Bakersfield

The Central Valley city of Bakersfield, about two hours north of Los Angeles along Highway 99, is full of pleasant surprises. Once known only for oil and agriculture, Bakersfield—or Bako, as the locals affectionately call it—has become a hub for arts and culture while still retaining the richness of the region’s past. 

Bakersfield’s Unique History

Long before it became known for its Basque restaurants and oil fields, Bakersfield grew from a mid-19th-century settlement along the Kern River into a key agricultural and transportation hub in California’s southern San Joaquin Valley. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s spurred development, while fertile soils supported booming industries in citrus, grapes, and cotton. 

By the late 1800s, immigrants from the Spanish and French Pyrenees arrived to herd sheep and plant orchards, establishing a strong Basque presence. That heritage is still celebrated in what is now the country’s largest concentration of Basque restaurants. In the 20th century, Bakersfield expanded rapidly with the growth of nearby oil fields and agriculture, while also developing a distinctive cultural identity through music—most famously through the “Bakersfield Sound,” a raw, electrified strain of country music popularized by Central Valley artists such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. 

Top Tourist Spots in Bakersfield

Fast-forward to Bakersfield’s citified attractions, including downtown’s gallery-filled Arts District, home to the 1930 Fox Theater, where performances range from pop music to film noir. 

While Buck Owens’ music-filled Crystal Palace closed in 2025, you can still hear the Bakersfield Sound and country music in general around Bakersfield. Check out the live acts at downtown bars and venues such as Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, Rooster’s Honky Tonk, and The Stockyard Whiskey Bar.

Find out more about hardscrabble musical pioneers like Owens and Merle Haggard with a visit to the Kern County Museum, a collection of 56 historic buildings spread out among grassy lawns. You’ll also get a lesson in California’s oil industry: Kern County’s wells pump 70 percent of the state’s “black gold.” Afterward, shop for vintage finds at Bakersfield’s Antique Row.

Or check the calendar at Dignity Health Arena, which hosts touring acts and the AHL hockey team the Bakersfield Condors.

Outdoor Fun in Bakersfield

There are plenty of ways to play outdoors in Bakersfield, too. Bike or walk along the Kern River Parkway Trail or book a river rafting trip along the Kern River. Wildflowers blanket the local grasslands and nearby Tehachapi Range in spring. See them in March and April at the 93,000-acre Wind Wolves Preserve, the West Coast’s largest nonprofit nature preserve. At any time of year, these vast grasslands are a haven for wildlife and an inspiring place to take a hike or pedal your mountain bike.

Where to Eat and Drink in Bakersfield

If you want to enjoy Bakersfield’s Basque cuisine, head to classic spots such as Wool Growers Restaurant—which still serves its traditional “setups” family-style—or Pyrenees Café, which dates back to 1901 and was once upon a time also a brothel and speakeasy. You’ll find a rich assortment of other culinary styles around town, too, from excellent taquerias to old-school Italian (locals love Luigi’s, which has been around since 1910).

You’ll also encounter many new restaurants that take advantage of the surrounding farm and ranch land, like The 18Hundred and Locale Farm to Table Eatery. Or sip your way along the Bakersfield Kern County Brewery Trail and the Bakersfield Kern County Wine Trail.

Where to Stay in Bakersfield

A large concentration of Bakersfield hotels are found on the north side of the city, not far from Highway 99. The boutique-style Hourglass Hotel, for instance, has a pool with cabanas, plus a free breakfast. Or choose from a wide range of affordable brand name stays, including a Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn, and Best Western.

To stay closer to the action downtown, consider staying at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center or at the Padre Hotel: The eight-story hotel first opened in 1928 and these days has a fun cowboy theme and a swanky rooftop lounge. 

More: Highway 99 Road Trip

More Things to Do Near Bakersfield

Bakersfield makes a convenient launching pad for nearby outdoor marvels such as the Tehachapi Loop (less than an hour away) and the Carrizo Plain National Monument (less than two hours away). It’s also about two hours from Bakersfield to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. 

Drive about 120 miles east, and you can step into the spirit of the Wild Wild West in Randsburg, a living ghost town along U.S. Route 395. Explore old mines, wander wooden boardwalks, and visit the iconic Owl Cafe, where mining artifacts, prospecting supplies, and desert hospitality bring the distant past to life.