Bakersfield, CA

The Home of Country Music

Bakersfield, CA., sits in California’s San Joaquin Valley at about 100 miles northwest from Los Angeles. It is an industrial town where much of the nation’s oil and coal come from. And while it could be considered an off-the-beaten-path destination, the reality is that it is full of history, culture and nearby natural attractions. Commonly called “Nashville West”, Bakersfield is the home of country music legends Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. A visit to the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace and the Kern County Museum will immerse visitors in the rich history that created the “Bakersfield Sound”. For some outdoor excitement, the Kern River is nearby and has Class I through Class V whitewater rapids, which draw visitors from around the world. Kern River Outfitters provide all-inclusive rafting trips from beginner through expert and was named by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the best adventure travel companies on earth. For more fun on the river, kayaking, rock climbing and even panning for gold are all available through the area’s guides like Rivers End Rafting and Adventure.

Bakersfield is also where you can see a very wide array of auto racing and other professional sports. Racing has a long history here with four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick calling Bakersfield home. There is road, dirt track and drag racing on land as well as National Jet Boat Association drag racing at Lake Ming. At the Bakersfield Speedway, guests can catch the excitement of the World of Outlaws series for the weekly racing on weekends. Fresno is home to several professional sports teams including the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League and the Train Robbers of Pecos League baseball. The Park at River Walk is a great place to relax with the 32 acres of land, two lakes and small streams. Walk along the river through grassy fields and take a in a picnic or stop by the Bright House Amphitheatre where you can catch seasonal concerts and performances. The park’s two lakes have also become popular fishing spots as well as great places to just sit back and relax. The nearby California Living Museum is unique in that it is home to endangered and rare animals that cannot return to the wild due to injury and is in a beautiful park setting.