A Weekend in Beautiful Bakersfield: “More to Explore”
Nestled in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, Bakersfield offers its visitors historic buildings, quaint neighborhoods, authentic cuisine, culture, and family fun. Gold brought many settlers to Bakersfield in the 19th Century, but its oil and agricultural industries have sustained the local economy for more than 100 years. In fact, it is among the top agricultural producers in the nation, with more than 250 different crops, and it claims the carrot capital of the world. Bakersfield is one of the fastest-growing cities in California, and has seen its population more than triple in the last 30 years. With its rich resources, Bakersfield is worth a detour off Highway 99. You’ll be surprised because the city offers “more to explore” than you imagined.
Friday Night: Cowboy Boogie
Embroiled with unique country-music history, Bakersfield even has its own musical genre: the Bakersfield Sound made famous by singer-songwriter Buck Owens, who immortalized his hometown with his country hit, “Streets of Bakersfield.” He and country singer Merle Haggard even have their own streets in town named after them. No trip to Bakersfield would be complete without a trip to Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace (2800 Buck Owens Blvd.) The Crystal Palace features many famous headliners, but most Friday and Saturday nights you can also enjoy good old fashioned cooking, dancing, and singing with The World Famous Buckaroos from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Then, from 9:00-11:45 you can strap on your boots and boogie to Steve Davis and Stampede. While you’re dining and dancing, take a break and check out the Palace’s extensive country music memorabilia including guitars, suits, photographs, and many personal items from Buck’s own collection. As a popular night attraction, make sure to call for reservations at 661-328-7500. www.buckowens.com.
Saturday: Black Gold
Located on 16 acres, the Kern County Museum (3801 Chester Avenue; 661-852-5000) features 57 historic building and exhibits, many relocated structures, an award-winning, hands-on oil exhibition, and the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center for youth eight and under. Museum director, Jeff Nickell says the museum is “an opportunity to see something unlike anything on the West Coast.”
Black Gold: The Oil Experience is a permanent $4 million science, technology, and history interactive exhibition. Download a museum scavenger hunt at www.kcmuseum.org to play during your visit.
Saturday Lunch: MOO!
Moo Creamery (4885 Truxtun Ave., Suite B; 861-1130) provides Bakersfield with high-quality gourmet burgers, fresh homemade organic ice cream, hand-mixed drinks, and made-from-scratch pastries in a family-friendly atmosphere. The dream of Jessica Pounds and Richard Yoshimura, Moo Creamery, strives to keep the small town flavor that Bakersfield holds dear. Elvis fans can make the “king” himself proud, if they order Moo’s specialty Elvis Shake complete with vanilla bean ice cream, bananas, peanut butter, marshmallows, and candied bacon (yes, bacon). Your taste buds will never be the same! www.moocreamery.com
Saturday Afternoon: Lights, Camera, Action!
Just a couple hours north of Hollywood, Bakersfield has been the ultimate filming destination for hundreds of blockbusters. It’s big business: Film and television production companies spend about $15 million a year while shooting at locations throughout Kern County. Some of the movies filmed in Kern County include Hitchcock’s thrillers “North by Northwest” and “Psycho,” Clint Eastwood’s “Any Which Way But Loose,” and “Thelma and Louise.” More recently, you can see Kern County in “Star Trek” and “Land of the Lost.” Take a few hours “Set Jetting” around Kern, and you’ll find all kinds of familiar places you’ve seen on the big screen. For a complete movie map of the area, visit www.setjettingkern.org
Saturday Night: Basque Eateries
Did you know? Bakersfield has one of the largest Basque communities outside of the Pyrenees Mountains and is home to the largest collection of Basque restaurants in the United States. Wool Growers Restaurant (620 E. 19th Street; 661-327-9584) have served up traditional Basque specialties for more than 50 years. Diners can expect a Basque meal to be served family style at long trestle tables, with hearty courses including ox tail stew, shish kabob on rice, tri-tip, filet mignon, shrimp, and breaded veal. Go hungry! www.woolgrowers.net
Sunday: Enjoy Nature
Take the morning to walk through the exhibits featured at The California Living Museum, CALM, (10500 Alfred Harrell Highway; 872-2256) California’s Premier Native Zoo and Garden. Since opening its doors to the public in 1983, CALM displays and interprets native California animals, plants, fossils, and artifacts to teach a respect for all living things through education, recreation, conservation, and research. A member of the Zoological Association of America, CALM is home to all kinds of animals and is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check the site for more details www.calmzoo.org.
Sunday Treat: World Famous Confections!
You can’t leave Bakersfield without trying its world-famous sweet confections from Dewar’s Family Candy and Ice Cream Parlor (1120 Eye Street, 661-322-0933 or 9530 Hageman Rd. #K, 661-587-2056). Having recently celebrated their 100th birthday, Dewars features their family’s tried-and-true recipes from Grandpa Dewar including their delicious chews, chocolates, and ice cream. These delightful treats will be sure to bring a smile to your face! www.dewarscandy.com
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Vaun Thygerson, a writer for Kern County Family Magazine, has three small children—one daughter and two sons. When she’s not writing parenting articles, she’s teaching communication and writing courses at the college level. In 1998, with the birth of her first child, she started writing for parenting publications and has covered various topics relating to all aspects of motherhood. Prior to 1998, she spent eight years in the radio industry working for “American Radio,” a radio trade publication. Although she and her family have lived in the Central Valley, California, for more than 12 years, she has also lived in Idaho, Utah, Hawaii, Washington, D.C, Indianapolis, and Chicago.
updated: June 20, 2012
