What clients say about Cuyama Buckhorn in New Cuyama (CA)
We stayed a night, accepting the high price. We expected a very nice room and looked forward to the amenities. We also accepted the price because there was a restaurant with exceptional reviews.
The room was just nice and the common areas were ok, clean and well maintained. The pool and jacuzzi were also well maintained and clean with a frozen in time vibe. The sauna was a disappointment, it didn’t get hot and we gave up after waiting 30 minutes.
The room? It was small and very clean. There is a small desk with very little space for personal use. The space is taken up by a boil pot with some tea bags and INSTANT COFFEE packets, and a tray selling expensive wine and snacks. The mini fridge is undersized even for a mini fridge and is packed full of more items you can purchase. There is no room to put your own items. We couldn’t even fit our leftovers from dinner.
The restaurant was sub par and expensive. The waitress was very nice and apologized multiple times for our sticky table, it wasn’t dirty, just a bad finish. I got the tri tip and husband got a barbecue plate. Steak was good, barbecue was dry, cold, tough with sauce in little cups on the side. Mashed potatoes were flavorless and were cold from contact with the room temperature cast iron pan it is served in. No salt and pepper unless you ask.
Breakfast? Hmmm. Doesn’t open until 8:30 so we had to make do with INSTANT COFFEE until then. We both got 2 eggs over easy, his yolks were broken and eggs cooked solid and my eggs had runny whites. Served in a room temp cast iron pan. The toast was more dried than toasted and the potatoes were dry and bland. I could have asked for butter but it would not have melted on anything. I did ask for salt and pepper this time.
My biggest complaint is not about price except it is about price when the experience was average. 400+ a night room and we share space with upsells. I am sorry but instant coffee is an insult. Dinner and 2 drinks, and breakfast for 2 was 175. Not bad, if it was good.
Hot food and good coffee would have gone far to making this experience better.
(I actually walked around looking for the coffee, filtered water, and snacks for guests)
THe BEST part was the cats.
This place charges too much for what they offer-a pool that is not heated, really small rooms with uncomfortable beds, so-so service. We had hoped for a better experience...the cafe and bar are fun though and we will be back for a meal sometime. They either need to lower their prices or step it up on the service/amenities.
We found this little gem whilst travelling from Bakersfield to Santa Barbara and stopped for brunch. Excellent coffee and one of the best burritos I’ve had for a long time. Great vibe, friendly service, would definitely recommend.
We chose Buckhorn as a little gettaway around the holidays. We wanted to get off grid. The area is beautiful with nature trails close by. The food, dinner and breakfast, was fantastic, and I'm an LA foodie saying that. The drinks were next level. This place is awesome.
We had a great stay at Cuyama Buckhorn. The property has a really nice restaurant and bar on site, plus several outdoor areas to relax, hang out, play pool, or enjoy a game of bocce ball. Everything felt thoughtfully designed and welcoming.
One of our favorite touches was finding a s’mores kit waiting for us in the room, complete with fire sticks, along with several other small but meaningful treats that made the stay feel special.
It’s a unique, relaxing spot and we’re already looking forward to coming back again with the family.
On my way back to Las Vegas from Orcutt and this is a great stopping point. I’ve had their coffee once before and it was great then and even better today. I also tried the Yard Bird sandwich and it was SO good. I also bought some tea and cookies for the road. I will for sure stop there again.
Sasha saved the day! I had an issue with my booking.com reservation—turns out they tried to charge my card, it dint go through, and I missed the email that my reservation was cancelled. It was totally my fault and I felt awful. Sasha came from home, late in the evening, to help me sort it all out. The lovely bartender even gave us a drink of the house while we waited. This is place is so well done, from the warm and inviting hospitality, to the above-and-beyond service, great food and drinks, and of course, great rooms. 11/10 would recommend, even for a destination trip, it’s that charming
Finally stopped to try the food, on our way between Bako and Pismo. We’d looked as we passed many times. While the atmosphere was cool and the service was great, the food was pretty basic, for the price. Omelette was pretty small and room temperature, the sautéed onions were barely cooked. The Cobb salad was almost all lettuce. If it was cheaper, we would have lower expectations, but overall fairly disappointing. The server was awesome. Maybe an off day for the cook. Might have to try again, next time passing through.
