Nestled within the southern San Joaquin Valley of California, Bakersfield offers plenty for visitors to see and do. From family-friendly museums and adrenaline-pumping outdoor adventures to top-notch arts and cultural offerings, the city provides many options to stay busy discovering all it has to offer.
| No. | Attraction | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kern County Museum | Historical exhibits spanning native lands to modern eras, with over 55 structures. |
| 2 | Hart Memorial Park | Green space with lawns, gardens, and historic architecture. |
| 3 | Murray Family Farms | Agri-tourism farm with fruit picking, tractor rides, and a petting zoo. |
| 4 | Bakersfield Museum of Art | Art museum with diverse collections spanning various eras and styles. |
| 5 | California Area Living Museum (CALM) | Wildlife rescue and sanctuary focusing on California species. |
| 6 | Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science | Exhibits on ancient fossils, gems, and a hands-on discovery center. |
| 7 | Rabobank Arena & Convention Center | Venue for concerts, sports, and theater performances. |
| 8 | Bakersfield Speedway | Race track for auto racing events and public participation. |
| 9 | The Padre Hotel | Restored 1930s hotel with dining and entertainment options. |
| 10 | Fox Theater | Historic theater with a variety of performances and iconic architecture. |
Whether you’re interested in history, sports, music, science, animals or architecture, Bakersfield boasts an array of attractions to pique most any interest. Located midway between Los Angeles and Fresno, it also makes a convenient stopover point rich with affordable attractions worth leaving the highway for.
Here are 12 of the top attractions and activities to check out while visiting Bakersfield:
Kern County Museum
Name and Location:
Kern County Museum, located in Bakersfield, California.
History and Significance:
Established in 1941, the museum preserves and exhibits artifacts significant to Kern County’s history, focusing on local culture, industry, and community life.
What to Expect:
Historical buildings, exhibits on oil industry and agriculture, and interactive educational displays.
Visitor Information:
Open to visitors with admission fees. Check their website for hours and special events.
Immerse yourself into regional history with 16 acres of exhibits spanning native lands through modern eras at the Kern County Museum. Located within 33 picturesque park acres, the museum campus contains over 55 antique structures plus a railroad engine and oil derrick representing major local industries. Must-see displays include native dwelling recreations, scary skeletons from Buena Vista Lake’s prehistoric excavation site and memorabilia from 1930s movies filmed around town. Kids love the hands-on science labs while train buffs admire vintage locomotives. With living history displays, summer bonfire nights and holiday events, there’s always something happening at this affordable family-friendly museum.
Hart Memorial Park
Name and Location:
Hart Memorial Park, northeast of downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Established in the 1920s, this park is one of the oldest in the area and is named after local philanthropist John Hart.
What to Expect:
Picnic areas, hiking trails, sports facilities, and abundant natural beauty.
Visitor Information:
Open daily, free of charge. Ideal for family outings and outdoor activities.
Beautiful Hart Memorial Park provides a lovely green space to relax amidst sprawling lawns, fragrant rose gardens and shady oak groves. Historic buildings dot the central city park with unique architecture like the Stone Pavilion made from locally quarried rocks and the 1928 band shell with its striking scalloped awning. Kids love feeding ducks in the pond, playing on sports courts or exploring the Harv Wooldridge Train Museum featuring miniature locomotives. Special events from outdoor movies to a winter lights festival make Hart Park a year-round community hive worth buzzing through.
Murray Family Farms
Name and Location:
Murray Family Farms, on the outskirts of Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
A family-owned and operated farm offering a hands-on agricultural experience and promoting local farming.
What to Expect:
U-pick fruits, petting zoo, seasonal activities, and farm-fresh produce for sale.
Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open seasonally. Check their website for hours and activities.
Less than 15 minutes out of town, this popular agri-tourism farm offers wholesome family fun. Murray Family Farms spans over 175 acres with fresh produce markets giving way to activity grounds boasting farm-themed attractions. Pick your own fruit straight from their orchards and vineyards or hop aboard tractor rides touring crops, barns and farm critters. Admission includes all-day passes for an unlimited strawberry slide, corn pool, giant jumping pillows plus a petting zoo cuddling everything from camels to kangaroo babies. Seasonal celebrations like harvest and pumpkin patches ensure fresh entertainment all year long at this can’t-miss countryside gem.
Bakersfield Museum of Art
Name and Location:
Bakersfield Museum of Art, located in Central Park, Downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Established in 1956, it’s dedicated to promoting and exhibiting a diverse range of visual arts.
What to Expect:
Rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art, educational programs, and special events.
Visitor Information:
Ticket purchase required. Open from Tuesday to Sunday. Parking available nearby.
As the preeminent arts institution in the city, the Bakersfield Museum of Art displays fine works spanning many eras and styles. Their impressive permanent collection includes pieces by iconic European painters, sculptors and photographers while American galleries feature stunning Hopi pottery plus experimental contemporary works. Budget-friendly admission grants access to half a dozen galleries aver 5,000 sq feet of exhibition space flush with bright, airy halls ideal for appreciating the museum’s ever-growing, $7 million compilation. Don’t miss exciting guest exhibits, regular artist receptions, classes and cultural events embracing visual arts of all kinds.
California Area Living Museum
Name and Location:
California Area Living Museum, northeast of Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Opened in 1983, CALM focuses on the rehabilitation of native California wildlife and education about conservation.
What to Expect:
Native animal exhibits, botanical gardens, and educational programs.
