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The Bakersfield area is diverse and has something for everyone. For the adventurous, try a thrilling white water rafting trip down the Kern River or soar high above the San Joaquin Valley in a hot air balloon. For relaxation, take a trip back in time at the Kern County Museum and recapture a bit of local history. If golfing, biking or hiking is your passion, there are a wide range of facilities, trails and much more in and around the city and in close proximity. The following is a short list of just a few of Bakersfield’s recreational and cultural offerings.
Unless noted otherwise, area code is 661.

MUSEUMS

The Crystal Palace
2800 Buck Owens Boulevard 93308
328-7560
Buck Owens’ Country and Western Museum,
restaurant and performing arts center.

Kern County Museum
3801 Chester Avenue 93301
852-5000
Experience Kern County’s past in this restored Victorian Village. You will see buildings such as an 1899 general store, a one-room schoolhouse and a grand Queen Anne Victorian home. A multi-million dollar interactive exhibit - Black Gold: The Oil Experience - pays tribute to Kern’s oil history.

Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center
3801 Chester Avenue 93301
852-5000 or 861-2132
Newly remodeled facility offers exhibits and classes year-round for “hands-on”
teaching. Displays include art, history, humanities and science, encouraging creative thought.

Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 R Street 93301
323-7219
Municipal art museum with permanent collections of local and California artists, rotating exhibits,
classes, seminars and school tours.

California Living Museum (CALM)
10500 Alfred Harrell Highway 93306
872-2256
Fascinating exhibits showcasing California plant and animal life.

Minter Field Air Museum
401 Vultee, Shafter 93463
393-0291
Local military aviation history lives at the Minter Field Airport where the annual Warbirds in Action air show is held.

MAJOR EVENT AND PERFORMING ARTS FACILITIES

Rabobank Arena Theater & Convention Center
1001 Truxtun Avenue 93301
852-7300 or 852-7308
With seating capacity up to 10,000, the center hosts a
variety of events throughout the year, plays host to the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, a variety of sports teams and an ever-growing roster of big-name entertainers.

Kern County Fairgrounds
1142 South P Street 93307
833-4900
Home of the Great Kern County Fair, which is held annually starting in September. Host of many
annual events, including car shows, gem & mineral shows, equestrian events, rodeos and much more.

Historic Fox Theater
2001 H Street 93301
636-0918
Historical theater in downtown Bakersfield hosts nationally-acclaimed performers and productions.

Bakersfield College Indoor & Outdoor Theatres, Memorial Stadium
1801 Panorama Drive 93305
395-4326
Seating capacity of 19,044. Home of the Bakersfield Renegades.

Harvey Memorial Auditorium
at Bakersfield High School
1316 G Street 93301
324-9848

Dore Theater
at California State Univrsity, Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Highway 93311
654-3093

PERFORMING ARTS

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra
1328 34th Street Suite A 93301
323-7928

Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
2800 Buck Owens’ Boulevard 93308
328-7560

Spotlight Theatre and Cafe
1622 19th Street 93301
634-0692

Bakersfield Jazz Festival
654-3093 
An annual spring event that takes place at California State University Bakersfield, featuring local jazz artists as well as renowned jazz performers from around the nation.

Shakespeare Festival
395-4326
The Bard’s offerings, presented annually since 1984.

SHOPPING AND MORE

East Hills Mall
3000 Mall View Road-Oswell and Freeway 178
872-2000 or 872-7990
Over 50 stores, including anchors Harris/Gottschalks, Mervyns, and a 10-screen United Artists Movie Theatre.

Valley Plaza
Ming Avenue and Freeway 99
832-2436
Over 160 shops, including anchors Macy’s, Harris/Gottschalks, JC Penney and Sears, plus a 16-screen Pacific Theatre Complex.

The Marketplace Shopping & Entertainment Center
9000 Ming Avenue 93311
664-5000 or 664-6543
Premiere shopping and entertainment center, home to Edwards multiplex theatre and offering many exclusive shops and restaurants plus a free summer concert series at the fountain.

Stockdale Fashion Plaza
4713 Stockdale Highway 93309
832-3124
Offers a variety of specialty shops and hosts an annual sidewalk art sale.

ANTIQUE SHOPPING

Several antique shows are held throughout the year at various locations throughout the city. The
Antique District is on H Street between Brundage Lane and California Avenue and in the heart of downtown Bakersfield.

WATER SPORTS

Bakersfield attracts thousands of visitors each years because of the great climate for water
recreation, including white water rafting, water skiing, jet skiing, wind surfing and sailing.

