Altadena's Weekly Car Meetup Fuels Rebuilding After Devastating Fire

Burned cars, shared grief, and Saturday coffee bring community together in Altadena.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:35pm

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In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire that destroyed over 9,400 structures in Altadena, California in 2025, a local resident named Dave Stone started an Instagram account documenting the charred remains of gas-powered vehicles. This led to the creation of a weekly Saturday morning car meetup called Altadena Cars and Coffee, which has grown from 20 vehicles to over 120 as it provides a space for the community to come together, share stories, and support each other in the rebuilding process.

Why it matters

The Eaton Fire was a traumatic event for the Altadena community, leaving many residents displaced and grieving the loss of their homes and possessions. The Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup has become an important gathering place where neighbors can reconnect, find support, and focus on something positive - their shared passion for cars - during the difficult recovery process.

The details

Dave Stone, a Pasadena resident who works in movie music, started photographing the burned cars in Altadena in the aftermath of the fire. He posted the images to an Instagram account called @Not_EV_Altadena, which revealed a previously hidden car culture in the community. The weekly Saturday morning meetup began at a local coffee shop but quickly outgrew the space, moving to a former Rite Aid lot and then settling at The Bulgarini. Each week, the event highlights a specific fire survivor or project in need of support, and has become a place for residents to gather, drink coffee, and talk about their shared experiences and rebuilding efforts.

  • The Eaton Fire destroyed over 9,400 structures in Altadena, California on January 7, 2025.
  • Dave Stone started the @Not_EV_Altadena Instagram account in the immediate aftermath of the fire in 2025.
  • Altadena Cars and Coffee launched in early 2026, about 14 months after the Eaton Fire.
  • The next Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The players

Dave Stone

A Pasadena resident who works in movie music, Stone started the @Not_EV_Altadena Instagram account and organized the Altadena Cars and Coffee weekly meetup in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire.

Hipolito Cisneros

An Altadena resident who lost his home, possessions, home-based business, and his 1972 Datsun 510 in the Eaton Fire. The Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup has organized a fundraiser to support him.

Ken Sakamoto

A 73-year-old born-and-raised Altadenan who owns Sunchaser Studios in Pasadena. Sakamoto lost his family home of 75 years and a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL in the Eaton Fire, but now helps out at the weekly Altadena Cars and Coffee meetups.

Unincorporated Coffee Roasters

The Altadena coffee shop that initially hosted the Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup before it outgrew the space.

The Bulgarini

The current location of the Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup, a parking lot at 749 E. Altadena Drive.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want my car to die. Just by his little story and the way he narrates it, it still keeps my car alive no matter what.”

— Hipolito Cisneros

“We wanted a place to gather a few hours a week and not think about everything we lost and focus on making new friends and talk about cars. It's easy to talk to one another.”

— Ken Sakamoto

“With everyone scattered after the fire, this gave them a reason to come back, to have something normal to come back to.”

— Dave Stone

What’s next

The next Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Bulgarini in Altadena.

The takeaway

The Altadena Cars and Coffee meetup has become a vital community gathering place in the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire, providing a sense of normalcy and connection for residents as they work to rebuild their lives and their beloved vehicles. This grassroots effort highlights the power of shared passions to bring a community together during difficult times.