help in Bakersfield (Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento: agriculture, condo, housing)

[puffle]

For those of you who are from Bakersfield, I apologize in advance if I offend you by this post, but I am from a beautiful town in Ventura County with clean air, mountains,close to the ocean and great shopping close by. What is there to do in Bakersfield during the summer in 100+ temps other than swim and see a movie? There is only one, yes one, decent mall in town that has not changed in many, many years and only has a Macys and Gottshawks. The beach is a 1 1/2 hour drive, then there is Kern City? not interested in Tehachapi or the outdoor museum (been there, done that) I really want to enjoy my stay here and I must say that the people here are very nice and friendly which is a welcome change from the hoitey toitey area I am from. I am staying at my sister in laws in the SW area near the Riverwalk Park and am bored senseless. I also have a teenage son that doesn't know anyone which applies to me too. I am not going to a church or temple to make friends, so please don't suggest it. Anyone else from the L.A. Ventura area that have moved here and has assimilated well? Newcomer Clubs? Any interesting and cultural happenings I should know about?? Thank you in advance and again, my apology if I offended anyone which is not my intent.

[NDA]

There is nothing to do there, but eat. I think the lower cost of living is enough to keep people satisfied. P.F. Chang's, California Kitchen, AppleBee's. People don't do much in the day because it's too hot.

People visit each other there. That is all. Once you meet people, visiting them will be the highlights of what the city offers. There is a lot of activity north of Rosedale -strip mall. There is also a bit of activity where the AppleBee's on Ming is located. These are stripmalls but its the most exiciting part of Bakersfield.

Bakersfield State is full of people, but its so hot I don't know if I'd want to go there.

You probably want to get a mate quick and join the couple scene- otherwise you will die of boredom, and enjoy the get togethers people have at their home.

[Caliguy2007]

Bakersfield has alot of Nice Parks to go for Walks or Picnics and their is even a Bike Path if you enjoy Biking.

Their is also Lake Buena Vista,Lake Ming,Lake Isabella and Lake Success if you enjoy Boating,Fishing,Swimming,etc.

The Mountains are also nearby if you enjoy Hiking,Camping,Fishing,Hunting,etc.

Originally Posted by puffle

For those of you who are from Bakersfield, I apologize in advance if I offend you by this post, but I am from a beautiful town in Ventura County with clean air, mountains,close to the ocean and great shopping close by. What is there to do in Bakersfield during the summer in 100+ temps other than swim and see a movie? There is only one, yes one, decent mall in town that has not changed in many, many years and only has a Macys and Gottshawks. The beach is a 1 1/2 hour drive, then there is Kern City? not interested in Tehachapi or the outdoor museum (been there, done that) I really want to enjoy my stay here and I must say that the people here are very nice and friendly which is a welcome change from the hoitey toitey area I am from. I am staying at my sister in laws in the SW area near the Riverwalk Park and am bored senseless. I also have a teenage son that doesn't know anyone which applies to me too. I am not going to a church or temple to make friends, so please don't suggest it. Anyone else from the L.A. Ventura area that have moved here and has assimilated well? Newcomer Clubs? Any interesting and cultural happenings I should know about?? Thank you in advance and again, my apology if I offended anyone which is not my intent.

[NDA]

The undercurrents in the area rivers and lakes are extremely strong. Drownings are extremely common and warning signs are posted everywhere. Life jackets provide little help. Its so bad their fire dept has water rescue teams. Be cautious.

Bakersfield is a major change of pace, outdoor activities abound as the other poster mentioned. You can go to Tehachipi and pick fruit, horse back riding and then eat.

[jdavid93225]

Which museum did you visit? The two major ones that I am aware of are both outdoors, for the most part. One of them is the California Living Museum, also known as CALM. It is out near Ming Lake, along Alfred Harrell Highway. The other is the Kern County Museum, on Chester Avenue, which has a large selection of historic buildings located in an outdoor, park like setting. In addition, it also has some indoor exhibits that are interesting. One of those is specifically about the oil industry in Kern County. Another is the Lori Brock Children's exhibit, which was designed for young children. My kids loved spending time there when they were between about five years old and about twelve years old. I haven't been back there in a couple years, so I can't say if they'd like it now that they're a little older. There's one other exhibit hall that is used for a variety of exhibits, that change from time to time. Quite often, these exhibits are very interesting and have a lot of information about a particular industry related to the Kern County area. I've seen exhibits there about the music industry, agriculture, and also wildlife, just to name a few.

