If you’re driving down Highway 99 and see the sprawling oil derricks and dusty almond orchards, you might think Bakersfield is just a place to gas up. Honestly, that’s what I thought for years. I figured it was just "Bako," a hot, dry spot in the Central Valley where the air smells like agriculture and industry.
I was wrong.
Bakersfield is weird in the best way possible. It’s got this gritty, authentic soul that you won't find in the polished coastal cities. It’s the kind of place where you can eat a five-course Basque meal with total strangers and then go see a 1930s neon sign that actually works. If you're looking for the typical California "influencer" spots, you're in the wrong place. But if you want real history, world-class music roots, and some of the best food in the state, there are plenty of things to do in Bakersfield that will genuinely surprise you.
The Music Scene Isn't What You Think
Most people know Nashville is the home of country music. But Bakersfield? It was "Nashville West." In the 1950s and 60s, guys like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard got sick of the overly polished, orchestral sound coming out of Tennessee. They wanted something louder. They wanted electric guitars and a beat you could dance to in a dive bar.
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
You can’t talk about this city without mentioning the Crystal Palace. It’s a 550-seat venue that is part museum, part restaurant, and part honky-tonk. Even if you aren't a massive country fan, the memorabilia alone is worth the trip. Look for Buck’s 1972 Pontiac convertible—it has steer horns and revolvers mounted on the hood. It’s ridiculous. It’s perfect.
Keep in mind that while the venue has seen some management shifts and rumors of closure in late 2025, the legacy of the Bakersfield Sound is still very much alive in the local dive bars and the Kern County Museum.
The Kern County Museum
Don't let the name fool you. It sounds like a boring school field trip, but it’s actually a 16-acre "Pioneer Village." They’ve moved over 50 historic buildings here from across the county. You can walk through a one-room schoolhouse, an old jail, and a general store.
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But the real highlight for music nerds? Merle Haggard’s childhood home. It’s a literal boxcar that his father converted into a living space. Seeing how one of the biggest legends in music grew up—literally in a train car—gives you a whole new perspective on his lyrics.
Where to Eat (The Basque Connection)
Bakersfield has the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States.
Back in the late 1800s, immigrants from the Pyrenees Mountains (between France and Spain) came here to herd sheep. They stayed in boarding houses, and those boarding houses eventually turned into restaurants.
The dining experience is... intense. You don’t just order a burger.
- The Setup: At places like Wool Growers or Pyrenees Café, you get "the setup" before your main course even arrives. This usually includes sourdough bread, a massive bowl of vegetable soup, beans (which you're supposed to mix into the soup), salad, and pickled tongue.
- Family Style: You often sit at long trestle tables next to people you’ve never met. It’s communal. You pass the red sauce and the carafe of house wine.
- The Main Event: If you’re at Wool Growers, get the fried chicken or the oxtail stew. It’s heavy, garlic-rich, and feels like a hug from a grandmother you didn't know you had.
If you want something a bit more refined but still Basque-rooted, Benji’s French Basque Restaurant is the spot. They do a soufflé that takes about 40 minutes to prep, so order it as soon as you sit down.
Getting Outside: The Kern River and Beyond
When the valley heat hits 100 degrees, everyone heads to the water.
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The Kern River flows right through the area, and it’s one of the steepest, wildest whitewater rivers in the country. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, there are Class IV and V rapids up in the canyon that will absolutely soak you. For something a little more chill, the Kern River Parkway Trail has over 30 miles of paved paths for biking or walking.
California Living Museum (CALM)
This isn't a museum in the "don't touch the paintings" sense. It’s a zoo, but specifically for animals native to California that can’t be released back into the wild.
It’s small—about 14 acres—but it’s one of the few places you can see a California Condor up close. They also have black bears, mountain lions, and a very active reptile house. If you're there in December, they do a massive "HolidayLights" event with millions of LED displays that is basically a local rite of passage.
Wind Wolves Preserve
About 45 minutes south of town is the Wind Wolves Preserve. It’s the largest non-profit nature preserve on the West Coast, spanning 93,000 acres. In the spring (March and April), the hills turn a shade of green that doesn't look real, covered in wildflowers. It’s a great spot to see Tule elk or just hike the San Emigdio Canyon.
The Downtown Renaissance
Downtown Bakersfield is finally finding its groove. For a long time, it felt a bit neglected, but the Arts District is changing that.
The Fox Theater, built in 1930, is a stunning example of Art Deco design. It still hosts everything from classic film screenings to touring comedians. Right down the street is the Padre Hotel. It was renovated a few years back into a "cowboy-chic" boutique hotel. Even if you aren't staying there, go to the rooftop bar (Brimstone) for a drink. The view of the city neon at night is the best you’ll get.
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For shopping, the Antique District is legit. There are about eight massive stores within a few blocks of the Amtrak station. You can find everything from mid-century furniture to old oil field equipment that someone turned into a lamp.
Things to Keep in Mind
Bakersfield isn't perfect.
It gets hot. Like, "don't touch your steering wheel or you'll get second-degree burns" hot. If you visit in July or August, plan all your outdoor activities for before 10:00 AM.
The air quality can also be a struggle because of the geography of the valley. If you have bad asthma, check the AQI before you plan a long hike.
But despite the heat and the dust, there’s a reason people are moving here. It’s one of the last places in California where you can actually afford to live, and that influx of new residents is bringing in better coffee shops (check out Dagny’s Coffee) and craft breweries like Temblor Brewing Company.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning a trip, here is how to do it right:
- Book a Basque Dinner: Call Wool Growers and ask when their next seating is. Don't eat lunch that day. You won't have room.
- Check the Fox Theater Schedule: See if there's a show while you're in town. The acoustics in that old building are incredible.
- Visit the Museum Early: Go to the Kern County Museum right when they open to beat the heat, and make sure to find the Neon Plaza.
- Drive the Canyon: Take Highway 178 east out of town into the Kern River Canyon. The views of the granite walls are some of the best-kept secrets in the state.
Bakersfield doesn't try to be something it’s not. It’s a town built on hard work, oil, and twangy guitars. It’s unpretentious, surprisingly delicious, and deeper than it looks from the freeway.