Cruise California 33, a quintessential SoCal driving route

Everyone is aware of the celebrities of Southern California’s driving panorama: Pacific Coast Highway, the cinematic connector of seaside cities; Angeles Crest Highway, a surprising and winding mountain route; and “The Snake,” Mulholland Highway’s notorious roadway that reopened late final yr.

An indication alongside California 33 close to Ojai.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

But there’s a less-traveled route that feels simply as quintessentially SoCal: California 33 to Hudson Ranch Road, passing by way of Ojai, Maricopa, New Cuyama and Frazier Park.

Parts of this street curl in on themselves into tight, technical twisties — catnip to automotive lovers and motorcyclists. But this two-lane motorway additionally showcases the splendor and variety of the rugged area, from the forested mountains and canyons in Ventura to the jagged rocks and chaparral of the desert vistas, making it interesting to thrill seekers and sightseers alike. While roadways just like the 5 serve to get you from one level to a different shortly and effectively, this one begs you to relish the journey.

“A road like this forces your mind to focus on the immediate needs of car control, while rewarding it with the beauty of the natural world,” says Dave Coleman, a Mazda R&D engineer from Long Beach who incorporates Hudson Ranch Road into his drives to and from the Bay Area. “While driving, there just isn’t enough mental bandwidth left to worry about the stressful things in life.”

This route brings individuals collectively, together with me and my automotive fanatic mates, who frequently go on these driving excursions — fuel costs be damned. “We drive these roads for the excitement and euphoria, just like people go to Disneyland,” says Matt Kometer, a SkyLink supervisor from San Pedro who drives a 2026 Mazda MX-5 Miata. And, not like Disneyland or the normal getaways that contain a resort keep or a flight, these outings may be put collectively in a way of hours.

I used to be a passenger on a current Sunday pleasure cruise with a caravan of 9 automobiles, which began in Ojai and ended on the base of Mount Pinos within the Los Padres National Forest. That’s 28 miles because the crow flies, however our route, with a detour for lunch in Cuyama, swelled the journey to greater than 100 miles.

An 2026 Audi RS 3 heading to the lunch cease in Cuyama.

(Caroline Pardilla)

If you’re planning a visit of your personal, a couple of issues to notice earlier than you hit the street: Always test the street circumstances, high up the tank as a result of there’s just one fuel station in Cuyama, obtain maps as a result of cell service is spotty, and, should you’re caravanning with mates, it’s good to carry walkie-talkies to remain in touch. The tunnel part of 33 in Wheeler Springs will be closed Aug. 28-31. Check the Caltrans website for updates.

Here’s a play-by-play of our day on the street.

10 a.m.: Breakfast at Pinyon on Ojai Avenue

Arriving from all corners of the L.A. Basin, the drivers meet up and gasoline up at Pinyon Ojai, a pizza restaurant on Ojai Avenue. The store serves single-origin espresso from Ventura’s Beacon Coffee and breakfast sandwiches that includes house-made bagels. Street-side seating affords prime automotive recognizing, which at this time features a right-hand-drive Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUV and an immaculate brown-on-tan Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda two-seater. Those who time their journey for the second Sunday morning of each month can try the automobiles and low occasion a couple of blocks away at Westridge Midtown Market.

In the restaurant, the buddies catch up, chatting concerning the automobiles they drove right here, the progress of their present automotive initiatives and the route for the day. There is an air of anticipation. For many within the group, it’s their first time driving this route. Miatas function closely on this crowd, however there are additionally high-performance rides, like a Porsche 911, a first-generation Audi R8 and an Audi RS 3.

Traveling the canyon on the two-lane freeway by way of Wheeler Springs and Wheeler Gorge is gorgeous however gradual going, previous homes and campgrounds in addition to excessive rock partitions that threaten to rain down scree. Three slender, darkish tunnels alongside the best way throttle speeds due to the sudden contrasts from broad daylight. Highway 33, at a modest 3.5% grade, meanders over and alongside creeks which might be invisible from the street however marked by riparian vegetation.

