With a population of over 400,000, Bakersfield is among the 50 largest cities in the country, well-known for its Basque-style restaurants, attractions and its approach to country music. Represented by arists like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, the "Bakersfield sound" refers to twangy country ballads that incorporate rock-and-roll. With an expanding real estate market and a peculiar vibe, Bakersfield is also a prominent hub for energy and agriculture in the Central Valley. "Bakersfield is the perfect community between a big city and a small town," says Eric Van Denk, CEO and Broker at Central Valley Property Advisors, who has lived in Bakersfield for over 15 years. "People still have a small-town, help-each-other vibe, and you really know your community here."
Visitors to Northeast Bakersfield are greeted by the Welcome sign on Highway 99.
Mechanics Bank Arena in downtown Bakersfield hosts athletic games and music concerts.
A short drive from Oildale is the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame.
Bolthouse Farms is one of the large businesses that employs Bakersfield residents.
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Growing communities on the edge
Bakersfield was officially founded in 1863 and was originally a stopover for travelers. However, it was only in the last few decades that the city began to boom. The region grew 500% between 1970 and 2010, leading to a boom in the real estate market. While this has subsided in recent years, it is still highly ranked as one of the best places to invest in real estate. "I think a lot of people are moving here because you’re able to buy a home, and there’s new construction everywhere," says Andrea Marroquin, a Kern County native and Guest Services Representative at Visit Bakersfield, the city's tourism office." Alongside swaying palm trees, the city has Spanish Revival and Mediterranean architecture. Smaller ranch-style homes line the streets adjacent to downtown, growing larger with expanding lots heading farther outside of the city. "The community wants to get out of the center and go to the outskirts," Van Denk says. While some areas like, City in the Hills and the Rio Bravo Country Club have New Traditional homes and golf courses, other neighborhoods like Kern City and Downtown are more walkable with condos and multifamily options. On average, homes in Bakersfield sell for about $414,000. Additionally, Condos cost roughly $189,000.
Bakersfield's economy has been historically based on agriculture and oil, ranking 7th in the nation for petroleum production. However, there are more growing industries, including manufacturing and distribution. "Energy has been pulling back. It's not as dominant as it used to be," Van Denk says. "When I first got here, it was all oil fields. Now, it has transitioned into farming, logistics and e-commerce. The job market here is very diversifying." Some of the area's largest employers include Adventist Health Hospitals, California correctional facilities and Bolthouse Farms, headquartered in Bakersfield with over 2,200 employees. Many residents also work at the Amazon warehouses and the nearby Target Distribution Center.
There are often these Mediterranean-style homes dotting the streets in Seven Oaks, CA.
Kern City has many unique homes like this Spanish style home.
Target Distribution Center
Amazon Distribution Center
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Historic theaters and Basque-style restaurants
Downtown Bakersfield has famed attractions like the Fox Theater, a historic building with a clock tower and a nostalgic auditorium with art deco-style architecture. This venue screens movies, hosts stand-up comedy, concerts and ballet. Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, a western museum and nightclub, has live music and dancing. Designed by Owens himself, the palace is still operating but is currently up for sale, which may change its role in the city. Mechanics Bank Arena also hosts concerts and various events, such as boxing matches, monster truck shows and hockey games for the Bakersfield Condors, an American Hockey League (AHL) team. The Kern County Museum is an outdoor walking tour with historic buildings and vintage displays attributed to the area's Native American, frontier and oil histories.
The downtown antique district has places to browse collectibles and vintage items, while most of the city's mainstream retail is at the malls and shopping plazas in the southwestern neighborhoods. With a dazzling culinary scene, Bakersfield has the most Basque-style restaurants in the country. Basque food is derived from a particular region of northern Spain and has French and Jewish influences with fish and lamb-based dishes. Restaurants like Wool Growers offer an authentic experience with dishes like cow's tongue and other shareable delicacies. On the night before Thanksgiving, families go from one restaurant to the next in a Basque crawl to celebrate the holiday season.
East Bakersfield friends and family enjoy lunch at Luigi's Restaurant and Delicatessen.
The iconic tower outside the Kern County Museum in Homaker Park.
A basque heritage mural greets Bakersfield patrons to the Wool Growers restaurant.
Concert goers wait in line at the Fox Theatre for the show in downtown Bakersfield.
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Public and private school options
The Kern County High School District is the largest in California, with over 42,000 students, and it earns a B-plus grade from Niche. Private schools are also growing in popularity across the region. Three private high schools offer enrollment: Bakersfield Adventist Academy, Garces Memorial High School and Bakersfield Christian High School. "There are so many private school options here that are really good for kids and offer scholarships," Van Denk says. "Bakersfield Christian High School is known for its football program. New Orleans Saints quarterback Derrick Carr and his family are very involved with the team and the community." Additionally, California State University Bakersfield and Bakersfield College provide higher education options for students.
A tall bell tower highlights the entrance to Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield.
Parents wait to pick their kids up after class at Bakersfield High School.
Large sign for Bakersfield College welcomes student of College Heights.
Students are greeted by the sign at the entrance to Bakersfield Adventist Academy.
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Vast nature preserves
Bakersfield has 63 public parks and seven golf courses. Green spaces often have splash pads and sprinkler parks for hot summer days. Skateboarding is one of Southern California's biggest hobbies, and there are skate areas at Beach Park and Planz Park. The Park at River Walk, a 32-acre space, has bike paths, a lake and an amphitheater. Panorama Park has hiking trails on the Kern River with valley views. Vast nature areas are within reach as well, such as Wind Wolves Preserve, which has rolling grasslands and green mountains filled with wildlife. Northeast of Bakersfield, Sequoia-filled forests have hiking trails, and elevation begins to increase closer to the mountains.
Horseback riders enjoy their afternoon ride through the Kern River Trail in Homaker Park.
Go fishing in the small lake at The Park at River Walk in Seven Oaks, CA.
A wooden sign greets visitors to the Panorama Vista Preserve.
Two Southgate friends coordinate their skateboard trick at Planz Park.
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Amtrak and a regional airport
Bakersfield has both car-dependent and walkable neighborhoods with public transportation. The Golden Empire Transit (GET) bus makes stops throughout the city. Highway 99 connects to Interstate 5 and Los Angeles, about 111 miles south of Bakersfield. State Route 58 goes east toward Nevada and Arizona. The Amtrak makes trips to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Meadows Field Airport is a regional hangar offering short passenger flights to international airports.
Crime trends and weather patterns
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the major violent crime rate increased by about 20% between 2021 and 2023, while major property crime rates fell by around 15% during this time. The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer reflects a higher property crime rate in Bakersfield than U.S. or statewide figures, and violent crime rates are generally somewhere between the two. During 2023, however, Bakersfield’s reported violent crime rates exceeded state and national numbers.
The city has a desert climate resulting in long, dry and hot summers, with an average of more than 100 days over 90 degrees between April and October, and it experiences a mild winter with cool nights. While there can be some frost, snow is rare. Bakersfield also faces air quality and pollution issues, although it is improving due to the shift in the energy industry. In fact, the county promotes green energy and offers rebates for residents switching to electric vehicles.
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