Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Bakersfield (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Kern County Museum, Bakersfield City Hall, and Fox Theater. Also, be sure to include Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Bakersfield (California).
Table of Contents
Kern County Museum
Museum in Bakersfield, California. The Kern County Museum is a history museum located in Bakersfield, California. Its main focus is the history of Kern County. Pioneer Village, located on 16 acres, contains over 50 original buildings from around the county, related to life in the late 19th century. Other features include: Lori Brock Children's Discovery Center, Black Gold exhibit, and Neon Plaza. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
One of the most recognizable structures at the museum is the Beale Memorial Clock Tower, located on the lawn in front of it. The clock tower was originally constructed in 1904 in the center of the intersection of 17th St. and Chester Ave. It was destroyed in the 1952 earthquake and rebuilt at this site in 1964.[1]
Address: 3801 Chester Ave, 93301-1345 Bakersfield (Northeast Bakersfield)
Bakersfield City Hall
Building in Bakersfield, California. Bakersfield City Hall is the center of government for the City of Bakersfield, California. It houses the Mayor's office and the City Council chambers. It is located in the Civic Center, Downtown. A statue of Colonel Thomas Baker, the city's founder, is in front of the building and is marked as California Historical Landmark #382. Many of the city's departments and officials are located in City Hall North, which is one block west of City Hall South.[2]
Address: Bakersfield, 1501 Truxtun Avenue
Fox Theater
Theater in Bakersfield, California. The Fox Theater is located at 2001 H Street in Downtown Bakersfield, California. The theater, which opened on Christmas Day, 1930, is a historic performing arts and community events center located in downtown Bakersfield, and hosts a variety of events, ranging from ballets, numerous community events, movies to contemporary pop and rock acts.[3]
Address: Bakersfield, 2001 H Street
Buck Owens' Crystal Palace
Music hall in Bakersfield, California. Buck Owens Crystal Palace is a music hall located in Bakersfield, California. It was constructed by Buck Owens, and was opened in 1996. Primarily it is a performance venue for country western music, although other music genres have been heard there. It is also the home of the Buck Owens Museum, which contains items related to his career. Although it is classified in this article as a music hall, it is also a nightclub, bar, restaurant, and museum.
The Crystal Palace is designed in the Western Revival style, a style that resembles buildings from the 19th-century American Old West. The interior resembles an American western town from that same period. The museum is located in display cases around the first floor, which resemble the windows to the building.[4]
Address: Bakersfield, 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science is a natural history museum in Bakersfield, California. It is located in the Arts district, downtown. The museum focuses on three areas: Geology, Anthropology, and Paleontology.[5]
Address: 2018 Chester Ave, 93301-4420 Bakersfield (Central Bakersfield)
Lake Ming
Lake in California. Lake Ming is a man-made recreational lake located in Bakersfield, California. It is primarily a motorboat and water-skiing lake, although sailboats are allowed the second full weekend each month, and every Tuesday and Thursday after 1:30 pm. Lake Ming also has fishing and the Department of Fish and Game stocks the lake with 10 to 12 inches rainbow trout during the winter months. The primary fishes are Large-mouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Carp and stocked Rainbow Trout. Lake Ming is a part of the Kern River County Park. The National Jet Boat Association holds races at the lake throughout the year.[6]
First Baptist Church
Baptist church in Bakersfield, California. The First Baptist Church, also known as the Bell Towers, is a historic church complex built in 1931 in Bakersfield, California and presently used as an office building. The structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 2, 1979.[7]
Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center
Theater. The Mechanics Bank Theater and Convention Center is a performing arts theater and convention facility located in Bakersfield, California. It is adjacent to the Mechanics Bank Arena.[8]
Address: 1001 Truxtun Ave, 93301-4714 Bakersfield (Central Bakersfield)
Kern Veterans Memorial
Monument in Bakersfield, California. The Kern Veterans Memorial is a monument located in Kern County, California. It honors all Kern County residents who served in the armed forces, both in peacetime and in war. It is located in downtown Bakersfield, at the corner of Truxtun Ave. and S St. The memorial is adjacent to the Kern County Visitors Bureau, Bakersfield Amtrak Station, and Beale Memorial Library. It is also in between the two segments of Mill Creek.[9]
Hart Memorial Park
Hart Memorial Park is a large public park in Kern County, California. It is located just north of Bakersfield. The park is 370 acres, and contains two lakes and three canals. It was named after County Supervisor John Hart, who spearheaded the project. Constructed between 1921 and 1936, it is the oldest section of the Kern River County Park.[10]
Address: 401 N Grant Ave, Bakersfield
Bakersfield Museum of Art
Museum in Bakersfield, California. The Bakersfield Museum of Art is an art museum, in Bakersfield, California. It is located in Central Park, on the corner of 19th St. and R St. It has four galleries, which contains a permanent collection mainly from regional artists, as well as room for traveling art exhibits. In 1991, it was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.[11]
Address: 1931 R St, 93301 Bakersfield (Central Bakersfield)