California Westys

DAberasturi

★★★★★

4 months ago

If you have a VW, Cesar’s team is the place to go. They are up front and honest. They take on anything from an oil change to a complete guts out restoration.

Stewart Eastep

★★★★★

3 years ago

I came in (on short notice) for an engine issue on my EJ. Cesar and his mechanics are amazing and extremely knowledgeable. My van was in the absolute best of hands and they helped me get back on the road fast. They didn’t need my business but was very happy to have them working on my van.

Stacey Turner

★★★★★

4 years ago

I have a 1986 VW van that I have had for about 25 years. I have always put money into maintaining the engine and not the body. I was finally able to have the body work done and of course I went to Cesar at Cal Westy. I already know he and his crew do good work because they rebuilt my van after it caught on fire. And he's done other maintenance type work for me. It took a little longer than I expected, but when I got it back it was incredible. I was amazed at how beautiful it looked and also the attention to detail. Honestly, when I went to pick it up, I didn't recognize it, and I walked right past it. It was beautiful.......... I only know it is the same van because it drives the same. :) Cesar went above and beyond for me. I feel proud in my van now because it looks great! Thank you Cesar and to all your crew :)

C C

★★★★★

6 months ago

This shop, the owner Cesar, and all the workers deserve all the praise. They are so knowledgeable about VWs, kind and honest people, and customer-focused. I’m so happy I found them!!

T & K Cruger

★★★★★

a year ago

I was broke down and in a tough spot. Cali Westy went out of their way to ensure I was back up and running in the fastest manner possible. They treated me well and even gifted my son with a hat on our way out the door. My 3.3 SVX never had run so well as when we departed their shop. It pushed the Syncro home trouble free. I would recommend these guys and this shop to anyone broke down or running strong.

Jason Bozanich

★★★★★

10 years ago

What can I say? Cesar and his crew are amazing. I was having some issues with performance with my 84' Westy that another shop couldn't figure out for some reason. After having spent over 5 grand and over 3 weeks at San Diego Westy I was given back a under performing van and as you can imagine I was left pretty disappointed. I'll try not to focus too much on my bad experience with San Diego Westy (see the review on Yelp in the days to come), but I would recommend to anyone with a Westfalia that you see Cesar and his crew at California Westys first and do not take your van to San Diego Westy. Cesar was honest, professional and I could tell he had plenty of experience the moment I brought my van to his shop. First off all you see is a well run operation once you arrive. His lot is filled with Westys and mechanics all over the place. Restoring vans from the ground up, rebuilding engines, you name it. He took a ride with me in my van along with one of his mechanics. They could totally understand my frustration with the performance, but Cesar assured me that they would work their magic and get the issue resolved. I showed them all the previous work that had been done at San Diego Westy and they were shocked by how much I was charged for previous work done to my van. This of course added to my frustration and Cesar could see this. Once again though he assured me they would dive into the under performing issue and get it resolved for me. They did engine performance test, valve clearance adjustment, engine compression test-- which he graciously did at no charge. Ignition timing adjustment, and replaced the spark plugs. I dropped my van off on a Tuesday late afternoon and all this work was completed by Thursday afternoon of the same week. I was back at the shop picking up my van by the end of the day on Thursday. It runs amazingly well now. Better than I ever imagined at a price that was very fair and reasonable. My only regret was not taking my Westy to Cesar and his crew first. I would've saved myself a ton of $$ and a very disappointing first repair experience. So I stress to anyone and fully recommend Cesar and his crew. They are true Westy mechanics. Thank you Cesar and your wonderful crew.

Dragonfly

★★★★★

3 years ago

Cesar and his crew are the VeeDub experts. They literally do it all, I’ve had my 1985 x3 yrs now and they have serviced my van many times for a variety of things. The work is superb and I love how ez it is to talk with Cesar and his crew. They are all so nice and this is their specialty it’s all they do all day. Thanks guys for getting me back on the the road again much appreciation to you all✌️

Douglas Murguia

★★★★★

6 years ago

Cesar and his team are amazing. Got my Westy restored two years ago! I couldn’t be happier. I Always come back for all my routine checkups and they always get my van in and out in a timely fashion while I wait! Highly recommended!!!

E King

★★★★★

10 years ago

Cesar and his mechanics are incredible! I showed up in the rain with my '85 Vanagon asking for parts and they were all incredibly professional and helpful. He didn't mind me asking questions and looking around his amazing shop. All while his guys were hard at work on my VW... Even lying underneath with rain dripping in their eyes. Unbelievable customer service, affordable, and truly experts at their trade. 5+ stars through and through!!

