Points to Do in Bakersfield, CA. At the southern end of The golden state's Central Valley, Bakersfield is a city in Kern Area built upon a rich background of oil and also agriculture. Much of that history is still on screen yet is currently combined with modern attractions, including an arising art as well as society scene sustained by an innovative area. Places to experience several of the old Bakersfield with the brand-new include the Bakersfield Museum of Art and the nearly 90-year-old Fox Theater in the heart of downtown.
Bakersfield
The soundtrack for seeing the city would have to be the Bakersfield Sound, a sub-genre of c and w popularized in the 50s and 60s by neighborhood artists like Dollar Owens as well as Merle Haggard. This explosion of c and w and its connections to Bakersfield aided in the city gaining its moniker of The C and w Funding of the West Coastline. The Bakersfield Audio can be experienced at locations like Dollar Owens' Crystal Palace and the Kern Area Gallery, where visitors can walk through Merle Haggard's youth residence.
Bakersfield is also a gateway to the outdoors and also nature fans will find no scarcity of points to do. Within city restrictions, locations like Hart Memorial Park and also Scenic view Panorama Maintain give prompt accessibility to lakeside picnic areas as well as mile-long sights. The magnificent Kern River passes throughout the city, paralleled by the pedestrian-only Kern River Parkway Trail. A noticeable background of the city, the world-renowned Sierra Nevada Mountains are easily gotten to from Bakersfield, consisting of the grandeur of areas like Sequoia National Forest and also Kings Canyon National Forest.
For even more concepts on the very best places to check out, review our listing of the top things to do in Bakersfield.
1. Hart Boneyard Editor's Select
Devoted in 1929, Hart Memorial Park still holds the surprise gems of what makes northeast Bakersfield so special. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and nestled along the banks of the Kern River, this 370-acre public area features 2 fishing lakes equipped with rainbow trout, bluegill, as well as bass. Populated with outing tables, play grounds, and also paved walking routes, the entire park is also covered with shade thanks to countless fully grown trees throughout.
Popular for walkers, bicyclists, as well as families looking for a picnic, Hart Memorial Park is still undergoing improvements through a large revitalization task embarked on by the region. 2 disc-golf courses wind throughout Hart Park, consisting of a difficult 18 holes that navigate the steep surface of the adjacent Sharktooth Hillside.
Found 10 miles from midtown, Hart Boneyard belongs to the much bigger Kern River Area Park, which includes the close-by California Location Living Museum and also Lake Ming.
A songs venue, dining establishment, and gallery all in one, Dollar Owens' Crystal Palace is devoted to keeping the Bakersfield Noise to life as well as well. This is one of the city's most prominent visitor attrations. Including modern as well as classic country western performances and also dancing, the schedule at the Crystal Palace includes multiple performers weekly. The menu at the Crystal Royal residence ranges from appetiser opening acts to main phase entrees, including hen fried steak.
The on-site Dollar Owens' Museum attributes memorabilia as well as interpretive details about the regional artist's profession, in addition to the total rise of country western songs in the United States. Fun for the whole household and supplying a special slice of American history, it's tough not to take pleasure in the positive ambience of the Crystal Palace also if you do not consider on your own a c and w follower. For even more insight into the Bakersfield Noise, the Kern Area Gallery includes an unique exhibition describing the musical phenomena.
Address: 2800 Dollar Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, The golden state
Main site: https://www.buckowens.com/
3. Kern Area Gallery
Submersing site visitors right into the fabled background of Kern Area, this family members preferred educational experience features costumed personalities as well as unspoiled artifacts. Over 60 historic structures make up the gallery's exterior america Pioneer Village, a living-history gallery spanning over 16 acres. An interactive exhibit concerning the region's history with the oil market supplies understanding on the black gold that spurred advancement in Kern Region, and the Lori Brock Kid's Discovery Center at the gallery mixes scientific research education with hands-on learning.
The "Bakersfield Sound" exhibition at the Kern Area Museum highlights a number of the influential artists who established their voice in Bakersfield. Buck Owens is on complete screen at the museum, and also his tradition survives on at the neighboring Buck Owens' Crystal Palace. Site visitors can learn more concerning local legend, Merle Haggard, via the exhibition, along with at the Haggard Residence on the gallery's grounds-- the original home where Merle was birthed as well as increased.
Address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, California
Main site: https://kerncountymuseum.org/
4. Fox Cinema
Opened on Christmas day in 1930, the Fox Theater is a historical place in Bakersfield understood for its elaborate interior and outstanding acoustics. Initially a movie house and also ultimately showcasing several of the very first "talkies" to strike the screen, this building prize directly prevented the ravaging ball throughout the 1980s. Conserved by neighborhood initiatives, the Fox Cinema Foundation formed and also re-invented the place in 1994. Today, online music performances take control of the phase at the Fox Cinema, adding a fantastic soundtrack to appreciate the ornamental inside.
Address: 2001 H Street, Bakersfield, California
Official site: http://thebakersfieldfox.com/
5. The Park at Riverwalk
Linked to the Kern River Parkway Path southwest of midtown, this captivating city park features two connected lakes preferred for angling. The stream linking the lakes meanders throughout the rest of the 32-acre park, with beautiful footbridge crossings throughout. Popular for family members barbecues and leisurely walks, the park truly shines come sundown. Within the park, the Spectrum Amphitheater is one of the biggest exterior places in the area, holding real-time music celebrations as well as events throughout the year.
