There’s more to do in this California Central Valley town than you might think. Bakersfield is also an economical place to visit. In fact, the best-rated hotel in town costs less than $200 a night, and you can find plenty of well-rated lodgings for $100 or less.

Bakersfield’s climate is generally pleasant, with only 20 days of rain per year and more than 270 sunny days. High temperatures in January average 38°F. March, April, May, October, and November are the best times to go.

Unfortunately, because Bakersfield’s geography creates a bowl that traps air pollution, it’s better to avoid it during the hot summer months.

Enjoy Country Music and the Bakersfield Sound

There are a number of venues to enjoy great music in Bakersfield.

Crystal Palace

Legendary country and western singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard are credited with creating the Bakersfield Sound, a reaction to the slickly-produced style of country music which was becoming popular in the late 1950s.

Owens built his Crystal Palace music hall in Bakersfield as a high-class alternative to the smoke-filled bars and honky-tonks he performed in for much of his career. Its interior resembles the 19th century in the American Old West. Today, the complex also includes a museum of Owens’ memorabilia.

Rockwell Opry at Trout’s

Today, Trout’s serves as an authentic holdover from the heyday of the Bakersfield Sound, hosting up-and-coming country music artists six nights a week.

Fox Theater

This classic theater, dating back to 1930, is as gorgeous inside as it is outside. Rescued from near demolition in the 1990s, it presents a broad range of performers and events.

Rabobank Arena

The Rabobank Arena is Bakersfield’s modern event venue, where performers like Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Elton John, and Alice Cooper have graced the stage.

Sample Basque Food

Bakersfield is well known for its Basque restaurants and cuisine. The local Basque community goes back to immigrant sheepherders who arrived in the area during the 1800s. Several restaurants in Bakersfield specialize in this hearty cuisine and serve large meals on Sundays.

American Basque food is typically served family-style on enormous platters at communal tables. Common menu items include cabbage soup with beans, spicy Basque tomato sauce, pickled tongue, cottage cheese, boiled vegetables with white sauce, and a fresh salad made with locally grown lettuce. The meat dish often includes options like oxtail soup, fried chicken, or some lamb dish, paired with free-flowing red wine.

Additionally, the Basque Festival in May offers a delightful opportunity to enjoy Basque cuisine and culture.

Go Whitewater Rafting

The Kern River near Bakersfield offers whitewater experiences ranging from easy Class I to adrenaline-pumping Class V, depending on the year’s rainfall and your chosen route. The best whitewater is found near Lake Isabella, approximately a 50-mile drive northeast from Bakersfield.

The rafting season begins around March or April when the snow on Mt. Whitney starts to melt, potentially lasting into September during favorable conditions. The 21-mile stretch of the Kern River below the Lake Isabella dam is known for its exceptional whitewater.

Local outfitters offer a variety of trips, lasting one to three days. Be advised that reservations are essential, especially for larger groups, holidays, and weekends. Popular outfitters include Kern River Tours, River’s End Rafting, and Kern Tours.

Watch a Car Race – Or Drive a Race Car

If you are a fan of car races, you will find plenty of opportunities in the Bakersfield area.

The Kern Raceway, a 0.5-mile oval speedway located just off Interstate 5 in Bakersfield, is a prime location for racing.

Moreover, Great American Days allows you to experience driving a 400-horsepower late model stock car at the Kern Raceway, providing an authentic NASCAR experience.

If you prefer shorter races, the Auto Club Famoso Raceway offers thrilling drag racing events, including nostalgic hot rods and dragster events, along with the annual California Hot Rod Reunion in October.

Revisit the Dust Bowl at Sunset Camp

If John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath” resonates with you, familiar sights await. Scenes from the film adaptation, starring Henry Fonda, were filmed in the area.

Initially established in the late 1930s as the Arvin Federal Government Camp, it housed approximately 300 distressed migrant workers fleeing the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during the Great Depression.

Today, known as Sunset Camp or Weedpatch Camp, it still provides assistance to migrants and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located at 8701 Sunset Blvd, the old buildings can be viewed externally, with photo opportunities available, along with tours by reservation.

Watch Wildlife

The Kern National Wildlife Refuge, located just north of Bakersfield, offers a 6-mile driving tour. Visitors can pick up a brochure that details sights at each of the eleven stops.

The refuge is well-known for its pristine grasslands and marshes, housing endangered species like the Buena Vista Lake shrew, San Joaquin kit fox, and blunt-nosed leopard lizard.

Furthermore, the Tule Elk State National Reserve, about 30 miles west of Bakersfield, is home to a small herd of tule elk, which are most active from late summer to early autumn.

Take Some Instagram Photos for Your Inner Sign Geek

If your Instagram feed is full of #signgeek, #vintagesigns, and #vintageneon, Bakersfield is the place to unleash your creativity.

You can discover vintage neon graphics at notable locations like the Woolgrowers Restaurant (620 E 19th St), Andre’s Drive Inn (1419 Brundage Lane), and a quirky neon cat at Guthrie’s Alley Cat (1525 Wall Street). Don’t miss the iconic Bakersfield sign on Silect Ave near the Crystal Palace.

Agriculture Near Bakersfield

The New York Times has famously dubbed California’s Central Valley as “the land of a billion vegetables.” Additionally, Kern County is renowned for a diverse array of crops, including almonds, melons, citrus, cotton, grapes, hay, and stone fruits like nectarines, plums, and apricots. Rose plants are also cultivated in the region.

Although there are no dedicated tours or visitor centers focused on local agriculture, it’s impossible to miss the stunning countryside as you drive through. This drive might just whet your appetite for one of those Basque restaurants or even lead you to that delightful ice cream parlor.