Next Stop: New Cuyama Travel Guide

If your first thought is where and what is New Cuyama, then this is the exact reason why you need to plan a trip to Cuyama Buckhorn stat. It’s the perfect destination where you can simply enjoy the company of your family, friends, or yourself in a beautifully designed and superbly serene desert spot. New Cuyama is now on our list of fave CA road trips and will be visiting again soon!

New Cuyama Travel Guide

New Cuyama is located between Bakersfield and Santa Barbara right on Highway 166 (just past the Grapevine). We took the scenic drive through Los Padres National Forest which dropped us into Maricopa and the beautiful California desert! A short drive from Maricopa, we passed farms and took in the beautiful backdrop of mountains and terracotta hues of the Cuyama Valley.

Cuyama Buckhorn is a retreat similar to what you’d find in Palm Springs with a breathtaking desert landscape, mountain views and small town charm. While we did a bit of hiking in Carrizo Plains and Los Padres, you can simply laze at the hotel for your entire stay and really get the flavor of the town, the people, the food, and artisans.

Cuyama Buckhorn is a 1950s hotel that was recently been updated with sleek rooms with private patios and sprawling courtyard with grass area, olive trees, bocce ball, fire pits and lounge seating.

The resort features a full service, farm-to-table restaurant and bar with menu items that offer the local flavor. There is also a coffee shop and market where you can pick up locally made products like honey, pistachios and Mead. If you’re like me and enjoy poolside hangs, then you’ll enjoy starting and ending the day at the pool with a delish cocktail (who am I to judge when you drink?). You’ll want to stay at the pool to catch the cotton candy sunset before you retreat to the fire pits for s’mores.

Don’t miss a Mead tasting at Cuyama Beverage Company, which is produced from locally made honey. I just ordered a couple of bottles of this Mead since we’ll be hosting parties this summer and I want our friends to get a taste! If you prefer wine, reserve a tasting at Condor’s Hope or Sagebrush Annie’s.

While Alan, Harlee, and HeiHei joined me for this trip and we all had an excellent time, it’s also a great spot for a girls’ getaway, romantic weekend, or if you’re a mom who just needs to gtfo as soon as the kids are in school.