Skip to Content

43 Best and Fun Things To Do In Bakersfield, California


TouristWire Editors

Fondly referred to as Bako by inhabitants, Bakersfield is a delightful destination with an abundance of attractions for tourists to enjoy.

In the past, it was known only for its oil and agriculture industries, but the city now boasts a thriving arts scene, a rich culture, dozens of eateries, and an array of recreational activities to choose from.

Some must-see attractions on your weekend trip to Bakersfield include the Kern County Museum, where you can learn all about the area’s history, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace, and the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

Other places of interest include the Sam Lynn Ballpark, Kern County Raceway, Gaslight Theater & Music Hall, and the Kern River Parkway nature preserve.

If we’ve piqued your interest in this city, continue reading for a list with all the information you need for planning the perfect trip

The 43 Most Popular Things To Do In Bakersfield, California

43. Weedpatch Camp

3.8 ★★★★☆ (4 reviews)

Lossy-page1-800px-an outbuilding of the former weedpatch camp south of bakersfield%2c california lccn2013631374.tif

Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 8701 Sunset Blvd Bakersfield CA

Web Address:   https://catalog.archives.gov/id/123858877

42. Lake Truxtun

4.1 ★★★★☆ (12 reviews)

51348937217 9ec2b1eef7 h

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

41. Tlo Wines Tasting Room

4.4 ★★★★☆ (14 reviews)

Af1qipoqiy7jydkktjimaqxspnibndfqcsz2kflx-bjj=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Tlo Wines Tasting Room, Google Maps

Location: 1212 18th Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 864 7086

Web Address:   http://tlowines.com/

40. Hart Park Lake

4.6 ★★★★★ (18 reviews)

50814281727 a81b57127b h

Credit: Babette Plana, License, Flickr

39. Sharktooth Hill

4.6 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

Af1qipoutscqot1phi9awjx7xigjm298vhaml37nnl11=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Joel Lopez, Google Maps

38. Panorama Vista Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ (40 reviews)

Af1qipp1xrb5dpo1w 2f4kaqvlmdcmj99ch uhvjlrk=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: keith cottrill, Google Maps

Location: 901 E Roberts Ln Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 872 3569

Web Address:   http://panoramavista.org/

37. Lori Brock Discovery Center

4.3 ★★★★☆ (48 reviews)

Af1qipp1flwsb1oliulkj7jqqxp gqt78lge547gygrr=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Juan Antonio Rodriguez-Toquero, Google Maps

Location: 3801 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 437 3330

Web Address:   https://kerncountymuseum.org/lori-brock-discovery-center/

36. The Bakersfield Sign

4.4 ★★★★☆ (50 reviews)

Location: 3032 3000 Sillect Ave Bakersfield CA

35. Ernst Quarries

4.4 ★★★★☆ (67 reviews)

Af1qipnjt45zl7a-0dvbspwzurgiqhub9w118c0rfq6l=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Liz Bowers, Google Maps

Location: Round Mountain Road Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 319 7080

Web Address:   http://sharktoothhillproperty.com/

34. Windermere Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (79 reviews)

Af1qipp4e7e dneikerktws-m19waiufrlqk0u-umt6z=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Erik Rincon, Google Maps

Location: 3101 Bromley Way Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

33. Lake Ming

4.6 ★★★★★ (142 reviews)

Location: 13375 Lake Ming Road Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 868 7000

Web Address:   https://kerncounty.com/government/parks/facilities/kern-river-county-park/lake-ming

32. Haggin Oaks Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (150 reviews)

Location: 9200 Mc Innes Blvd Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

31. Stramler Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (163 reviews)

Location: 4003 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 868 7000

Web Address:   https://kerncounty.com/government/parks/facilities/picnic-areas/stramler-park

30. Riverlakes Ranch Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (261 reviews)

Af1qipokkz6y smb1spwufdvdktxkbcyu33hnsclwygc=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Steve Flores, Google Maps

Location: 3825 Riverlakes Dr Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 392 2081

Web Address:   https://norfun.org/riverlakes-ranch-park-community-center

29. Grissom Park

4.0 ★★★★☆ (307 reviews)

Af1qippqyqug9ksyr1meca1 qc9wdlpmsxo9j9knkp9j=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Aaron M, Google Maps

Location: 5400 White Ln Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

28. Sam Lynn Ballpark

4.3 ★★★★☆ (321 reviews)

Location: 4009 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 716 4487

Web Address:   http://samlynnballpark.com/

27. Kern River County park

4.7 ★★★★★ (347 reviews)

Location: Bakersfield CA

26. Links at Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course

4.3 ★★★★☆ (374 reviews)

Af1qipp3oayo6ocddyapbzhlbosr-9ixicghqfa4ro7h=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Links at Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course, Google Maps

