Rallye Des Légendes Richard Mille Makes U.S. Debut With California Luxury Car Rally

The Rallye des Légendes Richard Mille began with a straightforward idea: create a laid-back, one-of-a-kind road trip where car lovers could connect over their shared passion for amazing cars and stunning scenery. Since kicking off in 2018, the rally has drawn in people looking for exclusive access to Europe’s most beautiful and hidden routes. From the start, the Rallye des Légendes has drawn rare, head-turning cars—from vintage classics to state-of-the-art supercars.

The event has taken drivers through some of Europe’s most iconic spots, like the sun-soaked French Riviera, the majestic Swiss Alps, and the winding roads of Italy’s Lake Como. Each year, the rally has grown, bringing together collectors, drivers, and adventure seekers from all over the world. It is no coincidence that cars and watches go hand in hand, which is why Richard Mille has supported this invitation-only rally since its inception.

“At Richard Mille, we are passionate about many universes, and cars have been part of our story from the very beginning. Automotive events are the best way for us to share our passion with our clients and our partners.”

This year, the rally made an exciting leap across the Atlantic for its first-ever run on American soil, bringing its legendary energy and spirit to the stunning Pacific Coast. With Peter Auto’s expertise in tour management and Richard Mille’s meticulous event execution, the experience was virtually guaranteed to be a success. Amanda Mille, Director of Brand and Partnerships at Richard Mille, shared her insights on the reasons behind this exciting change in location. “It has been already a few years that the Rally des Legendes has been created in Europe, it’s an amazing and exclusive experience that we wanted to bring to other parts of the world. We are delighted that our partner for the Americas, Mr. John Simonian believed in it too.”

I was incredibly fortunate to be part of this historic U.S. debut, experiencing firsthand the thrill and camaraderie that makes this event unforgettable. I teamed up with a girlfriend who was also passionate about cars and loved to travel. This edition led us on a journey from the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California, through coastal towns and scenic countryside, all the way to the picturesque vineyards of Napa Valley. Staying true to the rally’s roots, the American edition focused on adventure, jaw-dropping views, exceptional cuisine and accommodations, and a shared love of cars – not on competing to the finish line.

During this five-day adventure, we cruised up the coast in our vintage 1960s gold Cadillac, complete with classic bench seating and—thankfully—power steering, covering a total of 700 miles. This rally isn’t about rushing—it’s about slowing down, taking in the views, and enjoying every exclusive stop along the way. Our adventure kicked off at Shutters on the Beach, where each of us was given driving gloves, a compass (which I hoped I wouldn’t need!), and a leather-bound road book to guide us through five days of breathtaking California scenery.

On Day 1, we drove away from the bustling streets of Santa Monica in our classic convertible, winding through the serene Santa Monica Mountains and feeling a bit like the characters from Thelma and Louise. We alternated between driving and navigating, each taking our turn behind the wheel while swapping control of the music playlist along the way. We arrived to a beautiful dinner under the stars at Belmond’s luxurious El Encanto resort. After a good night’s sleep, we woke up at the crack of dawn, cruised along Santa Barbara’s misty coastline, and made our way to the iconic Pebble Beach via the famous 17-Mile Drive. Each leg brought something new—from playing a round of golf with pro golfer Cristie Kerr at The Lodge at Pebble Beach to taking on the twisting curves of Highway 1, with the Pacific Ocean’s waves crashing against rugged cliffs below.

The next couple of days took us from the coast to the vineyards, with a scenic lunch overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge before we finally arrived in Napa Valley, famous for its world-class wine. Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge in a convertible on a stunning California day was a dream come true, an iconic bucket-list moment -and doing it with the old and new friends I had made was special, a reminder of the friendships and shared adventure that made this rally so unforgettable.

With 20 cars in the lineup—from vintage American classics to sleek modern supercars like Ferraris and McLarens—the rally became a moving exhibit of automotive history and innovation. Each stop was chosen to bring us closer to the culture and capture the unique qualities of each location. Each meal was a meticulously planned, luxuriously executed affair that felt more like a wedding than a car rally. From the hand-drawn menus to the cashmere shawls draped over chairs to ward off the evening California chill, no detail was spared.

From a delicious lunch and exclusive vineyard tour at Daou Family Estate to a charming visit to the small town of Calistoga, and an intimate dinner at Promontory, one of Napa’s most renowned wineries, each moment left a lasting impression.

Our two-night stay at the stunning Stanly Ranch was the perfect finale to our California adventure. Standing beneath the grand Infinity sculpture at the vineyard’s summit, I couldn’t help but see it as a symbol for the lasting memories we had created. Each moment deepened our connection to the scenery, the region, and to each other—memories as timeless as the classic cars that carried us through this unforgettable journey. When asked how she and the attendees perceived the inaugural U.S. edition of the rally, Amanda Mille beamed and said, “I am impressed by the sceneries in California! We were lucky enough to discover these magnificent landscapes, and the selection of cars we had did make it very special. Judging by the feedback we received, this first American edition was a real success. To be continued… “