Monterey Auto Week is hard to describe, particularly since it lasts nearly two weeks. And Monterey Auto Week isn’t really an official name, either, because there isn’t an official name to all of the car-related activities on the Monterey Peninsula in August.

Nonetheless, the sensory overload of all things automotive continued with the second Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue.

Porsche and Ferrari were the attractions Monday, Aug. 11 on Ocean Avenue and accompanying side streets in Carmel. And the next day, a multi-marque (1946-1971) was presented.

Both days were car owners’ and enthusiasts’ nirvanas. But the Tuesday gathering was particularly enjoyable, classic Volkswagen Beetles to a rare Kaiser Darrin, pristine Mercedes Benz coupes to an early Toyota Corolla, a prime example of the best-selling car ever made.

But what of the rest of the 10 days of automobile stuff? It began with pre-historics at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (before the official starting dates) and ended with the granddaddy of offerings, the famed Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, Aug. 17 at Pebble Beach.

Without an umbrella group overseeing the marketing, it seems like every event was out for itself. Which makes sense, since word on the street is that many of event organizers don’t get along.

Organizers of the Concours On The Avenue received keen reviews, particularly for a second-year event. And in its slick and informative magazine, a reprinted article about the inaugural event recapped it well. Author William Edgar wrote:

“Ten fabulous days in August frame the Monterey Pre-Historic and Historic Automobile Races, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, sundry vintage car auctions, tribute galas, corporate summits and elite dinners.”

Edgar got nearly everything in 28 words. Nonetheless, the Monterey Auto Weeks, Monterey Ten-Day Automania or whatever. It’s hard to beat even for someone with a mild interest in cars. But it’s finding a good name that’s proving difficult.

Between early week Carmel events and the Sunday finale at Pebble Beach were two dozen or other car-related activities, including: three days of historic racing and guest appearances at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, an over-the-top Land Rover party at Casa Palmero and The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge.

Attainable vintage cars and rare classics were everywhere on the peninsula — Ferrari to Maserati, Volkswagen (yes, Volkswagen) to my favorite car of the show, the Kaiser Darrin.

But whatever you like, it was like on the peninsula during Monterey Auto Week or whatever you wish to call it.