The Rootin’ Tootin’ Buckhorn Experience

Story by LIONEL NEFF

Santa Barbara Region Porsche owners recently took a road trip, driving their iconic cars through wine country in the scenic Santa Ynez Valley and on to enjoy camaraderie and a delicious meal at the Cuyama Buckhorn Café.

The assembly began in the parking lot near Habit Burger at the Santa Barbara La Cumbre Plaza shopping mall. It was 9:30 a.m. on June 13 and the morning dew had lifted to a partially sunny day. The waivers were signed and pre-drive instructions given, with the proviso that there will be two groups, group one to be led by Lionel Neff and group two by SBR’s fearless leader, President Rod Hersberger. The fact that 35 cars were gathered in their launch positions, with their owners’ smiling faces in anticipation of a fun drive and a special meal awaiting them, required but one instruction: “Let’s Go.”

Our drive took us north on Hwy 154 (also known as the Chumash Highway) and over the San Marcos Pass and Santa Ynez Mountains. As we drove, the clouds lifted and the sun appeared as our escort for the rest of the drive. Of special note, Lake Cachuma came into clear view for us to realize how full the lake was due to this year’s welcome rainfall.

We continued for 30 miles where just past the town of Los Olivos we turned right onto Foxen Canyon Wine Trail for a spirited ride over hill and dale, with many curves past wineries, verdant hillsides, and open farmland. The beauty of this landscape is timeless.

Our drive on Foxen Canyon continued until the 64-mile point where we turned right at Philbric Rd. (Or, I should clarify, actually LEFT after passing Philbric Rd. due to lack of signage, necessitating a subsequent U-turn. I might add that only the group led by myself made the fateful mistake that ultimately led to Rod’s group assuming the lead as Sue Hersberger, Rod’s navigator, was using her maps app on her cell phone.)

At the 68-mile point, the group turned right onto Bull Canyon and continued to Hwy 166 NE, the main highway that connects Santa Maria on the Central Coast to the Southern San Joaquin Valley at Hwy 99 in Mettler, Kern County. The weather and road conditions along Hwy 166 were an ideal 85 degrees. Our journey then took us to the edge of Twitchell Reservoir, which was also full from the winter rains. The view of the lake from the arched concrete bridge we crossed was magnificent.

The remainder of the drive took us past miles of open space punctuated by ranches and vast vineyards. We arrived at 12:30 p.m. at the Cuyama Buckhorn, an artfully-restored roadside café and resort in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s high desert. The staff was awaiting our arrival and led us to the two large dining rooms they had prepared. Our meals of tri-tip or chicken sandwiches, salads, and endless fries and onion rings satisfied our appetites and energized us for the drive home.

All-in-all, I am of the opinion everyone had a great time. I do so enjoy the company of the participants who take advantage of these events and the great group of individuals who constitute the Activities Committee and participate in, as well as help create, these events. Would you like to join these Porsche owners on their next road trip? Keep an eye out for our event flyers in this magazine and on our website.

Lionel Neff has been a member of PCA since 2020 and is SBR’s Activities Cochair. He drives a 2017 911 Turbo in GT Silver.