Located about halfway between Santa Barbara and Bakersfield, many people might say that New Cuyama is in the middle of nowhere. Indeed, sitting as it does on a lonely stretch of highway, New Kwee-yah-ma (as it’s pronounced) is a welcome oasis for folks driving across a vast expanse of open country in rural California. Originally established in 1952 as a settlement for Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) workers and their families, the town was transformed when the company moved on and left behind 800 residents and the amenities of a well-equipped community [1]. Fortunately for us aviators, these include a motel, a convenience store, a 3940 foot runway, and a couple of restaurants that are worthy of a $100 hamburger trip.

Exploring this corner of California was our mission when we departed San Carlos on a rainy day in mid March, 2008.  Arriving at our destination at about 1:00 PM, we parked on the ramp at the northeast end of the strip and secured our plane-for-the-day with one of the two or three sets of chains that are provided. While there are plenty of parking spaces available, if there had been a rush we would have needed our own ropes.

The restaurants are about a ten-minute walk from the airport with the Burger Barn on the left as you approach the main drag. While we didn’t stop this time, it looks a great reason for a return trip. Instead, we turned right and made our way to the Cuyama Buckhorn. A combination motel, pub and restaurant, it has a fantastic selection of truck stop fare. My choice was a beef burrito and coffee followed by a mouth-watering piece of homemade strawberry rhubarb pie. Needless to say, this meal and the friendly service that accompanied it were incredibly satisfying after the preceding three-hour journey.

To get the full New Cuyama experience, we visited the convenience store after lunch and picked up a bottle of water and a soda pop before wandering through town on the way back to the airfield. This gave us a chance to ponder the laid-back lifestyle and serenity enjoyed by folks who live in small towns like this all over America. While many city dwellers wish for such peace and quiet, the residents of New Cuyama can enjoy it every day. Considering that they have their own airport, there are undoubtedly many pilots who’d like to join them.

Refernces

[1]. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Cuyama,_California

aerial view of New Cuyama, CA

Our plane-for-a-day parked on the ramp

route from the Airport to the main road where the restaurants are located

Burger Barn

downtown New Cuyama, CA

Pool at the Hotel next to the Cuyama Buckhorn restaurant