Bakersfield: Recreation, Sights and Sound

The Bakersfield Welcome Sign1

A hub for arts and entertainment in the lower San Joaquin Valley of California, Bakersfield is a diverse and active city that boasts numerous recreational and sporting experiences, interesting cultural and historical venues and a vibrant downtown district. Its location along the Kern River makes it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Off-road recreation is one of the most popular pastimes of residents and numerous vehicular recreation areas are available within a short distance from the city. Boasting a dynamic musical community, the city is also known as the birthplace of the country music genre known as the Bakersfield sound, best exemplified in the music of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Dwight Yoakam. A long and colorful legacy of migration to this former boom town has resulted in a diverse citizenship, particularly in its large Basque population and influences.

ORIENTATION

Located along the southern tip of the San Joaquin Valley and just west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Bakersfield is approximately 100 mi (160 km) north of Los Angeles. The state capital, Sacramento, is approximately 300 mi (500 km) northwest of the city. The Tehachapis mountain range partially surrounds the city while the famed Kern River flows through the valley canyons offering ideal whitewater rafting and kayaking conditions.

HISTORY

	A child picking wildflowers2

Fully incorporated in 1898, the city of Bakersfield boasts a long and colorful history filled with Spanish missionary influences, gold-rush pioneering and a pattern of triumph over tragedy.

The San Joaquin Valley area that is now Bakersfield was first settled by Yokut American Indians over 8000 years ago. By 1776, the region had its first encounter with European settlement by Spanish missionaries. The late 18th century continued to be marked by a rapidly increasing influx of European settlers and pioneers due to the discovery of gold in the Kern River in 1851 and the subsequent discovery of oil just four years later. Pioneers migrated to the valley in droves, resulting in the need for the surveying and parceling of land. Settler Colonel Thomas Baker quickly assumed this role by purchasing a large parcel of land to accommodate the influx and provide feed for horses. A formal township was surveyed by the Colonel in 1869. It was suggested that the town be called Bakersfield because the first parcels were already known as Baker's Field. The area continued to attract settlers despite being hit with natural disasters and devastating fires in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The arrival of the San Joaquin Valley Railroad in 1898 provided yet another population and economic boom to the city. Similarly, the Dust Bowl of the 1930's resulted in a mass exodus of agricultural and oil industry migrant workers to the region.

Bakersfield would yet again be struck by disaster during its last major earthquake on July 21, 1952, which led to overwhelming changes in architectural design patterns in the city. As a result of the early threat of earthquakes, the architectural face of Bakersfield is best described as sprawling and flat. More recently, the city has been free of the threat of any substantial earthquakes, experiencing only occasional minor tremors that go relatively unnoticed by residents and visitors. The legacy of the region's perseverance and innovation is obvious today with a diverse citizenship and economy that continues to be as resourceful and optimistic as its fore founders.

CLIMATE

With a markedly Mediterranean climate, Bakersfield's weather patterns are identified by a predictably rainy winter, especially from January to March when average precipitation totals fall at around 1 in (2.5 cm) per month. As is typical of this climate, the remainder of the year sees little to no rain with summers showing a significant jump in average temperatures during the months of June, July, August and September. Visitors during the summer months can expect warm to hot temperatures while spring, autumn and winter months are typically marked by mild temperatures.

TRANSPORTATION

Although not directly linked to an Interstate highway, Bakersfield is bisected by the north-south running State Route 99. Route 99 boasts a number of connecting highways to Interstate 5, which runs just west of the city. Travelers visiting the city by air have access to the city's Meadows Field Airport which offers daily flights to domestic and international destinations. The city can also be reached by Greyhound Lines and AmTrak's San Joaquins train service, which provides convenient service to the city with stops in San Fransisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton and Fresno. While in Bakersfield, visitors can explore the city via its convenient public transit bus system, Golden Empire Transit.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

CALM (California Living Museum)
Offering comprehensive displays of native Californian flora and fauna, CALM is a prime destination for families and those who seek to learn more about the animal and plant species that comprise the diverse Californian landscape. Visitors can explore botanical gardens and a wide range of animal exhibits including a desert animal display, a birds of prey area, a black bear habitat and more. Tortoises, snakes, mule deers, foxes, owls and eagles are just a sampling of the animals viewable at the museum. In addition to offering these wildlife displays, CALM also features a number of educational programs and special events throughout the year. The annual HolidayLights, held during the month of December, is one of CALM's must-see events. During this month-long spectacle, the zoo's grounds are transformed with dazzling light displays.

Fox Theater3

Performance Venues

Bakersfield is known for its pervasive musical influence, so it is no surprise that the city offers a wide range of entertainment opportunities for visitors. The historic Fox Theater is known for its majestic Spanish Colonial and Art Deco architectural style and its pioneering role in the theater industry. Opened in 1930, the theater became the prime venue for big Hollywood screenings, live dramatic productions and world-renowned performing artists. Today, this legacy persists, with regular showings of art-house movies, performances by international recording artists and a diverse range of stage productions.

Located in downtown Bakersfield, the Rabobank Arena, Theater and Convention Center is a premiere venue for sporting events, theater productions and concerts. The center is home to the California State Roadrunners Basketball team, the Blitz Arena Football club and the Bakersfield Condors Hockey team (ECHL).

	Buck Owens Crystal Palace4