The Cruisers began in 1988 as a small group of local members of the West Coast Kustoms. This group quickly became a separate club with monthly meetings and social functions throughout the year. The club membership is made up of families seeking the common goal of having good, clean fun while supporting community outreach programs.
The membership base moved from Tracy, where the club was started, towards Livermore where we currently hold our meetings. The Altamont Cruisers officially became a Livermore club in 1994. In 1988, the club decided to help a local family that was having major medical expenses. The club put on a car show to benefit the family. That show was held in Tracy. Following the success of their first, the Cruisers decided to organize a bigger show the following year. That show was held at the Altamont Race Track just west of Tracy. The theme for the show was “Cruisers Against Drugs”, with the proceeds to benefit youth anti-drug programs.
Anti-drug programs in the Tri-Valley area have been the beneficiaries of donations since the club’s inception. The Cruisers have long held the belief that drugs are the single worst threat to our young people. Members believe that a family’s interest in cars and lifestyles based on classic cars is a healthy alternative to drug use and addiction. In 1997 the members began a project rebuilding a 1954 Chevy Sedan Delivery. In 2000, the finished product was proudly presented to the Livermore Police Department to be used as their official D.A.R.E. car, complete with lights, sirens and beautiful painted flames on the hood and sides.
In 1990, the Livermore Chamber of Commerce persuaded the club to bring the car show to downtown Livermore. The club decided to use the title “Nostalgia Day”, while at the same time retaining “Cruisers Against Drugs” as the club’s motto (in 2020, the motto was changed to “Cruisers for Youth and Local Charities”). For seventeen years the club has held Nostalgia Day on the streets of downtown Livermore, where the show has grown to a display of close to 600 custom and classic cars. To date this fundraiser has raised over $540,000 for local organizations that promote the Tri-Valley youth and help strengthen their families. The public is warmly invited to attend the grant presentation in December at the Livermore Police Department.
Besides the annual car show, the club sponsors monthly Cruise-Ins May through September in Livermore in the Chardonnay Shopping Center parking lot on East Avenue in Livermore. The Cruise-ins attract more than 100 cars and the mood is very casual for people to talk and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow car owners. The club also has a number of social events, such as day cruises to interesting locales in the Bay Area, parties and monthly Saturday morning breakfasts. Some of these cruises also involve going as a group to other car clubs’ events and shows.
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in cars. Anyone with an interest in cars is welcome to attend our monthly meetings.
