Sacramento vs. Bakersfield (San Diego, Fresno, Modesto: 2014, new home, construction)

[Californiaguy2007]

Yup,Bakersfield really isn't that bad,and it's just like any other mid-sized city anywhere in the Country...There is a lot of investment and new developments going on in Bakersfield because it really does have a lot of potential and a lot of available land as well.

Bakersfield really is improving as time goes by...They built a new freeway called the Westside Parkway which is part of a planned beltway which will also someday connect Interstate 5 directly to Highway 99 to Highway 58,and also more new retail stores and restaurants continue to open up in Bakersfield yearly...Also a new Amazon Distribution Center is being built in Bakersfield as well.

A lot of people judge Bakersfield based on it's past reputation and jokes,and what they see while passing by on Highway 99,when in reality a lot of the nicer parts are not seen from the freeway.

Originally Posted by JB316

This is why I’ll sit here and play devil’s advocate for Bako! That place ain’t so bad, seeing it up close and personal has opened my eyes to its potential. Lots of investment going on in that area and I don’t think I’m alone in seeing potential. The air quality is the only issue holding that area back. From what I understand it’s better than it used to be and they are working to make it better.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Californiaguy2007

Yup,Bakersfield really isn't that bad,and it's just like any other mid-sized city anywhere in the Country...There is a lot of investment and new developments going on in Bakersfield because it really does have a lot of potential and a lot of available land as well.

Bakersfield really is improving as time goes by...They built a new freeway called the Westside Parkway which is part of a planned beltway which will also someday connect Interstate 5 directly to Highway 99 to Highway 58,and also more new retail stores and restaurants continue to open up in Bakersfield yearly...Also a new Amazon Distribution Center is being built in Bakersfield as well.

A lot of people judge Bakersfield based on it's past reputation and jokes,and what they see while passing by on Highway 99,when in reality a lot of the nicer parts are not seen from the freeway.

I used to get the same thing when living in LA. Most folks who don't live there think of LAX, the terrible freeways (405, 5, 10, 101), skid row, the skyscrapers and Hollywood. Yet where I grew up in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo, Torrance beaches) it was much nicer than any of that. In fact, the only time we had to deal with that LA mess was when driving somewhere else.

I must admit I have not seen these nicer parts of Bakersfield you've spoken of. I've only seen some of the less appealing parts including all of the oil fields that go on for miles in the flats and toward the foothills.



Got any pictures of the nicer parts?

Derek

[JB316]

Originally Posted by Californiaguy2007

Yup,Bakersfield really isn't that bad,and it's just like any other mid-sized city anywhere in the Country...There is a lot of investment and new developments going on in Bakersfield because it really does have a lot of potential and a lot of available land as well.

Bakersfield really is improving as time goes by...They built a new freeway called the Westside Parkway which is part of a planned beltway which will also someday connect Interstate 5 directly to Highway 99 to Highway 58,and also more new retail stores and restaurants continue to open up in Bakersfield yearly...Also a new Amazon Distribution Center is being built in Bakersfield as well.

A lot of people judge Bakersfield based on it's past reputation and jokes,and what they see while passing by on Highway 99,when in reality a lot of the nicer parts are not seen from the freeway.

I saw that the last time I was there and yes, they are making great progress with it, I’m wondering when it will be complete.

The Amazon center is a huge deal, 2000 jobs. After that, Walmart announced another 300 job distribution center to be built in Shafter (easy commute). Apparently that distribution center is supposed to be a special high tech one that will be the first of its kind.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bak...162d0.amp.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bak...00bdc.amp.html

[Count David]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I must admit I have not seen these nicer parts of Bakersfield you've spoken of. I've only seen some of the less appealing parts including all of the oil fields that go on for miles in the flats and toward the foothills.

Got any pictures of the nicer parts?

Derek

I've never seen anything like the picture you just posted. And yeah, I've seen plenty of the inner city of Bako, and yes, parts can be pretty gross.