So many great little details. We went during a rainy weekend. Decided not to cancel. They upgraded us to the Enchanted Suite when we arrived. Good food. Creative and fun design. Unique location and experience. Lots of people just like to hang out here too at the bar or restaurant. Worth checking out.
This hotel was a pleasant surprise, a gem actually. My husband and I were just passing through, it was getting dark in the middle of nowhere and needed a place to stay. We knew nothing about this place but was the only option for a while. I was leary. It's actually a nice little boutique hotel, a little bougie with western flair and some history! The room was nice and I loved the pool and hot tub. They also had outdoor games you could play, bar/restaurant, and little cafe. The location is quiet and not in the hustle and bustle of the city. My only complaint was that the price was a little high but we will stay again if ever we are traveling that way.
We made a pit stop for breakfast on our road trip. This place is adorable. So cutely decorated. I walked around the property and it's like stepping back in time. It's super clean and adorable. The restaurant was good and not too pricey with excellent service.
The Buckhorn continues to amaze me each year & counting. This was my fourth visit since 2022 and everything about this resort remains unchanged in terms of quality of stay, service & experience.
Everyone here is super friendly, courteous, genuine & sweet. Special shout-outs to Sam (the wizard tending the bar), Jeff (the owner), Corissa, Liz, Mila & all the staff in the diner / restaurant.
Absolutely love this place and can't wait to visit again!
We got married at The Buckhorn and rented out the hotel for the entire weekend and it was the absolute best weekend of our lives! The Buckhorn is truly magical, and I could not imagine getting married anywhere else.
The staff at The Buckhorn are amazing. We had their biggest wedding yet with 130 guests and they were SO on top of everything from serving, cleaning, to making sure everyone was having a good time. The staff truly made our wedding that much better and we feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with them!
The Buckhorn also catered all of the food for our wedding weekend and it was all FANTASTIC!! The quantity of food they needed to make did not at all impact the quality and every single meal and appetizer was phenomenal.
The rooms are also incredible. They have done such an fantastic job making each part of the hotel feel luxurious while still feeling incredibly cozy.
I could not recommend The Buckhorn more for a weekend getaway, a wedding, or any other event!
Soothes the soul.
Our group of rider friends goes here once a year to unwind and connect. I don’t know if there’s such a thing as cowboy elegant, but if so, this is it. The bar is old school old west and the restaurant is cozy.
The food is delicious, the ingredients are local, and the staff is superb. Meals are a mix of perfectly tasty but also grounded in the basics (meat and potatoes).
The rooms are sophisticated, yet all about comfort. And the outdoor spaces welcome you to meet at the pool during the day and gather around the fire at night.
In my world of media production you need to get approval from your executive producers which means you get “notes” to improve the story.
For Cuyama Buckhorn- no notes.
Thank you to the owner and staff for providing this oasis. We needed it!
My husband and I just had the most incredible wedding weekend at the buckhorn! Everything about this place feels so special. The space has an elevated yet laid back feel and the entire staff is so lovely and welcoming. It’s just so cozy!! We are big fans hahah.
We originally found the diner while driving the 166 and stopped in for lunch. They had all the local farms they sourced from written on the chalkboard and I thought how cool to find a little place, in what feels like the middle of nowhere, that cares about their sourcing and actually has delicious food! Ever since then it became an annual lunch stop on our holidays travels. When we got engaged it was such an easy decision to go with The Buckhorn and it was the best decision we made!!
Stopped here on the way to SLO. Ordered a charcuterie board for $38 that was ridiculously small. Bartender was too busy serving wedding party and when we finally got our draft beers they were room temperature and flat. The server was nice though. Overall way too expensive for bad quality. Place is only good for instagrams :DD
We just hosted a birthday party at the Buckhorn and Mila and her team did an absolutely terrific job. The hotel is amazing and we will definitely be coming back!
