Attractions and Places To See around Bakersfield - Top 9

Bakersfield offers a variety of natural attractions. You can visit The Park at River Walk, a 32-acre public park with two ponds and trails. Another option is Hart Memorial Park, a large park spanning over 370 acres, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. For expansive natural landscapes and wildlife, consider Wind Wolves Preserve, known for its diverse terrain and Tule elk, or the Sand Ridge Preserve, famous for its wildflower displays and endangered Bakersfield cacti.

Yes, there are several hiking opportunities. You can explore the Hart Park Trail, which offers views over the lake and surrounding landscape. The Kern River Parkway Trail provides scenic walks along the Kern River. For more extensive hiking, the Wind Wolves Preserve offers diverse trails, and the Sequoia National Forest, located just outside Bakersfield, provides opportunities for exploring giant sequoia trees. You can find more hiking routes in the Hiking around Bakersfield guide.

For scenic walks and bike rides, the Kern River Parkway Trail is an excellent choice, winding through Bakersfield with views of the Kern River. The Park at River Walk also features walking and biking trails around its lakes. Additionally, Panorama Park offers well-maintained walking trails with spectacular views. For cycling, explore routes in the Cycling around Bakersfield guide.

Bakersfield has several notable historical landmarks. You can visit Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, a tribute to country music history, or the beautifully restored Fox Theater, an Art Deco movie palace. Other architectural landmarks include The Padre Hotel (Spanish Colonial Revival), the Hayden Building (Second Renaissance Revival), and the Standard Oil Building (Jastro Building). The Kern County Museum also features over 50 historic structures in its Pioneer Village.

Yes, Bakersfield offers several cultural sites. The Kern County Museum spans 16 acres with exhibits on the 'Bakersfield Sound' and the region's oil industry. The California Living Museum (CALM) focuses on native Californian flora and fauna. For natural history, the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science showcases Miocene-era fossils and exhibits on geology and paleontology. The Bakersfield Museum of Art highlights California artists.

Absolutely. The Park at River Walk is ideal for families, offering picnic areas, BBQs, and a playground. The California Living Museum (CALM) is a zoo and education center perfect for children to learn about native wildlife. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science includes an interactive 'Oh! Zone' for kids, and Murray Family Farms offers a fun experience where visitors can pick their own produce.

Wind Wolves Preserve is an excellent spot for wildlife viewing, home to nearly 200 Tule elk and diverse landscapes. The California Living Museum (CALM) houses over 80 species of native Californian animals, many undergoing rehabilitation. Panorama Vista Preserve, near The Bluffs, is also used as a wildlife rehabilitation area and offers opportunities to see local fauna.

Yes, Bakersfield offers several scenic viewpoints. The Bluffs (Panorama Park) provides iconic views overlooking Bakersfield's oil fields and is a great spot for sunsets. Round Mountain Oilfield also offers wonderful views across the valley as the road winds through the area. Panorama Park itself provides spectacular views of the city, mountains, and oilfields.

Lake Ming, a scenic 104-acre reservoir about 15 minutes from the city center, is popular for water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, motorboating, and fishing. The surrounding Kern River County Park also provides access to the Kern River, which is suitable for various water-based recreation.

Visitors particularly enjoy the diverse range of experiences, from the family-friendly amenities and trails at The Park at River Walk to the scenic views and opportunities for elevation gain on the Hart Park Trail. The unique perspective of the landscape, including the oilfields contrasting with natural preserves, is also frequently appreciated at viewpoints like The Bluffs.

While specific accessibility details for all trails are not always available, many urban parks in Bakersfield, such as The Park at River Walk and Panorama Park, are generally well-maintained with wide, flat paths suitable for wheelchairs. These parks often feature paved trails, benches, and accessible facilities, making them good options for visitors with mobility needs.

Yes, several outdoor areas in Bakersfield are dog-friendly. The Bluffs and Panorama Park are known to be dog-friendly, offering walking paths for you and your pet. Many of the city's public parks and trails, including sections of the Kern River Parkway Trail, also welcome dogs, typically requiring them to be on a leash.