But:

https://goo.gl/maps/5NLxbWqcdhv
https://goo.gl/maps/5jJh9afdgJR2
https://goo.gl/maps/PisVrxVgpxv
https://goo.gl/maps/Dert4Gnc3eE2

Coming westbound from Tehachapi on CA-58, the golden hills as you descend....beautiful.

And heading east out of Arvin towards Bear Mountain, still one of the most beautiful drives I have ever done. NOTE: This is the nicest comment that will ever reference Arvin.

And of course Kernville, the rest of the KRV, beautiful in its own way.

[Californiaguy2007]

That pic you posted is in the outskirts of Northeast Bakersfield probably near Hart Park. That area is mostly barren and dry,but most of Bakersfield is pretty green with great views of the mountains in many locations.

https://visit-bakersfield.s3.amazona...lif__large.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...sfield-pan.JPG

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

I must admit I have not seen these nicer parts of Bakersfield you've spoken of. I've only seen some of the less appealing parts including all of the oil fields that go on for miles in the flats and toward the foothills.



Got any pictures of the nicer parts?

Derek

[Californiaguy2007]

Yup Kern County has been a hotspot for Distribution Centers...I heard the Amazon Distribution Center could open up before the end of 2019 and the Walmart Distribution Center sometime around 2020.

Originally Posted by JB316

I saw that the last time I was there and yes, they are making great progress with it, I’m wondering when it will be complete.

The Amazon center is a huge deal, 2000 jobs. After that, Walmart announced another 300 job distribution center to be built in Shafter (easy commute). Apparently that distribution center is supposed to be a special high tech one that will be the first of its kind.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bak...162d0.amp.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bak...00bdc.amp.html

[Californiaguy2007]

The outskirts are barren and dry,especially when your heading towards the foothills,but yup those pics you posted show some of the nice green neighborhoods around town..Yup the mountain views are beautiful...Bear Mountain,Mount Breckenridge and Mount Pinos are the 3 Prominent Peaks that can be seen all around Bakersfield on a clear day and it looks awesome when it's snow-capped

Originally Posted by Count David

I've never seen anything like the picture you just posted. And yeah, I've seen plenty of the inner city of Bako, and yes, parts can be pretty gross.

But:

https://goo.gl/maps/5NLxbWqcdhv
https://goo.gl/maps/5jJh9afdgJR2
https://goo.gl/maps/PisVrxVgpxv
https://goo.gl/maps/Dert4Gnc3eE2

Coming westbound from Tehachapi on CA-58, the golden hills as you descend....beautiful.

And heading east out of Arvin towards Bear Mountain, still one of the most beautiful drives I have ever done. NOTE: This is the nicest comment that will ever reference Arvin.

And of course Kernville, the rest of the KRV, beautiful in its own way.

[Bill the Butcher]

Originally Posted by Count David

I've never seen anything like the picture you just posted. And yeah, I've seen plenty of the inner city of Bako, and yes, parts can be pretty gross.

It’s the Kern River oilfield. North East Bakersfield as another poster mentioned.

Bakersfield has the usual urban attractions like River Walk Park and Bike Bath, Hart Park, Calm Zoo etc.

The more natural ones outside the city limits would be the Kern River and Kern River Valley, Wind Wolves Preserve, Mt.Pinos recreational area.

[ryanst530]

^ Wind Wolves preserve is spectacular, and largely under the radar. Most people have never even heard of it. Some of the most scenic hiking in all of California around that area, IMO, especially during spring time.

[MtnSurfer]

Thanks for posting the pics, guys. Yeah, I drove down from the foothills east of town by that dried out area and it was pretty ugly looking. I couldn't tell if all those oil fields were active. Some looked like rusty old relics just waiting to fall over. But I had never seen so many miles of them before. There were some refineries in there as well. They've got Oil City, Oildale, Oil Junction and then more to west near of town near Refinery Ave. I'm sure other locations like towns in TX have their fare share or even more. Do you know if oil is still big business in Bakersfield?

The pics of city neighborhoods posted actually looked really nice. They ones Count David posted had some nice fall colors with those trees. I've been to Arvin and its actually a real hot spot for nature photographer wanting to take photos of the wildflower blooms in spring time. With all this rain it will probably be fantastic this year.









Derek