Have you ever been driving down a lonely highway and noticed an old roadside motel? One that probably has a few stories to tell? These throwbacks to another time were usually built in places that were no one’s destination; they were just a necessary stop after a long day of travel. But at least one motel in Santa Barbara County’s high desert between Bakersfield and the coast is changing that perception.
The Cuyama Buckhorn was built in the 1950s when the community of New Cuyama was a booming oil town. In 2018 Ferial Sadeghian and Jeff Vance, partners in the West Hollywood–based architectural firm iDGroup, purchased the Buckhorn, and its transformation into a funky destination motel began.
The result is a creative mix of traditional western and mid-century design, with a splash of contemporary thrown in. The attention to detail in every room and throughout the motel grounds is stunning.
You can find families, couples, or people traveling alone occupying the 21 rooms at the Cuyama Buckhorn on any given weekend. The rooms have been stylishly remodeled and are spacious. Each has a small kitchenette area with a mini-fridge where you’ll find instant Verve coffee, Tea Pigs teabags, and s’more kits. All rooms have a large patio furnished with an outdoor table and chairs.
The grounds are designed with gatherings in mind. There are two fire ring areas where you will find inviting chairs. There is a Bocce Ball court, a pool table, lots of open seating areas, and a courtyard area covered in artificial turf where the kids can run. The pool is new but designed to fit in flawlessly with the mid-century roadside look of the place. Comfortable chaise lounges surround the pool, and there is a large jacuzzi and a sauna.
The motel has a cafe, restaurant, and bar. The bar is original and if the live-edge bar top could tell tales, the entertainment would never stop!
The food served at the Cuyama Buckhorn is locally sourced, including the beef for their incredible burgers, and reasonably priced. There are fresh pies made daily and chocolate chip cookies to make your mouth water.
The best part of Cuyama Buckhorn is the people. The staff and the guests all bring a sense of adventure and community. The staff goes out of their way to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. And while the guests may be there for different reasons, the setting seems to attract people looking for an experience and willing to be a part of that for others.
One evening during our stay, we sang songs around the firepit as a couple played their ukuleles. They were at the Cuyama to launch their hot air balloon the next morning and they warmly welcomed us to their jam session. We met a young couple visiting from Los Angeles and by the end of our visit, we felt like old friends sharing recommendations on what to order and tips on where to hike.
The motel is a great home base for day trips to Carrizo Plain. The motel is also an excellent setting for a destination wedding. Or, make it a one or two-night stop when traveling to Monterey from southern California.
Post-pandemic entertainment is on the menu again at Cuyama including outdoor movies, live music, and a monthly BBQ held on the third Sunday of each month through October. Check the motel website for details on events.
While you can certainly couple your stay at Cuyama with winery visits and hiking excursions, the real lure is Cuyama Buckhorn itself. It’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy good food and drinks, and unwind. There is no need to plan anything more strenuous than a walk from your room to the pool. After two or three days of total downtime, you’ll be recharged, and who doesn’t need that occasionally?
TRICIA VLASAK is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on adventures. Tricia received a Silver Award for feature writing from Parenting Media Association in 2021.
Leave a Reply