#5 - 33 HWY TO SECRET DESTINATION - AUTO ENTHUSIAST GROUP DRIVE
FROM THE BEGINNING
Thanks to Jimmy for setting up this memorable Sunday. My Audi A4 B8 (BB-8) recently hit 194k and I wanted to make 195k as quick as possible while closing in on 200k. The miles added are more memorable on drives like this one. Jimmy made contact about this trip that would start in Ojai and continue up Highway 33 to end at a secretive location. Known to some automotive enthusiast as an escape from LA or rest place if you're on the way there. Jimmy kept his secrets along the way, dropping hints to us about the final destination, without revealing our arrival time or the name of the diner we were heading to. With the ultimate intention to share the location and encourage other enthusiast looking for some great driving roads and destinations.
I'm not sure how Jimmy came up with the group, but he put a great one together, with each of us only knowing him prior to the meetup. It was the right number to get to know one another without being too much to keep up with. The lineup was Jimmy x ND Miata (@jimmyxieart), Hunter x BMW Z4 M Roadster (@msportrevival), Lee x Hyundai Veloster N (leavinghen572), Gavin x Toyota GR86 (@crdzr), and myself in the Audi A4 2.0T B8. We're all based out of different areas of SoCal, from Ojai, Palmdale, Valencia, Central LA, and Huntington Beach. Something I love about LA is how widespread things are, from where we live, to the roads we drive.
MEETING IN OJAI AND TRAVELING UP THE 33
With temps reaching 100 degrees BB-8 managed the drive without issue. Keeping up with the group was another story, but it worked out to be a fun drive, including the moments of solitude. Caution was used to not go too fast trying to keep-up, while continuing at a best pace, knowing a slower driver or construction stop light could yield time to catch up. It was my first time on these roads, as it was for a couple others in the group. We were stopped at about six construction stop-light sections. Averaging four minutes they were good opportunities to stretch the legs, chat, and take some photos, before continuing on our way. The approximate wait times were posted at each stop with the highest reading 15 minutes. There were a couple moments I had to further slow down to catch video and take in the amazing views. I spent some time separated from the group, but most of the time we were on the drive together. The drivers in these areas have great etiquette of letting faster drivers pass them by using the turnouts. This made for an especially positive drive.
The 33 has stunning views and technical roads. There are straights that invite the higher speed travel many of these cars are comfortable maintaining. For BB-8, it was great to get an autobahn vibe there, feeling proud that at 194k miles the engine can still handle something it was made for with ease. On the drive there was a 10 yard space of road that narrowed. We managed it but not a surprise I’d want in a bigger vehicle. There was a construction barrier sticking out in a surprising way in another section. Besides this, the rock dodging on-road was not unreasonable, and they are roads I’d gladly go back to.
Someone on Instagram mentioned not taking this road if you remotely care about your paint. I've heard the reasoning, but our cars didn't seem to be getting thrashed with anything except bugs. If you really care about your paint, get a PPF or a rental car, but don't let it stop you from driving roads like these! As much as I love my Dakar Beige Metallic paint, I think it will patina well and bring an opportunity for another unique color eventually.
ARRIVING AT THE SECRET SPOT FOR BRUNCH
The secret town is known as NEW CUYAMA and the secret diner spot is CUYAMA BUCKHORN. The vibe was nice with an expected vintage and throwback feel. They have a smaller food menu but a good variety of options. I can appreciate the ability to focus on less items if that translates to better quality. The breakfast burrito ($17) ended up being filling and tasty, but for presentation, it looked like something you'd make at home in the microwave (not photo worthy). I suspect most items on the menu trump the breakfast burrito. I almost got the BBQ pulled pork sandwich, and if that's what I think one of the boys ordered, it looked great. Jimmy got pancakes for the table and those were solid.
They also have a nice beer selection. I had to go with a WC IPA from There Does Not Exist. They are known for making a bunch of good brew and that’s where I stopped in SLO (San Luis Obispo) on the way to Monterey Car Week 2023. Planning to stop in again this year. #DrinkResponsibly
At the table, the topic came of where we each live, and I mentioned the Petersen Automotive Museum as a reference to my neighborhood. I was surprised, but glad to share with one or two of the guys that hadn't heard of the museum before! After the brunch we found a sign inside reading, "Welcome---Petersen Automotive." Jimmy was not lying when he said this was a popular destination for enthusiast, as they were finishing their trip from Avila Beach at Cuyama Buckhorn with a nicely setup brunch.
It looked like it was just getting started, which lead to some good car spotting in the parking lot. The best among them a Ford GT in Centennial White. Honorable mention to the Lucid Sapphire with some cool options.
We hoped and joked about joining them, but after getting the invite from Hunter to check out his BMW collection, we had places to be!
CONCLUSION - VIEWING A SPECIAL BMW COLLECTION
The drive had a great ending by reconnecting the group for a walk-through on this collection Hunter has been able to put together. He had to leave the group when we made it to Cuyama Buckhorn, but invited us to stop-by after brunch, and we all had time for that. His first BMW was a 325ci he owned for 13 years. He got into flipping cars he found interesting and ended up with a fine collection of gems. Among them a rarely seen Z4 M Coupe in Space Grey, the 1988 E30 M3 and 1999 E36 M3 Evolution 2 with an S54 swap. And to round out the collection, a Z4 M Roadster in Interlagos Blue as the perfect outlet for his everyday use.
This was a great way to end our journey after traversing up and down the 33 Hwy and through the Los Padres National Forest.
Whether its the next invite or a similar drive I need to organize myself, I'm looking forward to another one like this, it was a perfect road trip.
