We’re taking a deep dive into the world of Rivian with a very special tour. Abby and I are celebrating our church wedding anniversary (yes, we Filipinos have more than one!), and she’s joined me for a day of exploring the newest Rivian spaces in Southern California.
We’re starting at the historic South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach, which Rivian has transformed into a stunning brand space. This is the same location where RJ Scaringe first revealed the R2 last year, but today, we’re here for a limited edition beast: the Rivian R1 California Dune.
The Rivian R1 California Dune Edition
The California Dune is a limited-run Tri-Motor trim that features a unique aesthetic inspired by the West Coast landscape.
- Exterior Color: In person, the color is more of a subtle off-white than a true tan. It’s elegant, but I almost wish it had a bit more “sand” in the pigment.
- Interior Refinement: The interior is where this edition really shines. It features a specific “California Dune” material on the flooring that isn’t traditional carpet—it feels much more rugged and easier to clean after a day at the beach.
- Ascent Trim Differences: While it shares the Tri-Motor platform, the interior accents differ from the standard Ascent trim. Interestingly, the trim pieces are back to being shiny, whereas the standard Tri-Motor R1S we tested had a more matte finish.
- Standard Gear: Being a Tri-Motor, it comes loaded. You get the roof crossbars and the recovery gear included as standard equipment.
Technical Specs & Efficiency Observations
During our drive between Laguna Beach and the new Rivian store in Irvine, I kept a close eye on the trip data.
| Metric | Value |
| Total Distance | 138.2 Miles |
| Energy Used | 48 kWh |
| Efficiency | 2.89 miles/kWh |
For an R1S, nearly 2.9 miles/kWh is solid efficiency, especially considering the mix of coastal driving and freeway miles.
The New Irvine Rivian Store
After a delicious lunch at Habana in the Irvine Spectrum (the braised beef is highly recommended!), we headed over to the brand-new Rivian store located right in front of the Cheesecake Factory.
- Crowd Favorite: The store was buzzing. It’s great to see so much public interest in the brand.
- Powered Tonneau Evolution: I noticed a key hardware difference on the R1T on display. Unlike the Cybertruck’s two-button system, the Rivian powered tonneau is a one-button operation. You press it to start the motion and press it again to stop. The newest version also appears to use a rolling slat design that stacks internally, similar to the Cybertruck’s vault.
Wheels & Tires: A Pro Tip for Owners
While at the Laguna space, I checked out the current tire options. Rivian has largely moved away from the 21-inch road wheel. My Advice: If you’re looking at a Gen 1 or Gen 2, stick with the 20-inch or 22-inch options. The 21-inch tires have very limited third-party options and can actually be more expensive to replace in the long run. I wish I had gone with the 20-inch all-terrains originally, especially now that I’m doing more off-roading.
Hardware Gear Highlights
| Item | Location / Note |
| California Dune Flooring | Non-carpeted, beach-ready material. |
| Tri-Motor Accents | Signature yellow branding; upcoming Quad-Motors will be blue. |
| Rivian Apparel | Location-specific shirts (Laguna & Irvine) are only available in-store! |
| Outlets | Standard on R1; a major utility win over the Tesla Model X. |
Final Thoughts
Abby made a surprising comment today: “We should have gotten the R1S instead of the Cybertruck.” While she still prefers the Tesla UI, the space and utility of the R1S are hard to deny. For us, the ideal garage would likely be a Cybertruck and an R1S Gen 2.
If you’re planning to pick up a Rivian, I highly recommend visiting these spaces. They offer a “no-pressure” way to feel the materials and see the colors in the Southern California sun.