Drivers collect round their automobiles whereas stopping alongside State Route 33.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

After the street opens up, the drivers make quick work of the curves whereas sustaining a respectful distance from each other. Occasionally, a leisure driver bunches up the group till they pull over on the subsequent turnout to let the sooner drivers cross. The collection of switchbacks with hairpin turns provide a satisfying run as much as Pine Mountain Summit. “That’s some world-class sports car fun there,” says Alex Vendler, a cinematographer from Glendale who drove up in a 2003 Miata. The 5,160-foot-high summit permits us to catch our breath and take within the views of the San Rafael Mountains within the west.

Chris Floren of Torrance poses in entrance of his “Viccup,” a Sixties truck draped over a Ford Crown Victoria.

(Caroline Pardilla)

1 p.m.: A break and extra automotive speak at roadside motel Cuyama Buckhorn

The Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn, a midcentury roadside resort refurbished in 2018, serves as the right respite. It’s about 10 miles off our route however is an air-conditioned oasis of burgers, pie a la mode and infinite ice water.

If there’s a draw back to stopping within the “hidden valley of enchantment,” it’s the distinct lack of shaded parking. But at the very least there are many spots in entrance of the resort. Through the diner’s massive front-facing home windows, we watched a cowboy mosey previous on his horse, testing the number of autos.

A bunch of mates has lunch on the Buckhorn Restaurant at Cuyama Buckhorn.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Even although there are 12 of us walk-ins, the hostess instantly pushes a number of tables collectively to accommodate the group. The dynamics of this lengthy desk invite a number of totally different conversations to interrupt out — all about automobiles. “I have a Miata, and I want a Miata,” says Vendler. Apparently, his tablemate William Benedict, a software program engineer from West Hollywood who drove the R8, was skeptical about all of the love for the Mazda roadster. Elsewhere, motorsports supervisor Chris Floren of Torrance is getting props for the shocking prowess of his sleeper “Viccup” — a Ford Crown Victoria police automotive with a ’60s-era pickup physique draped over it. Another group discusses how “One Battle After Another” options probably the most Nissan Sentra SE-R content material of any film.

After last-minute gulps of water, everybody filters again into the warmth of the desert and hurries to air out the automobiles’ ovenlike cabins. There is a mini photograph shoot with Floren’s truck in entrance of the classic resort signal, after which we soar within the automobiles and backtrack up the 33/166 towards Hudson Ranch Road.

The Hudson Ranch Road is extra enjoyable in a Mitsubishi Evo IX.

(Caroline Pardilla)

3:30 p.m.: A ‘roller coaster’ of a street and a reunion in Pine Mountain Club

Unlike Maricopa Highway 33, Hudson Ranch Road options coarser asphalt, no guardrails and extra passing zones than turnouts. Kometer stated it must be a tarmac rally stage whereas skilled stunt driver and Long Beach native Sarah Fairfield, who piloted the second ’26 MX-5 on this journey, equated it to a curler coaster. The street was initially constructed within the ’30s to accommodate site visitors heading to the ski resort, which closed within the ’70s. Now, the group deems it the spotlight of the day. “It let me enjoy the act of driving without having to go too fast,” says Karl Buchka, an aerospace engineer from El Segundo who drove up within the 911.

Although the buddies had been separated on this leg, having every taken the route at their very own tempo, they reunite at Pine Mountain General Store in Pine Mountain Club. The Village Center comfort retailer beckons with shaded parking and a freezer stuffed with frozen treats. Between bites of a chocolate ice cream bar, Coleman proposes persevering with on towards Santa Clarita, through the twisties on Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads. With competing commitments, nevertheless, a lot of the drivers reluctantly bow out.

A glance again on the caravan on the 166/33, heading towards Hudson Ranch Road.

(Caroline Pardilla)

In any case, the daylong cruise served its function of resetting the week and reconnecting the buddies. “A lot of what this hobby or lifestyle or whatever is about is ultimately an excuse to spend time with friends, and to make new ones,” says Jason Kavanagh, a turbopump engineer from Mid-City who introduced a Mitsubishi Evo IX to the outing. “So, yeah, the road is a means to that end.”

The drivers at Pine Mountain Club Village. From left, Matt Kometer, William Benedict, Alex Vendler, Dave Coleman, Sarah Fairfield, Jason Kavanagh, Chris Floren and Derek Dicker.

(Caroline Pardilla)