026, scheduled for April 16-19.

In Monterey County, as spring wildflowers bloom, a spring highlight for bicycling enthusiasts also arrives: Sea Otter Classic.

April 10-13 is the 2025 Sea Otter Classic, Monterey County’s 4-day celebration of cycling—eagerly anticipated by Bicycling Monterey and others each year. Below, get glimpses of SOC history, and learn how to get free admission.

On March 23 we were chatting with the cycling duo below: Salinas residents David, a teacher, and his daughter, Priscilla, home on spring break from her CalPoly classes. Among the topics we touched on was Sea Otter Classic.

SOC is a world-renowned event that even many bike-loving Monterey County residents haven’t yet attended. We think that’s in part because of a lingering mistaken impression that SOC is only about racing, when it’s so much more. Many of us consider SOC one big bike party!

What types of bicycling and bike enthusiasts is Sea Otter for and about? All types! As a previous SOC attendee, Detox of Southern California, emphasized: “Sea Otter Classic can be for anybody!” To hear his remarks, click here.

Glimpses of SOC history

For SOC history, see “Generations of Cycling.” For more recent history, see https://bikemonterey.org/category/bike-monterey-county/events/sea-otter-classic, including Scenes from 2024 Sea Otter Classic.

Tips on how to get free admission to Sea Otter Classic

Children 12 and younger are admitted free on all four days.

For ages 15 and older, you can earn free admission to SOC 2025 by volunteering through Sea Otter Classic Foundation. Volunteers earn a free 4-day festival pass, plus other perks. Contact Jeff Lindenthal at the Sea Otter Classic Foundation to learn about volunteer opportunities for individuals, or volunteering on behalf of an organization: https://www.socfdn.org/faq

Can’t volunteer this year? See how to get free admission on Family Day https://www.seaotterclassic.com/kids-stuff/.

Some years there have been other ways to get free admission too (e.g., Earth Day tire/tube recycling mentioned here). For any such tips for 2025, watch SOC’s social media or contact SOC via their website: https://SeaOtterClassic.com.

Of course, another option is to purchase a festival pass. For details on passes, plus general info, start with: https://www.seaotterclassic.com/festival-info