Points to Do in Bakersfield, CA. At the southern end of California's Central Valley, Bakersfield is a city in Kern Region built upon an abundant history of oil as well as farming. Much of that history is still on display screen but is currently integrated with modern attractions, including an arising art and culture scene sustained by an innovative area. Places to experience some of the old Bakersfield with the brand-new consist of the Bakersfield Museum of Art as well as the nearly 90-year-old Fox Theater in the heart of downtown.
Bakersfield
The soundtrack for checking out the city would have to be the Bakersfield Noise, a sub-genre of country music promoted in the 50s as well as 60s by regional musicians like Buck Owens and also Merle Haggard. This surge of country music and also its ties to Bakersfield aided in the city gaining its name of The C and w Resources of the West Coastline. The Bakersfield Noise can be experienced at areas like Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and the Kern Area Gallery, where visitors can walk through Merle Haggard's youth home.
Bakersfield is likewise a portal to the open airs and nature lovers will certainly find no shortage of things to do. Within city limits, areas like Hart Boneyard and also View Panorama Protect give instant accessibility to lakeside barbecue areas and mile-long sights. The mighty Kern River passes right through the city, paralleled by the pedestrian-only Kern River Parkway Trail. A popular backdrop of the city, the world-renowned Sierra Nevada Hills are conveniently reached from Bakersfield, consisting of the majesty of locations like Sequoia National Forest and Kings Canyon National Forest.
For more ideas on the best locations to go to, review our list of the leading things to do in Bakersfield.
1. Hart Memorial Park Editor's Pick
Dedicated in 1929, Hart Boneyard still holds the concealed treasures of what makes northeast Bakersfield so unique. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Hills, and also nestled along the banks of the Kern River, this 370-acre public room includes two angling lakes equipped with rainbow trout, bluegill, and bass. Dotted with picnic tables, playgrounds, and also paved strolling tracks, the whole park is additionally covered with color thanks to various mature trees throughout.
Popular for hikers, bicyclists, and families county looking for a barbecue, Hart Boneyard is still going through improvements through a substantial revitalization job taken on by the area. Two disc-golf training courses wind throughout Hart Park, including a challenging 18 openings that browse the steep surface of the adjacent Sharktooth Hillside.
Located 10 miles from midtown, Hart Memorial Park becomes part of the much bigger Kern River Area Park, which includes the close-by California Location Living Gallery as well as Lake Ming.
A songs place, dining establishment, as well as museum done in one, Dollar Owens' Crystal Royal residence is dedicated to keeping the Bakersfield Noise alive as well as well. This is just one of the city's most prominent traveler attrations. Including modern and timeless country western shows and also dancing, the schedule at the Crystal Palace consists of multiple performers every week. The menu at the Crystal Palace varies from appetiser opening acts to main stage entrees, consisting of poultry fried steak.
The on-site Buck Owens' Gallery functions souvenirs and also interpretive information regarding the local musician's job, in addition to the overall increase of country western music in the United States. Enjoyable for the entire family and also providing a special piece of American background, it's hard not to delight in the positive environment of the Crystal Palace even if you don't consider yourself a country music follower. For more understanding right into the Bakersfield Sound, the Kern County Museum consists of a special display detailing the music phenomena.
Address: 2800 Dollar Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, The golden state
Official website: https://www.buckowens.com/
3. Kern Region Gallery
Submersing site visitors into the fabled background of Kern Region, this family members favorite instructional experience attributes costumed characters as well as well-preserved artifacts. Over 60 historical frameworks comprise the museum's outside Leader Town, a living-history museum spanning over 16 acres. An interactive display relating to the area's background with the oil sector offers understanding on the black gold that spurred advancement in Kern Area, and the Lori Brock Kid's Exploration Center at the museum mixes scientific research education with hands-on knowing.
The "Bakersfield Audio" exhibition at the Kern Area Gallery highlights a number of the influential artists that established their voice in Bakersfield. Buck Owens is on complete display at the museum, and also his tradition survives on at the nearby Dollar Owens' Crystal Palace. Site visitors can learn more regarding regional tale, Merle Haggard, through the exhibition, along with at the Haggard Residence on the museum's grounds-- the initial house where Merle was born and elevated.
Address: 3801 Chester Method, Bakersfield, The golden state
Official website: https://kerncountymuseum.org/
4. Fox Cinema
Opened on Christmas day in 1930, the Fox Theater is a historical venue in Bakersfield known for its elaborate interior and also exceptional acoustics. Initially a cinema and at some point showcasing several of the initial "talkies" to hit the screen, this architectural prize narrowly avoided the damaging round throughout the 1980s. Saved by community initiatives, the Fox Theater Foundation developed as well as re-invented the place in 1994. Today, real-time music performances take control of the phase at the Fox Theater, adding a fantastic soundtrack to enjoy the ornamental interior.
Address: 2001 H Street, Bakersfield, California
Main website: http://thebakersfieldfox.com/
5. The Park at Riverwalk
Attached to the Kern River Parkway Path southwest of downtown, this enchanting city park includes two connected lakes prominent for fishing. The stream linking the lakes meanders throughout the rest of the 32-acre park, with scenic footbridge crossings throughout. Popular for family picnics and leisurely strolls, the park really shines come sunset. Within the park, the Range Amphitheater is among the biggest outdoor places in the area, organizing real-time songs festivals and occasions throughout the year.
Address: 11298 Stockdale Freeway, Bakersfield, The golden state
6. Kern River Parkway Trail
Kern River Parkway Path
A free as well as enjoyable method to invest the day, the Kern River Parkway Path is a non-motorized pedestrian route that follows the banks of the scenic Kern River. Connecting several all-natural areas and also outdoor tourist attractions of Bakersfield, consisting of Hart Boneyard and Riverwalk Park, this picturesque hallway is preferred for infant strollers, runners, as well as bikers. A success of city preparation and also public land gain access to, the Parkway as well as paved route span over 20 miles, consisting of with the heart of the city.
