Last night in San Mateo, El Camino Real, stretching from 3rd Ave to 31st Ave, roared to life as nostalgic car enthusiasts revved their engines to participate in the long-awaited return of Bay Area Cruise Night. This evocative event resplendently harkened back to the golden age of cruising, delighting both new and returning participants alike.

According to Bay Area Cruise Night's Facebook announcement, yesterday's edition of the event was expected to attract around 4,000 cars. The announcement also emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relationships with local law enforcement agencies such as the San Mateo Police Department (SMPD) and San Mateo County Sheriff's Office (SMCS) in order to continue the growth and flourishing of this automotive extravaganza.

The event's balance between nostalgia and modernity owes much to the organizers' dedication to preserving the spirit of a classic "cruise" and their insistence that cruise participants focus on driving, instead of treating the event as a stationary car show. Participants were encouraged to fully embrace the spirit of the cruise by driving up and down El Camino Real, from Hillsdale Mall to 3rd Ave, between 7 PM and 9 PM.

Although the Facebook announcement vividly stressed that this was not a drag race or a sideshow and there was no pre-meet car show organized by BACN, they made it clear that cruising was the focal point of the event, revelers were encouraged to support local businesses while enjoying the melodic symphony of engines and the visual spectacle of classic cars in motion on El Camino Real.

Throughout the course of this lively event, participants were urged to cruise responsibly, avoid any actions that might lead to the event's premature ending, and, perhaps most importantly, have fun.