About
Our High Desert Hideaway
A hidden gem to most, those in the know have been visiting Cuyama Buckhorn since 1952. As years and changes have rolled over the valley, locals and visitors alike have relied on Cuyama Buckhorn for a hearty meal, a splash in the pool, and a welcome place to rest their heads.
In 2021, after a full restoration of the historic property, we officially reintroduced our resort as you know it today: a 21-room boutique hotel with a restaurant highlighting the valley’s abundance, a bar with the best drinks for 100 miles, a coffee shop serving your daily brew, and all the comforts you need for a weekend escape. Enjoy the glistening pool, steaming jacuzzi, barrel sauna, large lawn, and plenty of communal spaces to enjoy by yourself or with a whole crew.
We may be just two hours from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, but a trip to Cuyama Buckhorn takes you worlds away.
Established in 1952, the Buckhorn was built as an oil-exec stopover and community hub for The Richfield Oil Corporation. The dining room rang with live piano music, the bar bustled with games and activity, and the pool was enjoyed by families soaking in the desert sun.
As the oil dried up and the industry moved on, the valley returned to its agricultural roots. Throughout the decades, Cuyama Buckhorn passed through different owners, styles, and chapters, but remained a cornerstone of this rural community and a favorite stop for those passing through.
In 2018, Jeff Vance and Ferial Sadeghian saw the historic property for sale and immediately envisioned bringing it back to its glory days. As the principals of Los Angeles-based design firm, IDGroup, the duo have always had a notable appreciation for mid-century restoration projects and making a space feel historic without being frozen in time. After three years of renovations, our reimagined roadside retreat was officially unveiled. The former drive-up parking lot was transformed into a new central lawn, bocce ball court, communal gathering space, and pool deck complete with jacuzzi and sauna. Looking out at the heart of the property, the guest rooms were infused with the spirit of the American West and the Buckhorn’s mid-century roots.
Sitting at the heart of a valley carved by ancient rivers, where the land itself teaches reinvention and rejuvenation, Cuyama Buckhorn is a direct reflection of just that — a place that has persisted and continues as a site of community connection, telling the story of the Cuyama’s past, present, and future to all who pass through the Hidden Valley of Enchantment.
Living with the Land
Since day one, we have looked for ways to operate thoughtfully and reduce our footprint, from repurposing old oil pipes into furniture and planting draught-tolerant greenery, to sharing coffee grounds for compost and sending vegetable scraps home with staff for their animals. For us, sustainability is bigger than what happens inside the four corners of Cuyama Buckhorn. It means supporting the larger community around us, joining the valley’s fight for water and land, fundraising for wildfire relief, and considering what Cuyama needs today and for generations to come.
“Upcycling is a big thing around here, too: oil pipes for table legs, troughs for fountains, crates used as shelving units and headboards made from reclaimed wood.”
Kind Traveler
Through our partnership with Kind Traveler, every stay gives back. For each night you stay at Cuyama Buckhorn, our partnership donates $1 towards supporting Blue Sky Center, ensuring that 100% of the funds are directed to make a positive impact on the local community.
- Meals for Cuyama residents participating in skills-building workshops.
- Supplies for food access workshop, including activities such as nopales canning, garlic planting, and seed harvesting.
- Starter plants for Jardines Victoria (Victory Gardens) in local residents' backyards, fostering organic food growth at home.
- Artist-in-residence programs
- General operational expenses
Come Experience It for Yourself
Whether it’s the first glimpse of the Caliente mountains as you drop into the valley, the painted skies of a sunset over The Vista, or a conversation you struck up at the bar, there’s something that will always draw you back to Cuyama Buckhorn. At least from this hotel in California, you’ll never want to leave.
