The BARCing Lot - Issue #3 (October/November 2025)
Welcome back to The BARCing Lot! Whether you’ve been part of the Bay Area Rivian Club for a while or you’re reconnecting with us after some time away, we’re glad you’re here.
If this newsletter isn’t something you want in your inbox, no problem — you can unsubscribe at any time. But if you’re interested in staying connected with the club, this is a great moment to rejoin the community. We’ve moved all of our events, chats, and day-to-day activity over to Heylo, and we’d love to have you with us.
We’ve had a full couple of months, and with fall in full swing, the energy in the community is stronger than ever. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to — and what’s ahead.
Recent Recaps
Pacific Beach Coalition Clean-Up + Fog Fest
September 27 – Pacifica
We kicked off fall with a meaningful day of coastal stewardship in partnership with the Pacific Beach Coalition, an organization with over 20 years of hands-on environmental work along the San Mateo County coastline.
BARC members spent the morning removing litter along the shoreline and helping protect the marine habitats that make Pacifica so unique. The Pacific Beach Coalition provided all the tools, training, and guidance — making it easy for volunteers of all experience levels to make a real impact.
After the cleanup, many members headed to Pacifica’s annual Fog Fest for food, music, art, and local vendors. It was the perfect way to unwind after a productive morning and enjoy one of the Bay Area’s most beloved community festivals.
Thank you to everyone who dedicated their Saturday to supporting our coast. Community doesn’t always mean a trail or a meetup — sometimes it means rolling up our sleeves and doing good together.
Frunk or Treat
October 25 – San Ramon (in collaboration with NorCal EVs)
Halloween weekend brought out the creativity this year as we teamed up with NorCal EVs to host our first-ever Frunk or Treat, a family-friendly EV community event that quickly became a fall favorite.
EVs of every variety showed up — Rivians, Teslas, Mach-Es, Bolts, Ioniqs, ID.4s, and more — with frunks decorated in spooky, silly, and wildly creative themes. Kids trick-or-treated up and down the rows, adults joined in the costume contests and raffles, and food trucks kept everyone well-fed.
A big highlight of the evening was Rivian’s on-site presence, offering demo drives of both the R1T and R1S. Many attendees took the opportunity to get behind the wheel and connect with Rivian staff.
This was one of the most joyful, high-energy events of the year — a reminder that community grows best when everyone is welcome, wheels included.
BARC Thanksgiving Food Drive
November 16 – Walnut Creek
Our community came together in a big way for this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive at Headlands Brewery. With food insecurity still affecting families across Contra Costa and Solano Counties, we partnered with the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano to raise funds and collect non-perishable goods.
Thanks to member generosity, we surpassed our goal — raising more than $800 through our BARC-specific donation link — and collected bags of non-perishable items to support the food bank’s seasonal distribution efforts.
The afternoon was warm and community-focused, with members catching up over local beer, donating items, and connecting for a good cause. Headlands Brewery provided the perfect backdrop for a day rooted in gratitude and giving back.
Thank you to every member who donated, attended, or helped spread the word. BARC showed up — and made a difference.
Upcoming Events
Campfire Chat: Tires
Wednesday, November 19 — 7:00–8:00 PM (Virtual)
Our next Campfire Chat is all about tires — what works, what doesn’t, and what Rivian owners across BARC are actually running. Whether you’re choosing between 20”, 21”, and 22” wheels or just want real-world feedback, this session has you covered.
We’ll break things down by wheel size and cover:
- Road-focused and all-season options
- Aggressive A/T and off-road setups
- Popular picks from Falken, Toyo, BFG, Goodyear, Michelin, and more
Each category will feature owner spotlights: quick interviews with members currently running that setup, with honest feedback on noise, mileage, comfort, and performance.
We’ll also touch on:
- How wheel size affects ride quality, range, and availability
- Chain-control realities for all Rivian wheel sizes
- Quick updates on upcoming BARC events
Want to contribute?
Share your tire experience here
BARC Holiday Toy Drive — Toys for Tots
Sunday, December 14 — 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Palo Alto Rivian Space — 180 El Camino Real, Suite 450B, Palo Alto
Help us bring some joy to local kids this holiday season.
Join us at the Palo Alto Rivian Space for an in-person Toy Drop-Off Event in partnership with Toys for Tots. Bring a new, unwrapped toy, hang out with the community, and we’ll take care of the rest — a BARC volunteer will deliver the full collection to the Toys for Tots warehouse the following week.
What to Bring
- New, unwrapped toys
- Need ideas? A curated gift guide is available here:https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1P1K31BC561UR
Where Donations Go
Toys will be delivered to the San Jose Toys for Tots warehouse:
901 E Mission St, San Jose, CA
Drop-off hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM
Extras
The Palo Alto Rivian Space will be providing coffee and pastries for attendees.
Closing Thoughts
As we wrap up this issue, we’re already looking ahead to next year. Planning for 2026 is underway, and we’re excited to bring back some community favorites — including a return to Alice’s — along with new adventures, new meetups, and more ways for Rivian owners across the Bay Area to connect.
Every event this year has reinforced what makes this community special. Whether we’re wrenching together, giving back to our coastline, donating to families in need, or meeting for coffee before a drive, BARC continues to grow because of the people who show up and shape it.
Thanks for being part of this club — and here’s to many more miles, trails, and shared moments ahead.
Stay Adventurous,
—Team BARC (CJ, Chris H., Chris V., Michael, Richard, and Zak)
