There’s something about hitting the road that always stirs excitement, especially when it’s with friends, family, and a couple of dope cars in tow. The preparation for our trip to San Jose started long before the sun rose on that crisp Friday morning. We met up in Gardena at 7 AM, gathering the crew and getting ready to roll out. With Junney’s clean S14 and Viet’s classic 911 Targa loaded up on trailers, the journey from LA to the Bay was officially underway.
This trip was more than just a road trip—it was about reconnecting with the Bay Area community that has always shown us love and support. It had been a while since ILLEST made the trek up north, and we couldn’t wait to meet up with everyone again. The anticipation of seeing familiar faces, making new connections, and immersing ourselves in the Bay’s unique car culture had us all buzzing with excitement.
Midway through our journey, we made a quick stop in Bakersfield to meet up with our homie Ludger, who was rolling in his bagged E90 BMW. With Ludger joining the convoy, the excitement only grew as we cruised together toward San Jose. Traveling with friends and family made the journey even more special.
As we left Southern California behind and headed toward the Bay, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and excitement. We were on our way to reconnect with a community that has always welcomed us with open arms, and we knew this trip was going to be something special.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we dive into the underground meet and the epic night run that made this weekend one for the books.
PHOTOS BY: IAN PHAM
