Car Culture in North Highlands
History
The history of automobiles and California is one as old as time, this state is old enough to have housed the Arroyo Seco Parkway and now the mega-corporations that call it home. California has earned a reputation among car enthusiasts as an "anti-driver" state due to its strict emission laws, noise regulations, and cruising laws among others. While warranted, California's reputation is one that needs revision as it was once home to a vibrant car culture envied around the country. As early as 1985, California was leading the automobile world in innovation, a scenic "parkway" proposal began construction that same year in Arroyo Seco to construct what would become one of the United States' first highways. Before the advent of highways, the roads of old America were a mix of dirt as well as paved roads which drastically varied in quality. A transitioning society was finding it difficult to accommodate both the preferred methods of transportation at the time because it was less than 50 years after the invention of the automobile horses were using the same infrastructure as cars and vice versa. This problem was early enough in California's history that it could be addressed, the Arroyo Seco Parkway was birthed from the mind of California politicians looking to revolutionize California's transportation infrastructure. Those same politicians would change the plan from a scenic drive taking residents through nature to a modern roadway capable of holding high-density traffic. The Arroyo Seco Parkway is now a staple of California's infrastructure, a tourist destination that doubles as a daily commute path. California is known for its attractions like Disneyland, its beaches, and the movie industry that resides in the state, but the state is home to some of the most historic roadways in the country's history. In addition to landmarks, highways, and scenic drives, California was well known for its vibrant car culture that first began around the 1940s in the rest of the country. Though behind schedule, the emerging car scene would be nearly unrecognizable from the "hot rod" movement it was inspired by. While cars in the rest of the country were looking to improve horsepower, handling, and sound, California focused on the aesthetic of the automobile itself. Modifications to automobiles date back to their inception, in those days, criminals looking to skirt prohibition would modify their vehicles to transport contraband as well as evade police. These men would be known as "bootleggers" to history and would go on to race on dirt tracks in the south, these races would progressively become more organized and eventually become NASCAR. California was not looking to build race cars, young Chicanos sought to express themselves through the modification of cars, officially birthing lowriders. An entirely new culture was born through the new body designs, hydraulic additions, and vibrant designs. Car culture would continue to take hold in California in the decades to come, eventually bleeding into everyday life because of their recognizable cars, community outreach, and high-profile cruises. The rest of the country soon adopted the Golden State's car culture and it remains one of the most recognizable builds in the world.
Modern Day
Like all good things, Californian car culture's golden days came to an end for a variety of reasons. Starting in the '60s and '70s California cities began to crack down on "cruising" which extended to lowriders, meets, and car modification bans soon to follow. These regulations would end up crippling the state's vibrant low-rider culture due to the high cost as well as legal trouble now afflicting these once cherished traditions. Cities like Vacaville would instate regulations like sections 1-10 of article chapter 12. 17, which outlawed cruising and related activities in an effort to curb the driving that was starting to gain a bad reputation for crime. Similar-sized cities would soon follow suit and major cities would be next, a lowrider owner speaking to the LA Times would describe the next few decades as a "cat and mouse game". Authorities would use resources and spend time taking cars to impound lots, breaking up meets as well as arresting drivers to discourage a once iconic part of California's culture. This decision was recently overturned by Governor Gavin Newsom after decades of lobbying, cities like Santa Ana in Orange County have already started hosting cruises and meets. Car Clubs historically bring philanthropic programs to their communities and one can expect these to return alongside the clubs that host them. North Highlands' premier meet-up spot is Lou's Burgers, since the 1950s Lou's has hosted car meets of all sorts. Derrel's Mini Storage can help preserve one's vehicle in its premium storage facilities, compounds like rubber can deteriorate within months of exposure to weather. So don't wait! Check out our vehicle storage page to find which of our locations offer a place to store your ride. Derrel's also offers corporate storage, personal storage, and temperature-controlled storage to meet a wide range of needs.