For other things to do, the other posters have already mentioned that the area is ripe with opportunities for outdoor recreation. Besides the nearby lakes and rivers for fishing, water skiing, boating, and so on, there are also plenty of hiking and exploring opportunities in the nearby mountains. It was also mentioned that there is the Kern River Bike Path that follows the riverbed across town. This year is not a good year to have water in the river, but many other years there has been, at least for a portion of the year. This makes a pleasant area for a bike ride.

Another advantage to being in Bakersfield is that you're centrally located to other parts of California. The National Parks of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon are just a few hours away. The cities of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, and Sacramento are just a few hours away, and each has something different to offer in the way of recreation.

The Kern County Fairgrounds provide several opportunities throughout the year for things to do, too. Of course, there's the Kern County Fair, but there are also lots of shows and activities there to participate in. I've been to home shows, outdoor recreation shows, model train shows, gun shows, and who knows what else there. If you keep your eye on the fairgrounds, you may see some shows there that catch your interest.

Something else that comes to mind is the racing scene. Not far from Bakersfield, is the Famosa dragstrip, for those that like that sort of thing. There's also Bakersfield Speedway, a short dirt track for stock car racing, and that type of thing. Until 2005, there was Mesa Marin Raceway, which was a half mile oval racetrack that provided quite a few NASCAR races in its time, along with a number of other shows over the years. There were Monster Truck shows, Motorcycle performances, and concerts, to name a few. There is a new track under construction for future stock car races, drag races, and other activities, too, I'm sure. It should be completed sometime next year.

Another thing to keep your eye on is the Rabobank arena and the Bakersfield Convention Center. There are sporting events, concerts, seminars, and conventions regularly at these places. The Condors hockey games are a lot of fun during the hockey season. There are football and basketball games, too. If you like Baseball, there's the Sam Lynn Ballpark on Chester, near the Kern County Museum.

There are also several places to go for entertainment, often including a meal. There's John's Incredible Pizza Co. for the Pizza, an arcade, go kart racing, and other amusements. If you don't want pizza, there's Camelot Park that offers Miniature Golf, Paddle Boats, Go Karts, Batting Cages, and an arcade. Buck Owens Crystal Palace offers excellent food and entertainment (usually live country music) most nights of the week and a great Sunday Brunch. I don't know about now, but several years ago, Trout's bar on Chester used to have good, live, country music. Sometimes there are concerts in the local parks. I've been to one at Beach Park a few years ago. There's also the Marketplace on Ming Ave. that sometimes has special events.

It's funny, I've spent a lot of time in Bakersfield, and can not really ever remember being bored there. I hope that the things I've listed help to at least give you an idea of the many things there are to do in Bakersfield. I've done many of these things and have almost always enjoyed them.

[puffle]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Unfortunetly, I am not really an outdoorsy kind of girl especially in the heat of Bakersfield. I appreciate that Bakersfield has outdoor activities, etc. Have been to museums here but just doesn't feel the same as Los Angeles County Museums or M.O.C.A. We are pretty low on funds at the moment which is why we are here, so paying for entertainment is out for now except for a movie now and then.
We lived here for a year back in 2002 just when the housing boom really started taking off but I just remember hibernating or going where there was air conditioning because it was sooooo hot! I do much better in colder climates...it invigorates me where the heat here drains me. Guess it is the pool,movies,mall or drives to Ventura and Cambria to escape the heat without spending much money. Thanks again for the suggestions and I am glad to know there is much to do, especially if you are on outdoor person with a high tolerance for heat.

[PugLuv1]

I'm thinking about moving from Arizona to Bakersfield in about 4 months. I notice you said it get's really hot there. Well the heat in Arizona i just can't take, so hopefully it doens't get as hot as Arizona. Also i notice you said it's boring in Bakersfield which is okay with me as long as i have place to go out to eat and a few things to do.

Thanks

[Caliguy2007]

I also never get bored whenever i'm in Bakersfield,and what's nice about Bakersfield is that something new always opens every year.