7. California Living Museum (CALM).
Lake Ming.
Part of the bigger Kern River Area Park northeast of midtown, consisting of the neighboring Hart Boneyard, the California Living Museum (CALMNESS) provides a home for damaged and also non-releasable The golden state indigenous animals. Recognized by the Zoological Organization of America, CALM strives to link the community to neighborhood animals with education, ideas, and also hands-on experience. Animals under the treatment of CALMNESS include black bears, bighorn sheep, and also a selection of birds.
Within Kern River Area Park and also a short drive from CALM, Lake Ming provides much more breathtaking charm as well as a camping area to invest the evening. This man-made entertainment lake is lined with barbecue tables and color spots, perfect for fishing or eating a barbecue near the shore. Accessed from the lake road, the Kern River Camping area allows visitors to invest the evening in a camping tent or Motor Home with neighboring flushing commodes and showers.
Address: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, California.
Main website: http://calmzoo.org/.
8. Bakersfield Gallery of Art.
Developed in 1956, the Bakersfield Gallery of Art (BMoA) has actually provided a window into the innovative Kern Region community for almost 60 years. BMoA includes frequently touring exhibits and a long-term collection comprised of 20th-century The golden state musicians. The very best represented mediums at BMoA consist of paints, sculptures, and also digital photography. The gallery fills their event schedule with tasks such as Yoga exercise at the Museum and First Fridays Free Admission, as well as education and learning programs for kids as well as adults.
Adjacent to the Bakersfield Museum of Art, as well as conveniently accessed from the museum's Tejon Cattle ranch Sculpture Park, the aesthetically pleasing Mill Creek Park and also path uses an excellent place to relax in the day. Including a signature covered bridge as well as sufficient environment-friendly room, this direct park is also home to play areas, park benches, as well as a beautiful path that follows a previous watering canal. Central to the Bakersfield city revitalization strategy, Mill Creek Park attaches downtown with various other city destinations.
Address: 1930 R Road, Bakersfield, The golden state.
The top place for real-time enjoyment in Bakersfield, the Rabobank Arena is the city's largest location for events and also unique performances. Residence to the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey Organization, this multi-purpose room likewise includes concerts, Broadway efficiencies, and various other sporting occasions including beast vehicle rallies and also Disney on Ice.
The well-decorated exterior plaza of Rabobank Sector mean the magnificence within this modern-day sector, and also numerous hotels are located near the center, supplying easy holiday accommodations for those seeing for an occasion.
Address: 1001 Truxtun Opportunity, Bakersfield, California.
Official website: http://www.rabobankarena.com/.
10. Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia National Park.
Bakersfield is blessed with world-class scenic atmospheres near to the city. The Kern River Canyon begins simply northeast of the midtown area and leads deep into the southern Sierra Nevada Hills, including the charming world of Sequoia National park. The park encompasses wild and beautiful rivers, glacier-carved canyons, and also a minimum of 30 groves of imposing sequoia trees. Popular methods to discover the forest consist of backpacking and hiking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, as well as investing the evening at one of the several camping sites throughout.
The country-spanning Pacific Crest Route meanders with the national forest on its means north to Sequoia National forest, together with the hundreds of various other miles of hiking routes, maintained roads, as well as gravel paths that line this lavish all-natural area. The forest is house to parts of 6 various designated wilderness locations, consisting of the 95,000-acre Domeland Wilderness. With altitudes as high as 12,000 feet, Sequoia National park likewise supplies on winter season tasks throughout fifty percent of the year.
Main site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sequoia/home.
11. Panorama Panorama Preserve.
Panorama Panorama Preserve.
Encompassing over 900 acres on both sides of the Kern River northeast of downtown, View Vista Preserve is a covert treasure of all-natural space right in the city's yard. Once a flourishing riparian passage, overdevelopment almost wiped the views tidy from this river flow. Many thanks to area initiatives and large replanting undertakings, Scenic view View Preserve is expanding back into the lavish forested landscape it when was and also is now prominent for low-impact trail tasks like treking, biking, and also steed riding.
Address: 901 E Roberts Lane, Bakersfield, The golden state.
Main website: http://panoramavista.org.
12. Buena View Museum of Natural History & Science.
A few blocks from the Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield, the Buena Panorama Gallery of Natural History & Scientific research presents artifacts as well as fossils from throughout Kern Region and beyond. Skeletal remains, taxidermic wild animals, as well as various interpretive exhibitions are located within this midtown gallery, in addition to a range of info relating to multiple clinical techniques. Archaeology gets on full display screen at the gallery, with a big collection of oceanic fossils gathered from the neighboring Sharktooth Hillside.
Discovering the Sierra Nevada Hills: Bakersfield creates an excellent basecamp for seeing the Sierra Nevada Hills. The huge trees as well as vibrant atmosphere of Sequoia National Forest is a short drive from Bakersfield, consisting of all the very best camping sites of Sequoia National Park. Among the most preferred places in the Sierra Nevada's, Yosemite National forest is also conveniently accessible from Bakersfield, and also the most effective walking tracks in Yosemite National forest can aid you see it all.
Neighboring The Golden State Coastal Cities: The sensational sunsets and sea spray of San Luis Obispo County is a brief drive from Bakersfield. Along with the main city of San Luis Obispo, the coastal community of Morro Bay is a fantastic area to defeat the warm and take pleasure in the natural environments. Farther southern on the coastline, the charming town of Pismo Beach supplies intriguing destinations as well as every little thing required for a relaxing sea escape.