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area
1361 Iron Bark
861-2063 or 763-1526
Camping reservations: 868-7050
Waterskiing, sailing, jet skiing, fishing, swimming and picnicking. Lake is
approximately 20 miles southwest of Bakersfield.

Lake Ming
Lake Ming Road
868-7000
Camping reservations: 868-7050
Boating, water skiing, sailing, wind surfing plus picnic and playground areas.
The national boat drag races attract thousands of visitors.
 
White Water Rafting
Dare to take the adventure and experience the Kern River as never before.
Kern River Tours
800-844-7238

Mountain and River Adventures
760-376-6553

BIKING

Kern River Parkway Bike path is located along the Kern River, running from Lake Ming in the northeast to Enos Lane in the southwest. Miles of scenic bike path for bicyclers, joggers and roller bladers.

SOCCER

Kern County Soccer Park
9400 Alfred Harrell Highway (east of Hart Park)
872-3855 or 327-0912

GOLF

Public Courses:

Buena Vista
10256 Golf Course Rd. Taft, CA 93268 (20 min. west of Bakersfield)
398-9720

Kern River
Rudal Road & Lake Ming Drive (Next to Lake Ming, 10 min. east of downtown)
872-5128

North Kern
17412 Quality Road (15 min. north of Bakersfield)
399-0347

The Links at Riverlakes Ranch
5201 Riverlakes Drive 93312
587-5465

Private Courses:

Bakersfield Country Club
4200 Country Club Drive 93306
871-4000

Rio Bravo Country Club
15200 Casa Club Drive 93306
871-465

Seven Oaks Country Club
2000 Grand Lakes Avenue 93311
664-6404 or 664-6420

Stockdale Country Club
7001 Stockdale Highway 93309
832-0310

TENNIS

Bakersfield Racquet Club
1660 Pine Street 93301
325-8652

Laurel Glen Tennis Club
6901 Ming Avenue 93309
833-3740

Bakersfield Country Club
4200 Country Club Drive 93306
871-4000

RACING

Auto Club Famoso Raceway
33559 Famoso Road, McFarland 93250
399-2210
Quarter-mile drag strip featuring the Good Guys Nostalgia March Meet, NHRA FM series in April and the NHRA CHRR IX in October.

Willow Springs International Raceway
3500 37th Street West, Rosamond 93560
256-2471
Five circuits available with car, motorcycle, kart driving and racing school.

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
24551 Lerdo Highway, Buttonwillow 93206
764-5333 Three mile road racing track with more than 30 race and test configurations for Indy and sports car, motorcycle and go-kart racing enthusiasts.

BOWLING

Westchester Bowl
1819 30th Street 93301
324-4966

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

Bakersfield Blaze (Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers)
Sam Lynn Baseball Park
4009 Chester Avenue
716-4487

Bakersfield Condors Professional Ice Hockey
324-7825 (324-PUCK)
Home games are played at Bakersfield’s
Rabobank Arena Theatre & Convention Center

Bakersfield Jam
NBA Development League
716-4526
Games are played at the Rabobank Arena.

City of Bakersfield Recreation & Parks Department
900 Truxtun Avenue Ste 100 93301
326-FUNN
Various programs, activities and events offered year-round, including recreation-based classes.

North of the River Recreation & Park District
405 Galaxy Avenue 93308
392-2000 
A wide range of activities are organized and offered throughout the year, including football, dance classes, fishing derbies and more. 

MORE THINGS TO DO

Downtown Street Fairs
Presented by the Downtown Business Association. which also organizes local parades and sponsors the annual Up on the Roof/Down on the Street event.

Downtown Business Association
2000 K Street #120 93301
325-5892

Camelot Park
1251 Oak Street 93304 (corner of Oak Street & California Avenue)
325-1379 or 325-5453
Seven-acre family park includes miniature golf, bumper goats, go-karts, batting cages and a 10,000square-foot arcade.

John’s Incredible Pizza
3709 Rosedale Highway 93308
859-1111
Fun for the entire family, featuring Bakersfield’s only pizza buffet. Large arcade complete with bumper cars, video, skill and carnival games, simulator ride and more. Four dining rooms plus sports, cartoon, quiet and business conference rooms.

Golden West Casino
1001 South Union Avenue 93307
324-6936
Card club and casino. Play poker or California games. Restaurant and lounge plus weekend \
entertainment. Open seven days a week, 24-hours a day.

Dewar’s Candy and Ice Cream Parlor
1120 Eye Street 93301
322-0933
9530 Hageman Road 93312
587-2056
Enjoy sweet confections and ice cream fromo the Dewar family recipes that are nearly a century old. Oldest family-owned soda fountain in the Southwest United States. 

Updated May 2008.