Address: 11298 Stockdale Freeway, Bakersfield, California
6. Kern River Parkway Trail
Kern River Parkway Trail
A totally free and also enjoyable means to spend the day, the Kern River Parkway Path is a non-motorized pedestrian path that complies with the financial institutions of the picturesque Kern River. Attaching numerous natural spaces and exterior attractions of Bakersfield, including Hart Memorial Park as well as Riverwalk Park, this picturesque hallway is preferred for strollers, joggers, as well as bicyclists. An accomplishment of city preparation and also public land gain access to, the Parkway and smooth path period over 20 miles, including with the heart of the city.
7. California Living Gallery (TRANQUILITY).
Lake Ming.
Component of the larger Kern River County Park northeast of downtown, including the nearby Hart Boneyard, the California Living Museum (CALM) supplies a home for hurt and non-releasable The golden state indigenous pets. Accredited by the Zoological Organization of America, CALM makes every effort to connect the area to regional animals through education and learning, ideas, as well as hands-on experience. Animals under the care of CALM consist of black bears, bighorn lamb, as well as a selection of birds.
Within Kern River County Park as well as a short drive from CALM, Lake Ming uses a lot more scenic appeal as well as a camping site to spend the night. This synthetic entertainment lake is lined with picnic tables and shade spots, excellent for angling or consuming a barbecue near the coast. Accessed from the lake road, the Kern River Camping area enables visitors to invest the night in a tent or RV with close-by flushing commodes and showers.
Address: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, The golden state.
Main website: http://calmzoo.org/.
8. Bakersfield Museum of Art.
Established in 1956, the Bakersfield Gallery of Art (BMoA) has actually provided a home window right into the imaginative Kern Area area for nearly 60 years. BMoA features regularly visiting exhibits and also a permanent collection consisted of 20th-century California artists. The very best represented tools at BMoA include paintings, sculptures, and digital photography. The museum fills their occasion schedule with activities such as Yoga at the Gallery and also First Fridays Free Admission, in addition to education and learning programs for youngsters and also grownups.
Adjacent to the Bakersfield Gallery of Art, as well as quickly accessed from the gallery's Tejon Cattle ranch Sculpture Park, the aesthetically pleasing Mill Creek Park and path offers a great area to pause in the day. Featuring a trademark covered bridge and sufficient eco-friendly room, this straight park is additionally house to play areas, park benches, as well as a scenic course that adheres to a previous irrigation canal. Central to the Bakersfield metropolitan revitalization strategy, Mill Creek Park links midtown with other city destinations.
Address: 1930 R Road, Bakersfield, The golden state.
The top area for live entertainment in Bakersfield, the Rabobank Field is the city's biggest venue for occasions and also unique efficiencies. House to the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey Organization, this multi-purpose space likewise includes performances, Broadway efficiencies, and also other sporting events including monster truck rallies and Disney on Ice.
The well-decorated outdoor plaza of Rabobank Arena mean the splendour within this contemporary field, and many hotels lie near the center, giving simple lodgings for those going to for an occasion.
Address: 1001 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, The golden state.
Main site: http://www.rabobankarena.com/.
10. Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia National Forest.
Bakersfield is blessed with world-class picturesque atmospheres close to the city. The Kern River Canyon begins simply northeast of the midtown district and also leads deep right into the southern Sierra Nevada Hills, consisting of the captivating world of Sequoia National Forest. The park includes wild as well as picturesque rivers, glacier-carved canyons, and also a minimum of 30 groves of towering sequoia trees. Popular ways to explore the forest consist of backpacking and hiking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, as well as spending the evening at one of the several camping sites throughout.
The country-spanning Pacific Crest Trail twists through the national park on its method north to Sequoia National Park, together with the countless other miles of hiking trails, kept roads, and also crushed rock courses that line this rich natural room. The forest is residence to parts of 6 different marked wild locations, consisting of the 95,000-acre Domeland Wilderness. With elevations as high as 12,000 feet, Sequoia National Forest additionally supplies on wintertime tasks throughout fifty percent of the year.
Main website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/sequoia/home.
11. Panorama View Preserve.
Scenic View Vista Preserve.
Encompassing over 900 acres on both sides of the Kern River northeast of midtown, Panorama Vista Preserve is a concealed treasure of natural space right in the city's backyard. As soon as a prospering riparian passage, overdevelopment virtually cleaned the scenery clean from this river flow. Many thanks to area initiatives and large replanting endeavors, Scenic view Panorama Preserve is growing back right into the lush forested landscape it once was as well as is now prominent for low-impact route tasks like hiking, cycling, and also equine riding.
Address: 901 E Roberts Lane, Bakersfield, California.
Main website: http://panoramavista.org.
12. Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science.
A few blocks from the Fox Theater in downtown Bakersfield, the Buena Panorama Gallery of Natural History & Science shows artefacts and fossils from throughout Kern County and also past. Skeletal remains, taxidermic wildlife, and many interpretive exhibits are discovered within this midtown museum, in addition to a variety of information concerning several scientific self-controls. Archaeology gets on full display screen at the gallery, with a huge collection of oceanic fossils gathered from the nearby Sharktooth Hillside.
Checking Out the Sierra Nevada Hills: Bakersfield produces a great basecamp for seeing the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The huge trees and vivid atmosphere of Sequoia National Forest is a brief drive from Bakersfield, including all the very best campgrounds of Sequoia National forest. Among the most popular places in the Sierra Nevada's, Yosemite National forest is also easily obtainable from Bakersfield, as well as the most effective walking trails in Yosemite National forest can aid you see it all.
Close-by California Coastal Cities: The stunning sundowns as well as ocean spray of San Luis Obispo Area is a short drive from Bakersfield. Alongside the central city of San Luis Obispo, the seaside community of Morro Bay is a terrific place to defeat the warmth and take pleasure in the natural environments. Farther southern on the coast, the charming town of Pismo Beach supplies interesting tourist attractions as well as whatever needed for a relaxing sea trip.