Steve Todey

★☆☆☆☆

Edited 5 years ago

Had my 84 Westy repaired here after getting rear ended and it took so much longer than they said it would. Then when I finally went to pick it up (took like 4 trains to get there from LA) when I got there it wasn’t done! They had the old damaged bumper still on and Cesar told me that “that didn’t happen in the accident” I was at a loss!!! It took several more hours before I was on my way #TotalFrustration. Plus there was/is so much over spray. I also have a friend up here in Los Angeles who has a weekender, who had bodywork and paint done there and was totally displeased with Cesar and the work. He has since had it re-done up here in LA and it looks amazing!

Paul van Dyck

★★★★★

4 years ago

A major mechanical on a road trip far from home necessitated repairs. Recommended Ca Westies by multiple sources. Cesar and crew took care of me in a timely fashion and quality work(a new motor). 3k+ miles and zero issues.

Brooke Barnum

★★★★★

6 years ago

I am absolutely IN LOVE with my '89 Westy, Ruby, that I purchased from CA Westy's nearly a year ago. I have had very few minor issues with her and when I did, Cesar and his crew have gone above and beyond with both customer service and mechanical service. I recently returned from a nearly 4000 mile road trip with Ruby. Prior to leaving, CA Westy's checked everything and assured me that I shouldn't have any problems, as long as I checked the oil and coolant levels, which I did. Still a little nervous about the trip, Cesar gave me a list of VW mechanics along my route that would be able to help me. Fortunately, I had no use for the list. Ruby was a trooper and a total pleasure the entire trip. Having this vehicle has added so much positivity to my life by allowing me to go on adventures and excursions and knowing that CA Westy has my back, makes it all worthwhile. Thank you Cesar and all your fabulous crew!

Deepak Pillai

★★★★★

4 years ago

Review is about the helpful attitude and not actual work done. My Westy broke down on my way back from Joshua tree to the Bay area. I was closer to LA and called California Westys. Cesar answered the phone, was very helpful in offering to prioritize to look at it on the same day if I tow it there before they close, gave me a couple of ideas on what could be the issue after listening to issue I described, and also advised me to show it to a local mechanic first. The local mechanic was able to fix it quickly, and we were on our way. So this is to say thank you for being thoughtful and flexible.

joseph viles

★★★★★

4 years ago

Had Cesar put in a new subaru 2.5 engine And now i have all the power I need for freeway driving and just generally a completely reliable 1985 westy! Very happy with Cesar and his crew!

Jake P.

★★★★★

8 years ago

Jake here- California westys always does the best work! Cesar and his guys are all very respectable and they do amazing work! Anytime I have something from a small to big issue I bring my vanagon here and they never fail me or my van! A wise man once said "If you buy quality you only cry once"

Atliftoff

★★★★★

Edited 3 years ago

Two years ago my VW van caught on fire. It is an "86 Westfalia. I have been all over the United States in my van. I had it towed to my house where it sat for almost a year. I had to decide to fix it or sell it. I decided to fix it and so I contacted Cesar. I wanted to work with him because he specializes in VW vans and he and his crew do everything: mechanical repairs, rebuilding, and body work. Cesar came out to my house, looked at my van and told me he felt it could be repaired. I had it towed to his shop and he fixed it. It runs great! It runs strong and I am in love with my van again! Thank you Cesar. P.S. I told Cesar I didn't want to write a review because then everyone would come to Cesar and he would have no time for me. He said he would always have time for me! Yay!

benjamin boudreault

★★★★★

10 years ago

Phenominal service! Great prices. On our way to Mexico our ring and pinion gave way to the grapevine. This all happened on a Saturday night. Stressing out not wanting to loose out on one day of our yearly two week holiday I was referred to Ceasar owner of California westy by Salim at Country Home Campers. We limped our car to San Diego that night hung out at ocean beach for a day with our dogs. Monday morning called five of the best westfalia shops in a 50 mile radius. All of them said 5-7 days to repair (Meatloaf) our van. After diagnosing the problem and confirming my suspicion of our malfunction Caesar promised us that we would be leaving his shop the next morning. He took us in at 930 am Monday morning and had us on the road 6 pm that night all with in business hours. 3k miles later we are back from our trip safely home in san Fransisco and our van has never ran better. Thank you Caesar and the California Westy team.