Family vacation ideas in Bakersfield (Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo: house, condo, rent)

[anagrig]

We will be spending July and August in Bakersfield , and would like to know some exciting places to visit in or close to the city. Our children are 9 and 12. What would be the best public library, best community pool, best park in the city.Any fairs, festivals? Also, are there any lakes, forests, other attractions whithin an hour drive? I don't want to spend too much on gas, but on the other hand, want to see as much as possible there before returning to Massachusetts.
Thanks for any ideas!

[missionhome]

Are you visiting family? Bakersfield isn't much of a vacation destination and it is going to be really hot during those months. Temperatures could easily be over 100 degrees. Lake Isabella is nearby if you want to go for a swim. That might be fun. You can rent boats at a marina at the lake and do some water skiing and stuff. I don't know what else there is to do. Bakersfield has always seemed sort of sleepy to me, but I'm sure others know more.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by anagrig

We will be spending July and August in Bakersfield , and would like to know some exciting places to visit in or close to the city. Our children are 9 and 12. What would be the best public library, best community pool, best park in the city.Any fairs, festivals? Also, are there any lakes, forests, other attractions whithin an hour drive? I don't want to spend too much on gas, but on the other hand, want to see as much as possible there before returning to Massachusetts.
Thanks for any ideas!

Well, there's the Beale Library on Truxtun but sometimes there are homeless people in there because it's a public library. But they have a nice children's section right up front. As far as pools, the McMurtrey Aquatic Center (it's big enough to get a Wiki page: McMurtrey Aquatic Center - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) is always a good bet (this is located practically across the street from Beale Library on Truxtun). There are several nice parks in Bakersfield. One that comes to mind is Hart Park, it's down below the Bluffs and there are several play areas, several small lakes, and you can feed the ducks and geese if you want. Also, not too far from Hart Park on Alfred Harrell Hwy. is C.A.L.M., also known as the California Living Museum. It is basically a small zoo with animals native to California. Another nice park that just opened last year is the Park at River Walks. It has a nice lake and there are sometimes bands and fun things going on there on the weekends. Santa Barbara is only about an hour and forty-five minutes south and San Luis Obispo is only about two hours west. I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff so I'll post it later when I remember.

[Lake Conroe resident]

[quote=anagrig;3514315]We will be spending July and August in Bakersfield ,

My condolences to you...

[Charles]

Go rafting down the Kern River. You need to drive to Kernville on the north side of Lake Isabella. There is an outfit on the south side of Kernville Road about 100 feet west of Sierra Way.

raft OR rafting - Google Maps

[Caliguy2007]

I hope you and your family enjoy your time here in Kern County

Discover Kern County: Home

Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau ~ Your Online Resource to Bakersfield California

Rabobank Arena Theater & Convention Center

Bakersfield Ice Sports

Bakersfield Swim, City of Bakersfield

BakersfieldAmphitheatre.us - bright house Networks Amphitheatre

Originally Posted by anagrig

We will be spending July and August in Bakersfield , and would like to know some exciting places to visit in or close to the city. Our children are 9 and 12. What would be the best public library, best community pool, best park in the city.Any fairs, festivals? Also, are there any lakes, forests, other attractions whithin an hour drive? I don't want to spend too much on gas, but on the other hand, want to see as much as possible there before returning to Massachusetts.
Thanks for any ideas!

[Capt. Dan]

I second Charles' suggestion about the Kern River. Wonderful place to raft or trout fish

[anagrig]

Thanks Missionhome.
Yes, we'll be visiting my husband who's there since January for a year work-contract.
He doesn't really know much about the place himself, and anyways he'll be working most of the time... so I just want the kids to do some exciting things while away from home.
I'll check out that lake you mentioned. Sounds good!

[anagrig]

Wow, thanks guys for such prompt response! I'll check it all out. Rafting sounds exciting though I've never done it before. Would we need to buy our own raft or there are places to rent? Where we live in MA is also a rather sleepy city, so what you've got there sounds pretty good to me! Plus, we are so tired of our long winters, that we won't complain about the heat (i guess since it's dry heat, it should stay nice in the shade?)

Also, does anyone know about possibly any existing Bakersfield mom's blogs, or group activities?.. it's going to be hard for the girls to be for two months in a completely new place with no one to play with..
Thanks again!

[anagrig]

Caliguy 2007, That's great help! Thanks !