Bakersfield

Bakersfield is a city at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California, United States. It is located roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles.

Bakersfield is one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States. Bakersfield has a population of approximately 323,000 and a metropolitan area of approximately a half million. Bakersfield is famous for being the home of country music singers Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, and has the nickname "the country music capital of the West Coast." Bakersfield has also produced its share of football players such as Joey Porter, Frank Gifford, and David Carr. Bakersfield is a very conservative, religious city compared to most of the state.

This city will never be a tourist destination, but there are things to do. The Kern County Museum is a great place to visit, with 56 historic exhibits in a lush shady 16 acre setting. The historical exhibit buildings include everything from an 1800s log cabin to a 1936 gas station, with jails, one-room school, Victorian era homes and everything in between. The Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center is great fun for the kids. Outstanding special events are offered all year. Just a short hop from Highways 204, 99 or 58 this is great stop just north of downtown Bakersfield. Admission is charged, but $8 for adults is a bargain. Picnicking is welcome on regular admission days, and some events offer free admission. Car shows, an annual antique show, and Clock Tower Holidays are all worth the visit.

For entertainment there are many cultural and sporting opportunities. The Rabobank Arena hosts sporting events, concerts, circuses, and other shows throughout the year, and the downtown Fox Theater schedules standup comedy and musical guests. Each May the CSU Bakersfield campus is home to the popular weekend Jazz Festival. Ethnic food and culture festivals--including Scottish, Indian, Basque, and Greek--occur in the spring and summer as well. Cinema fans enjoy year-round showings of award-winning international films at the downtown Fox Theater.