Bakersfield California is a vibrant city that has something for everyone. From history to food, Bakersfield boasts an exciting lifestyle. With so much to explore and do, Bakersfield has quickly become one of the fastest-growing medium metropolises in America. Here are some great places to go during your stay that will ensure it's an unforgettable one!
1. Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
The Buena Vista Museum of
Natural History & Science is an exciting destination for families to
visit. It boasts numerous captivating exhibits, such as those on geology,
fossils, and dinosaurs. Plus, it has an IMAX theatre where patrons can watch
films. Established in 1995, this museum showcases Bob and Mary Ernst's
incredible collection of Miocene fossils from Shark Tooth Hill. These fossils
are incredibly rare, making this an invaluable opportunity for visitors to
learn about Earth's past. BVM boasts one of the world's largest collections of
Miocene fossils, dating back 14-15 million years and discovered in Kern County,
California.
This diverse collection contains dinosaurs, petrified woods, rock formations,
and mineral specimens alike. Another thing that sets this museum apart is its
collection of taxidermy models. There are life-sized replicas of lions, tigers,
cheetahs, elephants, and bears as well as a Yokuts Indian village replica and a
detailed model of Yosemite Valley.
Visitors to the museum can explore an array of artifacts such as trading
beads, baskets, and arrowheads. It's a perfect spot for an afternoon spent
admiring its collection. In addition to its exhibitions and collections, the
museum also provides an engaging interactive center for children. Here they can
play games, create their own fossils, and take home some intriguing samples. The
museum also hosts a number of events and programs throughout the year, such as
Family Days, days dedicated to natural science and paleontology, interactions
with subject matter experts, senior days, and reduced ticket prices for
members. If you're planning to visit the museum, it is essential to plan ahead
of time. Check the website or call before going so there are no cancellations
and that the museum is open during your desired dates. There is a small fee to
enter the museum, but it's well worth it for such an enjoyable and educational
experience. Adults pay $10; seniors (60 or over) pay $8; students are charged
$6.
2. Valley Plaza Mall
Bakersfield is known as one of California's premier shopping destinations,
and Valley Plaza Mall
lives up to this reputation. As the largest mall in San Joaquin Valley, it
features anchor stores like Forever 21, JCPenney, Macy's, and Target. Valley
Plaza Mall provides a range of entertainment options, such as restaurants and
movie theaters. There are various ways to get there from here but the quickest
method is via public transit.
Moovit can help you find the most convenient way to get to Valley Plaza Mall
by providing step-by-step directions from your nearest public transit station.
View schedules and arrival times, as well as use real-time fare prices to plan
ahead. Valley Plaza Mall can be reached in a variety of ways, but bus travel
tends to be the cheapest. Moovit also allows users to make online reservations
for buses so that their journey will run smoothly and on schedule. Another
option is taking the train. With Moovit's Transit Centers search tool, you can
locate the closest train station quickly and easily.
For a fun activity in Bakersfield, consider visiting the Buena Vista Museum
of Natural History & Science. Situated in Bakersfield's Arts District, this
museum specializes in geology, anthropology, and paleontology. The main exhibit
is Mary Ernst's collection of Miocene fossils but there's also taxidermy from
Africa, replicas of triceratops skulls and models of Yosemite Valley to name a
few. The Buena Vista Museum is a popular summer destination among locals,
especially during the splash pad and picnic areas. Bring the whole family out
to have some fun together at this outdoor attraction! Run in Central Park at
Mill Creek, a linear park that spans the waterfront of Mill Creek. Runners can
access this park from either side of the river and make a loop within it for
added exercise. The 32-acre Park at River Walk is an amazing feat of urban
engineering, connecting to the scenic Kern River Parkway Trail. It's the
perfect spot for a day of relaxation with your loved ones; featuring six
covered picnic areas that can seat between 16 and 48 people as well as a
children's playground.
3. Central Park at Mill Creek
Central Park at Mill Creek, located just east of downtown Bakersfield, is a stunning
park featuring concrete and cobblestone trails that span along Mill Creek's
waterfront. It has become an increasingly popular spot for runners as well as
one of Bakersfield California's premier public spaces. This park was previously
private property but was acquired by the city in 2009. Since then it has been
renovated and improved into a local landmark with its covered bridge, paved
walking and biking paths, WiFi hot spots, restroom facilities, as well as
playground equipment. The park offers a wide range of events for kids and
adults alike, such as dog shows, 5K races, drive-in movies, and baseball fields
with batting cages.
Camelot Park in Bakersfield is another enjoyable family destination that
offers mini golf, go-karts, kiddie rides, and a large video game arcade for
reasonable entry fees. Its service and facilities are top-notch as well. This
park, though close to the city, offers a tranquil atmosphere that will appeal
to everyone. It features a lake with ducks and geese, clean restrooms, as well
as shade trees for extra relaxation in nature. It is also adjacent to the Kern
River Paved Bike Trail, making it convenient for you to stroll or bike
elsewhere in Bakersfield California. As such, it makes an ideal stopover for a
picnic or simply taking in all that Bakersfield California has to offer.
Only a short drive away from the Fox Theater lies the Buena Vista Museum of
Natural History & Science, an engaging museum that preserves Kern County
and California's rich history through artifacts, photos, documents, and more.
With exhibits on paleontology, geology, anthropology, and more to educate
visitors of all ages; plus they offer engaging programs for both kids and
adults alike! Visitors often come here for fishing, birdwatching or taking a
leisurely walk around the stunning gardens in the park. It has an expansive
pavilion that provides shade when needed and plenty of restaurants and stores
where one can purchase souvenirs.
4. Panorama Vista Preserve
Hikers and equestrians will love exploring the trails at Panorama Vista Preserve. It offers a
range of trails that are easy to access with picturesque views to enjoy along
the way. Here, there are miles of trails to explore - including a jogging trail
and one that climbs all the way up to a ridge on the other side of the creek.
Plus, there are plenty of benches along the way where you can stop and relax. The
Preserve's savannas feature rolling topography, wide-spreading canopies, and
riparian galleries adorned with slender black oaks, solid blue oaks, and
ancient valley oaks. You may spot California bay trees, Pacific madrone trees,
or bigleaf maples throughout these habitats.
In the summer months, California's grasslands are alive with shades of gold
and vibrant wildflowers. They also host some unique wildlife like the wide-eyed
frog and California tiger salamander. In wintertime, these ponds and streams
serve as a haven for soaring harrier hawks and golden eagles. Mountain lions
hunt for black-tailed deer here too, while endangered steelhead trout spawn in
their streams. It's the perfect place to spend quality time with family and
friends or simply take a stroll and admire the scenery. You can even bring your
pets along since there are plenty of trails for them to run on.
One of the great advantages of the trail is its stunning views to both the north
and south. You can take in stunning vistas of Mission Peak and Mt Diablo in the
distance. Along the way, you'll pass by plenty of homes including some stunning
small mansions. This trail truly is one of the best in town; make sure to come
out and experience it for yourself! This was my first hike out of this list and
I highly recommend it! There's a slight hill, but it's manageable, and you get
to enjoy an awesome view at the end. It may be harder than other trails in
terms of difficulty level; make sure your footwear is sturdy to avoid any ruts
or hazards.
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