15 Top-Rated Things to Do in Bakersfield, CA

Written by Brad Lane Updated Mar 6, 2023Bakersfield is located in Kern County at the southern end of California's Central Valley. It's a city built upon a rich history of oil, agriculture, and country music. Much of this history combines with modern attractions today, including an emerging art and culture scene fueled by a creative community. This and a rich cultural history make Bakersfield The Country Music Capital of the West Coast.The soundtrack for visiting would have to be the Bakersfield Sound, a sub-genre of country music popularized in the 50s and 60s by local musicians like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Visitors today experience the Bakersfield Sound at places like Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and the Kern County Museum, where visitors walk through Merle Haggard's childhood home.Bakersfield is also a gateway to the great outdoors. The mighty Kern River passes right through the city, paralleled by the pedestrian-only Kern River Parkway Trail. This paved path connects other sceni...