Bakersfield

1. Visit the galleries at the Bakersfield Museum of Art

Located in Central Park at the corner of R Street and 19th Street, the Bakersfield Museum of Art is a fine arts museum that is made up of four galleries. The museum’s permanent collection mainly consists of works by local artists, and this collection is supplemented by rotating art exhibits. Founded in 1956, the museum was mostly funded by the Walter Osborn family in memory of their daughter, Marion Osborn Cunningham.

The museum was originally called the Cunningham Art Gallery and was changed to its current name in 1990. The 17,400 square foot museum consists of two large galleries and two small galleries, classrooms, a banquet hall, and gardens which display sculptures. The Bakersfield Museum of Art is one of the top Bakersfield attractions.

Address: 1930 R Street, Bakersfield, CA, Phone: 661-323-7219

2. Listen to country music at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace

Buck Owens was a country music singer and songwriter. With his band Buckaroos he had 21 No. 1 hits on the country music Billboard charts. He completed his Crystal Palace as a music hall in 1996. Today, it is still a venue for country and Western music, a museum to Buck Owens, and a popular steak restaurant. Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace is one of the best things to do in Bakersfield, California.

The museum has Buck’s guitars, fancy suits, memorabilia and everyday objects. The restaurant is known for its great brunches and has special menu for concert days; they serve American favorites and comfort food. More info

Address: 2800 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, CA, Phone: 661-328-7560, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace Video

3. Step back in time at the Kern County Museum

The Kern County Museum celebrates Kern County' culture and rich history in innovative, fun and entertaining ways, using a range of exhibits, special events and educational programs for children and adults.

The museum was founded in 1941, but the collecting pieces of California history started in 1928. The museum holds thousands of historically and culturally significant artifacts displayed on 16 meticulously landscaped acres, in 56 historic original buildings. Special treasures of the museum are one room school, jail, oil derrick, the general store and seven preserved historic homes.

The museum holds several Native American exhibits, the railroad exhibit and Bakersfield Sound, agriculture, mining and railroad exhibits. This is a great place to learn about Bakersfield and California’s rich heritage through every day’s objects, photos, buildings and documents.

Address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA, Phone: 661-437-3330

4. Take the kids to the California Area Living Museum

The California Area Living Museum (CALM) is California's Native Zoo and Garden which opened in 1983. This large park lies on 14 acres of land and its natural habitats provide home to more than 80 species of animals. CALM holds only animals that cannot be released or rehabilitated, those which have been injured or who are not able to survive in the wild. If you are wondering what to do in Bakersfield with kids, this is a great place to visit.

The most popular zoo natural exhibits are: black bear open air exhibit, exhibit of birds of prey that includes owls, hawks and eagles; a mammal house with bobcats and foxes; a pond with mallards; deer yard; a reptile house; and an area with domestic animals that can be petted. The CALM also has several endangered native species.

Address: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-872-2256

5. Visit the petting zoo at Murray Family Farms

Murray Family Farms are a delightful mix fun and a true family working farm. Bring the kids for a lot of fun, but also to see all the hard work involved in bringing delicious fruits and veggies to their local groceries. This 70-acre organic vegetable and fruit farm has been growing strawberries, stone fruit, blackberries, citrus, apples, asparagus, artichokes, melons, tomatoes and pumpkins for the last 24 years. Bring the kids on the tour of the farm on their tractor-driven hay wagons across 43 acres of cultivated fields of citrus, yellow roses, lines of ripe peaches, apricots and apples.

Let the kids pick the fruits, and then head to the butterfly house, cattle train, wagon rides and mazes.

The kids can get close and personal with the petting zoo animals: tame goats, ducks, sheep, chicken, geese, pigeons, peacocks, turkeys and miniature horses.

Before leaving, visit their lovely Red Barn to load on produce, preserves, fresh pies and smoothies. Their Okie Fry Pies are legendary. Murray Family Farms is 2 hours from Los Angeles.

Address: Big Red Barn, 6700 General Beale Road, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-330-0100

6. Watch a show at the Mechanics Bank Arena

The Mechanics Bank Arena is a performing arts venue and convention center located on Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. Originally built in 1962, it was formerly known as the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium and the Bakersfield Convention Center and was one of the first structures to be built in the modern style in Bakersfield.

In 1980 the Convention Center was completed, and in 1993 the adjacent hotel was finished. Later, in 1998, the center was further expanded to include a 10,000 seat sports arena. The center hosts a large variety of events such as “Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream,” the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, “A Taste of Home,” and many more.

Address: 1001 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-852-7300

7. See fossils at the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History

The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History is located on Chester Avenue in the downtown Arts District of Bakersfield. Founded in 1995, the museum’s collection at first centered around the fossil collection of Bob and Mary Ernst.

These fossils came from Shark Tooth Hill and this is the largest collection of fossils from this area. This group of fossils was originally housed at the California Living Museum, but as the collection grew, it was necessary to move to the current location. In addition to the fossils, the museum’s collection also includes a replica of a triceratops skull, a model of Yosemite Valley with many buildings, roads, and trails, and much more. The museum offers several tours.

Address: 2018 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-324-6350

8. Visit Kern County Raceway Park

Kern County Raceway Park is a 0.5 mile (0.80 km) oval race car track that opened in 2013 as a replacement for the Mesa Marin Raceway. The capacity of the stadium is 5,000 seats, and there are 21 VIP suites in the grandstand for fans to view the races.

There are also 18 concession stands in the park. The capacity of the stadium can be expanded to 17,000 seats for special events. The park holds events such as NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series as well as the K&N Pro Series West and car shows.

Address: 13500 Raceway Boulevard Interstate 5 and Enos Lane, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-835-1264R

9. See a show at The Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall

The Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall is a family-friendly theater located on Jomani Drive in Bakersfield. The theater features old-time melodramas with sweethearts, heroes, and villains. Many of the performances are spoofs of things such as fantasy, sports, mystery, the Wild West and much more. After each show the company presents a Vaudeville Review that is filled with funny jokes, comedic sketches, and dance and musical numbers.

The Moosehead Lounge features snacks, light meals, soft drinks, and beer and wine. The theater offers an eight week educational program where children are taught dancing, drama, improvisation, singing, and how to apply theatrical makeup. There are also puppet shows and magic shows.

Address: 12748 Jomani Drive, Bakersfield, California, Phone: 661-587-3377

10. See the lakes along the Kern River Parkway Trail

The Kern River Parkway is a nature preserve that runs along the Kern River from the mouth of the Kern Canyon as far as Interstate 5. Created in 1976, it is the largest municipal park in Kern County and consists of 6,000 acres.

There are several trails through the park. The trail to the north is a horseback riding trail; the trail to the south is a jogging or walking trail, but it can also be used by visitors with non-motorized forms of transportation. There is also a bike path called the Kern River Parkway Trail. There are several lakes found in the parkway, and some of the areas within the parkway have been developed into more formal parks.