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Top Attractions & Places To Visit
Kern County | The Energy and Agriculture Powerhouse of California
Kern County, which sits in the southern part of California’s Central Valley, is one of the most dynamic regions in the state. Known for its vast energy resources and agricultural production, Kern County plays a vital role in California’s economy. The region features diverse landscapes ranging from the desert to the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering a wide array of attractions and activities. In addition to its economic contributions, Kern County has a rich cultural history, thriving cities, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Cities in Kern County
Counties of Central Valley
Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in:
Looking for the best summer things to do in Bakersfield, CA? Whether you’re renting an apartment, a house, or buying a home, this guide covers the top summer activities that make Bakersfield a great place to live—or visit—when the weather heats up.
Read the full article here: Summer Things to Do in Bakersfield, California | Redfin
Main Attractions in Kern County
Sequoia National Forest
The Sequoia National Forest stretches into eastern Kern County and holds towering gigantic sequoias, rivers, and mountain peaks. The Trail of 100 Giants allows tourists to wander amid these ancient trees, some of which are more than 1,500 years old. Hiking, camping, and fishing are popular activities. Visitors discover breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and lush forests.
Kern River
The Kern River serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Flowing from the Sierra Nevada into the San Joaquin Valley, it provides excellent chances for whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, and camping. The river’s rocky landscape and quick rapids entice adventurers, especially in Kern River Canyon, a picturesque area popular for hiking and picnicking.
Lake Isabella
Lake Isabella, which sits in the southern Sierra Nevada, is one of Kern County’s most popular recreation locations. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and windsurfing in the lake’s vast waters. The surrounding area provides options for camping, hiking, and off-roading, which makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities all year.
Tehachapi Loop
The Tehachapi Loop is an engineering wonder and one of the most well-known railroad loops in the world. Located in the Tehachapi Mountains, this looped track allows trains to overcome a steep gradient by circling themselves. It is a must-see for rail fans, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
California Living Museum (CALM)
The California Living Museum (CALM), which sits near Bakersfield, is a zoo and botanical garden that focuses on native California animals. CALM shelters animals who cannot survive in the wild and offers educational programs to visitors. It is a family-friendly site where you observe animals such as mountain lions, black bears, and bald eagles up close.
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science, which sits in Bakersfield, houses unique displays on fossils, geology, anthropology, and local history. One of the museum’s features is its collection of fossils from the Sharktooth Hill area, which sheds insights on the ancient marine life that formerly lived there.
The Fox Theater
Bakersfield’s historic Fox Theater, a beautifully renovated 1930s movie palace, has become a premier performance venue. The Fox Theatre, with its spectacular Art Deco design, accommodates concerts, plays, film screenings, and community events. It is a cultural icon in downtown Bakersfield that attracts both locals and visitors.
Tehachapi Wind Farm
Kern County leads in renewable energy, with the Tehachapi Wind Farm ranking as one of the world’s largest wind energy projects. The farm’s large network of wind turbines, which sits in the Tehachapi Pass, symbolizes the county’s commitment to sustainable energy and forms a spectacular visual element of the terrain. Visitors take a tour of the area and learn more about wind energy and its relevance in California’s electricity infrastructure.
Hart Memorial Park
This lovely park, which sits along the Kern River near Bakersfield, offers a serene refuge complete with picnic spaces, fishing ponds, and hiking routes. Hart Memorial Park serves as a popular destination for family vacations and outdoor activities, providing tourists a gorgeous setting for bird viewing, photography, and relaxing.
Antelope Valley Indian Museum State Historic Park
This museum, which sits in the eastern section of Kern County, highlights the history and culture of Native American cultures who resided in the Antelope Valley. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts and displays on the Native peoples of the western Mojave Desert, which makes it an intriguing destination for history and anthropology buffs.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield, the county seat and largest city in Kern County, serves as the region’s major economic and cultural hub. Bakersfield is known for its country music culture; it is the cradle of the “Bakersfield Sound,” a style of country music that Buck Owens and Merle Haggard popularized. The city holds the Bakersfield Museum of Art, the Kern County Museum, and a number of entertainment venues, including the Rabobank Arena. Bakersfield also receives recognition for its thriving agriculture business, particularly its cultivation of grapes, almonds, and citrus fruits.
Tehachapi
Tehachapi, a small settlement in the Tehachapi Mountains, is known for its mild mountain temperature and accessibility to outdoor activities, which makes it a favorite location for those seeking a calm escape. The Tehachapi Loop and neighboring wind farms are well-known attractions in the city. Tehachapi also features a nice downtown district with stores, galleries, and restaurants, which makes it an ideal location for exploring local culture.
Delano
Delano, which sits in northern Kern County, is an agricultural hub notable for table grape production. The city has a long history in the labor movement, particularly its involvement in the United Farm Workers movement that Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta led. Delano celebrates its agricultural history with annual events such as the Harvest Holidays Festival and remains a hub for farm labor advocacy.
Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest, which sits in the Indian Wells Valley, has desert landscapes and military sites such as the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake surrounding it. Ridgecrest serves as a gateway to the Mojave Desert and Death Valley National Park, which makes it a popular location for desert adventure seekers. The city also hosts the Petroglyph Festival, which commemorates Native American rock art discovered in the adjacent Coso Range.
Wasco
Wasco, sometimes known as the “Rose Capital of the World,” is a small city that involves itself heavily in the rose industry. Wasco celebrates its floral legacy every year with the Wasco Rose Festival, a colorful festival that includes parades, rodeos, and flower displays. Enormous fields of roses surround the city, which makes it a visually spectacular visit during the blooming season.
Shafter
Shafter, a fast-growing city that sits northwest of Bakersfield, has significant agricultural roots. It also evolved into a logistics and distribution hub due to its proximity to major highways and railroads. The city offers a wonderful downtown district filled with historic buildings, local businesses, and restaurants. Shafter also houses the Minter Field Air Museum, which maintains the history of the World War II-era Minter Army Airfield.
Taft
Taft, which sits in the western portion of Kern County, has long associated itself with California’s oil industry. The city lies near the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, one of the largest in the United States. Visitors learn about the region’s oil production history at the West Kern Oil Museum, which displays industry-related equipment, artifacts, and exhibitions. Taft also commemorates its oil heritage with annual events such as the Oildorado Festival.
