Jeffrey AronsonThe second Destination Defender event of 2025 took place in Temecula, CA, last November. In addition to the emotional tug of the Defender Service Awards and the new Defender Book Trek (delivering 40,000 children’s books to underserved communities from New Jersey to California), the outdoor adventure weekend highlighted all you could do in your Defender.
We asked two correspondents to share their impressions.
Niel Stender, The Knocking Rod podcast
“The first thing I realized after Destination Defender is that I want an old Defender! Between the thousands of people, the stories, the enthusiasm, and — of course — the vehicles, I would argue that any enthusiast would be hard-pressed to feel differently after such an experience. There was a lot to take in at this celebration of all things Defender, and I loved all of it.
“It did rain — a lot — which Sam Allen, Defender Brand Director, informed me has been the norm at every Destination Defender thus far. While certainly not in character with Southern California wine country weather, I had a blast clomping around in the mud and muck, which felt very in character for a Defender. A brief stint behind the wheel of a new Defender 130, with Eric Weissleder from the Land Rover Experience Vermont as my guide, left me stunned at its off-road capabilities. I’m well aware that these Defenders are engineered to take serious abuse, but this first time driving one really impressed me.”
Before arriving at Destination Defender, I wondered how Series and original Defender enthusiasts felt about the modern variant. Does that mean owners of the old-school Land Rovers find the latest variants unworthy of the badge?
Clearly not, based on what I saw and heard. The owner’s parking lot featured Defenders, new and old, many modified. I met Charles Darling, who happily regaled my brother Tyler, my photographer and me about his collection of vintage Land Rovers to go along with one serious-looking Defender 110 L663. I also had the pleasure of chatting with Adam Spiker and his daughter Abby from the SoCal Land Rover Club, Tom Cryer from the Solihull Society [CO], and Bob Steele from the Rover Owners of Virginia. They shared a deep-seated passion for all things Defender.
This contagious level of Land Rover love only increased after my conversation with DAKAR Team driver Sara Price, and in chatting with Sam Allen about the JLRNA Defender Service Awards. This emotional program, which awards a Defender 130 to six different categories of non-profit service organizations in the US and Canada that collaborate with Land Rover to further their respective missions, did not leave a dry eye in the house.
“Destination Defender left me smiling from a general car guy perspective, hopefully with a cool old Land Rover of my own to wrench on sometime soon.”
Sandra Munoz, Latinaology.com
With my husband Bill, our journey started early Thursday morning as we drove 319 miles from Phoenix, AZ, to the Galway Downs equine event space. We spied a fleet f black Defender 130s, all lined up and gleaming under the overcast skies. The seasoned staff of the Land Rover Driving Team welcomed us with enthusiasm, encompassing a thorough safety briefing, a vehicle walk around, and a breathalyzer test for safety. Driving through the trail ide, they helped familiarize us as they explained all the buttons and controls awaiting our touch on the center console: Terrain Response, vehicle cameras, hill descent control and advanced traction technology.
The genuine excitement began as we navigated rocky hillsides, muddy paths, and steep inclines. Each section of the course presented a new challenge, testing not only the capabilities of the Defender but also our own driving skills. The instructors rode alongside, offering guidance and encouragement. Through every obstacle, my confidence grew as I learned to trust both the vehicle and my judgment.
One highlight of the day was the sense of camaraderie among participants. We cheered each other on, shared tips, and celebrated every successful climb or tricky maneuver. The course fostered a spirit of friendship that made the experience even more rewarding. We left with a deeper appreciation of the Land Rover Defender and a newfound confidence with our off-road skills.