Location: 5201 Riverlakes Dr Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 587 5465

Web Address:   http://riverlakesgc.com/

25. McMurtrey Aquatic Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ (377 reviews)

800px-mcmurtrey aquatics center zero depth pool

Credit: Skyman9999, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1325 Q Street Suite 200 Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 852 7430

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

24. Centennial Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ (379 reviews)

Af1qipo4yjel 5wnvy0qbluyenlipphk1udge2kbddy8=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Valerie lynn, Google Maps

Location: 400 Montclair Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

23. Emerald Cove Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (436 reviews)

Af1qipn5nn3nce2i4lyd6xwegjmeo6jmrpkxiwli0ssy=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Lisa Ayala, Google Maps

Location: 4303 Patton Way Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 392 2020

Web Address:   https://norfun.org/emerald-cove-park

22. Saunders Park

3.7 ★★★★☆ (452 reviews)

Location: 3300 Palm Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

21. Siemon Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (528 reviews)

Af1qippa4yrmn837-tiszxlgn2psoqptxg6tbio8m2hp=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Bryan Ortiz, Google Maps

Location: 3300 Redlands Dr Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

20. Greystone Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (592 reviews)

Location: 5709 Mountain Vista Dr Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

19. Beale Park

4.0 ★★★★☆ (686 reviews)

Location: 500 Oleander Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

18. Golden West Casino

3.9 ★★★★☆ (704 reviews)

16320943153 78d5404677 b

Credit: Thomas Hawk, License, Flickr

Location: 1001 S Union Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 324 6936

Web Address:   http://goldenwestcasino.com/

17. Kern County Raceway Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (713 reviews)

26724597747 e1a98204f1 h

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

Location: 13500 Raceway Blvd Interstate 5 and Enos Ln Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 835 1264

Web Address:   http://kernraceway.com/

16. Yokuts Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (731 reviews)

44373896454 0f9c731652 h

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

Location: 4200 Empire Dr Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

15. Jastro Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ (763 reviews)

39503449152 707dec44b2 b

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

Location: 2900 Truxtun Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

14. Silver Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ (768 reviews)

800px-silver creek park

Credit: Mx. Granger, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 7011 Harris Road Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 665 8033

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

13. Jefferson Park

3.7 ★★★★☆ (873 reviews)

Location: 801 Bernard Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

12. Beach Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ (1,137 reviews)

800px-poipu beach park%2c koloa - panoramio

Credit: Bob Linsdell, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3400 21st Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

11. Camelot Park

4.0 ★★★★☆ (1,289 reviews)

Location: 1251 Oak Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 859 1812

Web Address:   http://camelotparkbakersfield.com/

10. Central Park at Mill Creek

4.1 ★★★★☆ (1,455 reviews)

800px-mill creek salem%2c oregon at commerical street

Credit: M.O. Stevens, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 500 19th Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

9. Panorama Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (2,177 reviews)

Location: Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 872 5149

Our Top picks

8. Kern River Parkway Bike Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

30319636097 f73597a474 h

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

7. Bakersfield Museum of Art

4.6 ★★★★★ (160 reviews)

736px-2011 bakersfield museum of art sign

Credit: Skyman9999, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 1930 R Street Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 323 7219

Web Address:   http://bmoa.org/

6. Lake Ming

4.5 ★★★★★ (221 reviews)

5. Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science

4.6 ★★★★★ (229 reviews)

398px-buena vista museum exterior

Credit: Skyman9999, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 2018 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 324 6350

Web Address:   http://buenavistamuseum.org/

4. Kern County Museum

4.6 ★★★★★ (1,044 reviews)

Lossy-page1-800px-the kern county museum%2c a history museum located in bakersfield%2c california lccn2013633102.tif

Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3801 Chester Ave Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 437 3330

Web Address:   http://kerncountymuseum.org/

3. California Living Museum

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,917 reviews)

800px-san joaquin kit fox b-40-13 08 20 1993

Credit: California Department Water, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 872 2256

Web Address:   http://calmzoo.org/

2. The Park at River Walk

4.7 ★★★★★ (3,597 reviews)

49624352452 ec29b5f22f h

Credit: David Seibold, License, Flickr

Location: 11298 Streetockdale Hwy Bakersfield CA

Tel:  661 326 3866

Web Address:   https://bakersfieldcity.us/297/Recreation-Parks

1. Hart Memorial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ (3,774 reviews)

50593391773 984fd346c2 h

Credit: Babette Plana, License, Flickr

Location: Hart Park Bakersfield CA

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Bakersfield, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

Join the TouristWire community

At TouristWire, our team works tirelessly to bring you the most comprehensive itineraries and reviews to help you plan your next trip. Don’t miss out, join our mailing list and our reviews delivered directly to your mailbox!

!