I was in town for work, and stopped by coffee at breakfast time. Nice atmosphere. And perfect service. The levelocals that I met with all raved about the food and the restaurant's ties to the community. I look forward to going back.
Cute pit stop. There is a coffee shop and restaurant and a bar (it was closed). Friendly service. Tons of shaded outdoor space. Pet friendly outside. Menu looked like burgers and salads and basic bites. We just stopped in for a beer.
Just chanced by this hidden gem on the way home from Santa Cruz. Seriously good food. The burger was phenomenal, the sauces with the meat platter were tremendous. I love places like this, unexpected treasures in the middle of nowhere. Give the cooks a raise, they did a great job. This place is absolutely worth cutting off the 5 before the 46 and taking the longer route to the 101. The landscape is stunning and I hope to be be able to stay here sometime.
We were a group of 17 BMW motorcycle riders traveling along California’s Highway 166 when we stopped for breakfast at Cuyama Buckhorn — and it turned out to be an amazing experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, peaceful, and inviting. The staff were incredibly polite, professional, and handled our large group with ease and grace. The quality of the food was outstanding — every dish was delicious, well-prepared, and served promptly. This place is not just a great rest stop, but a true gem for anyone looking to enjoy excellent hospitality and top-notch food. If you’re riding or driving along Highway 166, don’t miss a stop at Cuyama Buckhorn!
Everything was great. The staff - Megan in the restaurant and Sam in the bar were wonderful ambassadors for the hotel, bar and restaurant. The place is unique and a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. The pool and hot tub and sauna a very nice addition. The bar makes you feel you are in the old west.
Cuyama buckhorn is one of my favorite roadside motels ever. A perfect place to unwind and relax. Lots of interesting drives near by like lone pine mountain, the 33, and some other routes which lead down to wine country.
The pool is warmed and the jacuzzi is a great way to unwind in the evening.
Highly recommend!
Also Sam the bartender is the best :)
Went for a little getaway for our anniversary. Besides a happy anniversary, nothing special was done. Wasn't expecting it, but thought being one of the only ones there, something might be done. Asked for a king bed in the notes, and that was overlooked. The bbq was amazing, highly recommend eating there. I did think the drinks were pretty expensive for being out in the middle of nowhere. Really wanted to try the thai sour ale, but at $16 for a 12oz can is just too much. The rooms were cute, but it's small, and the bathrooms even with the fan are thin. Our retro speaker wasn't working. The barrel sauna we never got to work even with help. The touch panel on it is kinda destroyed, so I don't know how anyone would know how to work it period. Also don't like that only the more expensive rooms are pet friendly, and you of course have to pay a pet fee on top of that. So overall just okay. One and done.
This inn is fantastic! From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel welcome and took care of everything. The service was seriously impressive—friendly, professional, and always on point.
The rooms were clean, comfortable, and had a modern yet cozy vibe that made it easy to relax after a long day. The whole place has a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding.
If you’re looking for a spot with great service and a cool, comfortable setting, this is it. Definitely planning to stay here again!
The Buckhorn is hands down one of my favorite spots! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the staff is super friendly and attentive. The food is always incredible—everything from the perfectly cooked steaks to the delicious sides feels so well thought out.
Their drink menu is awesome too, especially the craft cocktails. You can tell they put a lot of effort into making sure every detail is just right. Whether you’re there for a nice dinner or just grabbing drinks, it’s a place you’ll want to keep coming back to. Highly recommend!
We came for breakfast. The staff was friendly and attentive without hovering. The bathrooms and restaurant was very clean. The build your own omelet was very good and the tri-tip sandwich was excellent as well. All plates were presented nicely. The home fries and the french fries were very out of the ordinary, especially the french fries. Some say In and Out fries are the best but these were truly exceptional and without the oily residue. They have a new menu and we are excited to try many of their new selections. All in all our experience was excellent and we will be coming back.