Visitor Information:
Admission fee required. Open daily. Check their website for hours and special events.
Offering family fun with an educational twist, CALM provides the rare opportunity to observe native wild creatures up close within zoo-like exhibits. As Kern County’s go-to wildlife rescue and sanctuary space, CALM places focus firmly on Golden State species spanning brown bears, bald eagles, mountain lions and more roaming detailed natural enclosures. Visitors can safely view the active animals via overhead walkways winding through the rehabilitation facility and park. Daily animal encounters allow kids to feed and pet ambassador critters while regular shows feature falconry demos, porcupine training and spider handling. With scenic lake views throughout, CALM makes a rewarding retreat for nature and animal lovers.
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
Name and Location:
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science, located in downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of local natural history and science.
What to Expect:
Fossil exhibits, geological displays, and interactive science exhibits.
Visitor Information:
Ticket purchase required. Open from Thursday to Sunday. Special events and programs available.
History buffs can’t miss this top museum housing ancient evolutionary treasures and dazzling gems within a converted historic bank building downtown. Downstairs mining tunnel recreate the experience of crawling through Kern County’s first commercial caverns finding glittering rocks and fossils. Expansive fossil halls contain complete mammoth skeletons and fearsome saber tooth cats in realistic poses from Rancho La Brea. Plus, the hands-on Discovery Center lets kids excavate archaeological sites and view bat colonies up close. Through fossils and diamonds, native dwelling dioramas, meteorite impacts and more, the Buena Vista Museum explores natural wonders spanning billions of years.
Rabobank Arena & Convention Center
Name and Location:
Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center, downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
A major venue for concerts, sporting events, and conventions, contributing significantly to Bakersfield’s cultural scene.
What to Expect:
Large-scale events including concerts, sports events, trade shows, and performances.
Visitor Information:
Event ticketing varies. Parking available. Check their website for upcoming events and details.
Hosting major headliners and events year-round, this premier downtown venue offers top-notch entertainment options for Bakersfield visitors. Rabobank Arena attracts huge touring concerts, sports franchises and family spectaculars within a modern, multi-purpose arena configuration. Recent acts range from Andrea Bocelli and Alec Benjamin to professional bull riding and Cirque du Soleil extravaganzas. Attached convention spaces also include the bright, airy Rabobank Theater hosting Broadway musicals direct from NYC plus Symphony performances in elegant red velvet majesty. With stellar acoustics, state-of-the-art amenities and superb Downtown location, Rabobank offers dynamic arts, music and entertainment experiences for all interests.
Bakersfield Speedway
Name and Location:
Bakersfield Speedway, just outside Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Operating since 1946, it’s one of the oldest continuously running auto racing tracks in the country.
What to Expect:
Exciting dirt track racing events, family-friendly atmosphere, and local community involvement.
Visitor Information:
Ticket purchase required for events. Seasonal schedule. Concessions available.
Rev up your heart rate zooming around the race track at this beloved local speedway. Operating since the late 1950’s, the Bakersfield Speedway spans over a quarter mile allowing amateurs and pros to put pedal to the metal for major adrenaline thrills. Friday nights light up with sprint car, modified stock car and other auto racing events packing the covered stadium stands. While Sundays offer the unique opportunity for anyone with a regular vehicle to enter the “six shooters” racing series trying their own luck lapping seasoned drivers. With competitive fun from street stock to motocross, Bakersfield Speedway provides fast action welcome all rev-heads.
The Padre Hotel
Name and Location:
The Padre Hotel, located in downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Opened in 1928, this historic hotel is a landmark of Bakersfield’s urban development and architecture.
What to Expect:
Luxury accommodations, multiple dining options, and a rooftop bar.
Visitor Information:
Room reservations recommended. Dining and entertainment options available to non-guests.
History and luxury combine at this beautifully restored 1930 gem providing unique accommodation, dining and entertainment under one elegant roof. As the finest lodging in Bakersfield, the Padre Hotel transports guests back to the opulent era of railroad travel through antique furnished suites named after Hollywood stars. Dine in old-world ambience under crystal chandeliers at the gourmet Belvedere Restaurant then head downstairs to sample prohibition-style cocktails inside the trendy speakeasywalls of the swanky Grand Bar. No visit is complete without catching stunning city views from their rooftop lounge or taking in one of the regular live music acts echoing through handsome historic halls. Channel Great Gatsby vibes soaking up the PADRE atmosphere rich in glamour and local heritage.
Fox Theater
Name and Location:
Fox Theater, located in downtown Bakersfield.
History and Significance:
Built in 1930, this historic theater is an iconic venue for performing arts and entertainment in Bakersfield.
What to Expect:
A variety of shows and events including concerts, movies, and cultural performances.
Visitor Information:
Event ticket purchase required. Check their website for upcoming events and details.
This visually stunning entertainment palace dazzles the eye as much as iconic acts gracing its vaudeville stage. Built in 1930 towering over 19th Street downtown, Fox Theater’s exterior flickers with neon glowing from colorful tiled domes contrasting elegant ivory terra cotta walls. Inside, the intimate 1,500 seat theater drips in Baroque ornamentation with sunburst chandeliers, gilded balconies and rich blue curtains framing the stage still hosting legendary performances today. After grabbing a cocktail in the classy upstairs lounge, take your velvet seat the Fox’s royalty box to watch anything from stand up comics to ballet companies command the vintage spotlit stage. During intermission, be sure to explore the striking architecture and Hollywood history on display all around.