Travel reviews
What to do
- Noteworthy
- Worth the detour
- Must see
This stopover city is the 9th largest city in California, with a population of more than 403,500. About 90% of the state's Basque community lives there, which has had some influence on the restaurant industry.
Its economy is based on agriculture, as well as oil and petroleum refining. In fact, Bakersfield is the capital of Kern County, one of the most prolific oil-producing counties in the US.
In the low tourist season, it becomes an alternative for travellers who can't get through Yosemite National Park on the Tioga Road, due to its annual closure from November to late May/early June.
Fox Theatre
This historical theatre opened its door on Christmas 1930, and even withstood the 1952 earthquake. The following year, the entire interior was redecorated in the Art Modern Style, following Charles Skouras directions, then head of the Fox Theatre West. The theatre is known for its fine acoustic, and still offers entertainment of all sorts.
California Living Museum (CALM)
This place is exactly as the name suggests: a living museum. Californian’s native fauna and flora are on display in this Bakersfield Zoo. The animals are part of a rehabilitation program, in the hope of releasing them into the wild. For those which can’t be reintroduced to their natural habitat, they remain in the care of the devoted employees and volunteers of the park. You can even adopt a little furry friend if you want to participate in their well-being!
Kern River Parkway Trail
A pleasant way of discovering the various attractions in town. Just follow the Kern River and you’ll find on your path the Bakersfield College, Kern River Oil Field, California Living Museum, disc golf courses, and you can even go white water rafting! It is easily accessible via the many free parking lots along the path.
Where to eat
- $ Inexpensive
- $$ Moderate
- $$$ Upscale
- $$$$ Fine dining
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace ($$)
Bakersfield is in part known for its Country music scene and is said to be by some the ‘’Nashville of the West’’. It comes to no surprise then that Buck Owens, Country music signer, decided to open his very own music hall in 1996 right in this town. It has since become a landmark in the area. Be ready for live Country music performances and some good old ‘’Baby Back Ribs’’. The place to be for the full American experience!
24TH STREET CAFE ($-$$)
If you ask the locals where you should go for breakfast or lunch, they are sure to recommend the 24th Street Cafe, which opened its doors in 1987. It has even been voted the "best restaurant in Bakersfield" on more than one occasion. Don't expect too much, but the prices are affordable, the portions are generous, and the quality and taste are good. The menu features typical American fare such as burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads.
WOOL GROWERS ($-$$)
Wool Growers is one of Bakersfield's many Basque restaurants, and certainly one of the most popular. It was established in 1954 by Mayie Maitia, a native of Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry, France, who still runs the restaurant along with her daughter Jenny and granddaughter Christiane. The menu offers American-influenced cuisine from the south of France and northern Spain.
Where to sleep ?
Location
When to visit
- Very Favourable
- Favourable
- Unfavourable
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Climograph
- Very Favourable
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| Month | Average temperature min (°C) |
Average temperature max (°C) |
Precipitations (mm) |
Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 | 15 | 36 | |
| February | 5 | 19 | 37 | |
| March | 7 | 22 | 47 | |
| April | 9 | 25 | 20 | |
| May | 13 | 30 | 13 | |
| June | 17 | 34 | 6 | |
| July | 21 | 37 | 1 | |
| August | 20 | 37 | 15 | |
| September | 17 | 34 | 9 | |
| October | 12 | 28 | 12 | |
| November | 7 | 21 | 19 | |
| December | 4 | 16 | 27 |
Travel reviews
(Translated by Google) A stopover town without much interest. But perfect for breaking the journey between Death Valley and Sequoia.
(Translated by Google) Dormitory town offers nothing special to offer except its location which allows you to stop before continuing your journey.
We went to eat at Wool Growers (suggested by Authentik without whom we would never have imagined stopping there :)
The restaurant is much more welcoming than the neighborhood might suggest and the meal was very nice with an impressive number of plates served at the same time!