Originally Posted by jdavid93225

Which museum did you visit? The two major ones that I am aware of are both outdoors, for the most part. One of them is the California Living Museum, also known as CALM. It is out near Ming Lake, along Alfred Harrell Highway. The other is the Kern County Museum, on Chester Avenue, which has a large selection of historic buildings located in an outdoor, park like setting. In addition, it also has some indoor exhibits that are interesting. One of those is specifically about the oil industry in Kern County. Another is the Lori Brock Children's exhibit, which was designed for young children. My kids loved spending time there when they were between about five years old and about twelve years old. I haven't been back there in a couple years, so I can't say if they'd like it now that they're a little older. There's one other exhibit hall that is used for a variety of exhibits, that change from time to time. Quite often, these exhibits are very interesting and have a lot of information about a particular industry related to the Kern County area. I've seen exhibits there about the music industry, agriculture, and also wildlife, just to name a few.

For other things to do, the other posters have already mentioned that the area is ripe with opportunities for outdoor recreation. Besides the nearby lakes and rivers for fishing, water skiing, boating, and so on, there are also plenty of hiking and exploring opportunities in the nearby mountains. It was also mentioned that there is the Kern River Bike Path that follows the riverbed across town. This year is not a good year to have water in the river, but many other years there has been, at least for a portion of the year. This makes a pleasant area for a bike ride.

Another advantage to being in Bakersfield is that you're centrally located to other parts of California. The National Parks of Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon are just a few hours away. The cities of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, and Sacramento are just a few hours away, and each has something different to offer in the way of recreation.

The Kern County Fairgrounds provide several opportunities throughout the year for things to do, too. Of course, there's the Kern County Fair, but there are also lots of shows and activities there to participate in. I've been to home shows, outdoor recreation shows, model train shows, gun shows, and who knows what else there. If you keep your eye on the fairgrounds, you may see some shows there that catch your interest.

Something else that comes to mind is the racing scene. Not far from Bakersfield, is the Famosa dragstrip, for those that like that sort of thing. There's also Bakersfield Speedway, a short dirt track for stock car racing, and that type of thing. Until 2005, there was Mesa Marin Raceway, which was a half mile oval racetrack that provided quite a few NASCAR races in its time, along with a number of other shows over the years. There were Monster Truck shows, Motorcycle performances, and concerts, to name a few. There is a new track under construction for future stock car races, drag races, and other activities, too, I'm sure. It should be completed sometime next year.

Another thing to keep your eye on is the Rabobank arena and the Bakersfield Convention Center. There are sporting events, concerts, seminars, and conventions regularly at these places. The Condors hockey games are a lot of fun during the hockey season. There are football and basketball games, too. If you like Baseball, there's the Sam Lynn Ballpark on Chester, near the Kern County Museum.

There are also several places to go for entertainment, often including a meal. There's John's Incredible Pizza Co. for the Pizza, an arcade, go kart racing, and other amusements. If you don't want pizza, there's Camelot Park that offers Miniature Golf, Paddle Boats, Go Karts, Batting Cages, and an arcade. Buck Owens Crystal Palace offers excellent food and entertainment (usually live country music) most nights of the week and a great Sunday Brunch. I don't know about now, but several years ago, Trout's bar on Chester used to have good, live, country music. Sometimes there are concerts in the local parks. I've been to one at Beach Park a few years ago. There's also the Marketplace on Ming Ave. that sometimes has special events.

It's funny, I've spent a lot of time in Bakersfield, and can not really ever remember being bored there. I hope that the things I've listed help to at least give you an idea of the many things there are to do in Bakersfield. I've done many of these things and have almost always enjoyed them.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Originally Posted by PugLuv1

I'm thinking about moving from Arizona to Bakersfield in about 4 months. I notice you said it get's really hot there. Well the heat in Arizona i just can't take, so hopefully it doens't get as hot as Arizona. Also i notice you said it's boring in Bakersfield which is okay with me as long as i have place to go out to eat and a few things to do.

Thanks

It does get as hot as Arizona. I lived there for 4 years. If you don't like heat over 100 degrees, you won't like Bakersfield. Check out weather.com and plug in 93312 zip code. The best thing to beat the heat is to have access to a pool... that is the only way people come out during the day. Our family neighborhood looked like a ghost town during the day and then at dusk the kids would come out to play.

[FresnoMommies]

When coming back to Fresno from out of town, we always stop at Hodel's in Bakersfield. Good, good food.