Discover Bakersfield

Bakersfield is a diverse destination for anyone looking to combine culture, experiences in nature, history, and a distinctive musical tradition. The Bakersfield Museum of Art, the CALM Zoo, historic museums, and trails through the city offer different options for planning your days. When looking for a vacation rental in Bakersfield, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus more on exhibitions, outdoor activities, regional history, or culinary discoveries.

Art and History in Bakersfield

The Bakersfield Museum of Art offers a broad range of art experiences by exhibiting and preserving works of art. Its offerings also include educational programs, community outreach, and special events. This means that a stay does not have to be limited to viewing art: You can also look for formats that combine a museum visit with educational activities and community experiences.

The Kern County Museum focuses on historical objects that tell important stories from life in Kern County. The museum displays thousands of historical and cultural artifacts in more than 56 historic buildings across 16 landscaped areas. Those interested in regional development and tangible historic sites will find a different experience here than in a traditional art exhibition. The Bakersfield: A Journey Through Time Historical Trail adds another perspective, with more than 25 stops leading to historic sites throughout the city.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Through education, visitor experiences, and conservation, the CALM Zoo provides an introduction to California’s ecosystem. It combines native California wildlife with outdoor activities that can be experienced on foot. Many of the more than 250 animals at the CALM Zoo cannot be released back into the wild. This aspect is just as much part of engaging with the animals as observing them.

For active days, the Kern River Parkway Trail offers a different way to explore the area. There are several free parking lots along the route. The trail can be cycled in sections or completed by bike in a single day. This gives you the flexibility to take a shorter ride or enjoy a full-day cycling excursion. Consider this choice when planning your vacation rental and the rest of your day, without making all your outings follow the same rhythm.

Music, Cuisine, and Wine as Distinctive Highlights

Bakersfield was the birthplace of the Bakersfield Sound in the 1950s and 1960s. This subgenre of country music combines twang guitars, drums, fiddle, and steel guitar. Its musical history gives the destination a distinctive cultural character and offers a meaningful focus for travelers who want to discover local traditions beyond museums and landscapes.

Bakersfield also has a clear culinary identity: It is home to the largest concentration of Basque restaurants in the United States. In addition, the Bakersfield Kern County Wine Trail connects tasting rooms, wine bars, and vineyards in designated American Viticultural Areas between Bakersfield and Tehachapi. Anyone looking to shape a trip around culture, food, and wine can take these different focuses into account when choosing accommodation in Bakersfield.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

For further planning, you can also explore Kernville, Lebec, Mojave, Ridgecrest, Lost Hills, Rosamond, McKittrick, and Boron.

For the overarching travel overview: Kern.