Bakersfield offers historic buildings, vibrant art and culture, authentic cuisine, outdoor activities, lively nightlife, and family fun. Enjoy the attractions and explore this wonderful city through this 48-hours itinerary-
Image by Robert Hale via Wikimedia Commons
Day 1- Explore Bakersfield!
Breakfast at 9:00am!
Kick start your day with the traditional Basque fare at Narducci’s Cafe. This spot serves up delicious Italian, Basque food, steaks, pastas, sandwiches and chops.
Address: 622 E 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305, United States
Phone: 1 661-324-2961
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-9:00pm
Immerse yourself in Art at 10:00am!
Explore the art at the Bakersfield Museum of Art that features a permanent collection from well-known regional and international artists, and many traveling exhibits. Peruse the great collection of artwork, paintings, sculptures and photographs spanning several centuries at this spot!
Address: 1930 R St, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-323-7219
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Distance from Narducci’s Cafe: 1.0miles or 4minutes drive
Explore history at 12:00pm!
Head over to the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History that features the largest, rarest and oldest collection of fossils from the Miocene era, and Native American artifacts. The museum also hosts seasonal camps for kids and conducts lectures on earth science topics, such as paleontology, geology and archaeology.
Address: 2018 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-324-6350
Opening hours: Thursday to Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-4:00pm
Distance from Bakersfield Museum of Art: 0.6miles or 3minutes drive
Refuel your body at 1:00pm!
Indulge in American fare at the Tina Marie’s Cafe (2000 Chester Avenue), or in Asian and Thai cuisines at the Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar (1534 19th St Suite 100). Head over to the Enso Japanese Bar (1419 19th Street) that serves up delicious Japanese fare, or to the Muertos Kitchen & Lounge (1514 Wall St) for Mexican food.
Walk through history at 2:00pm!
Learn about the city’s past at the Kern County Museum. The museum features a combination of Native American, railroad, mining and agriculture exhibits, all associated to the history of Kern County and Bakersfield. Take an interactive tour of the historic village, fifty-seven historic structures dating back to the 1800s that chronicle the development of the city and Kern County, and check out the hands-on oil exhibition- Black Gold: The Oil Experience.
Address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-437-3330
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Learning is fun at 3:00pm!
Head over for an edutainment session to the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Museum. It is an interactive kid’s museum with several interactive exhibits, historic tours, science camps, Mad Science lab, and several other learning programs.
Address: 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-852-5050
Distance from Kern County Museum: 0.5miles or 2minutes drive
Go Shopping at 4:00pm!
For antiques and collectibles shopping, head over to the Five & Dime Antique Mall (1400 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States). This spot offers a smorgasbord of deals on antiques, house wares, clothes, jewelry, and other things.
Fill your shopping bags with the brands you love at the Valley Plaza (2701 Ming Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304, United States). It features brands, such as Bebe, Banana Republic, Coach, Sephora, Swarovski, Michael Kors, and many more.
Sweet Treats at 6:00pm!
Visit Dewar’s, a popular dessert shop in Bakersfield that has been featured on the Food Network and the Red Carpet at the Oscars. Relish the handmade candy and sublime ice cream. Do taste the peanut-butter chews. Get your fav ice-cream at this spot!
Address: 1120 Eye Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304, United States
Phone: 1 661-322-0933
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-9:00pm
Distance from Five & Dime Antique Mall: 0.9miles or 4minutes drive
Explore the Bakersfield Sound at 7:00pm!
Head over to the Buck Owens' Crystal Palace that features Buck Owens music memorabilia. It is an all-in-one museum, restaurant and music spot that oozes history, Buck Owens’ legacy, and sounds of country music. Check out the country music memorabilia, such as photographs, guitars, and other items of Buck Owens’ collection. Many great music concerts are held at this palace. Catch a live show, sing with the world-famous artists and dance. Celebrate the life of the famous legendary resident of the city!
Address: 2800 Buck Owens Blvd, Bakersfield, CA 93308, United States
Phone: 1 661-328-7560
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 11:00am-10:00pm; Friday & Saturday: 11:00am-12:00pm; Sunday: 9:30am-2:30pm
Distance from Dewar’s: 2.5miles or 6minutes drive
Dinner at 9:00pm!
Head over to the Hungry Hunter Steakhouse (3580 Rosedale Highway) that serves the best seafood, steak and prime ribs, or go to Original Hacienda Grill (2600 Buck Owens Blvd) for Mexican fare. Visit the Denny’s (2627 Buck Owens Blvd) for American comfort food. Indulge in traditional Basque cuisine at the Benji’s French Basque Restaurant (4001 Rosedale Hwy).
Dance, drinks and music in “Country Music Capital of the West Coast” at 10:00pm!
Dance all night long on the greatest sounds while sipping martinis at Martini’s Feel Good Lounge (820 Real Rd., Bakersfield, CA 93309, United States). Or Get your groove on and sip a few drinks at Casablanca Nightclub (1825 N Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States). To have a low key nightlife, head over to the VIP Lounge (5460 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93309, United States). Catch up with old friends over drinks and music at this nightspot.
Day 2- Outdoor Fun in Bakersfield!
Breakfast at 9:00am!
Kick start your day with a scrumptious breakfast at the 24th Street Cafe. It serves up mouthwatering traditional dishes, such as chicken-fried steak, pancakes, eggs Benedict, burgers, biscuits, and more classic dishes.
Address: 1415 24th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-323-8801
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00am-2:30pm
Outdoor Fun at 10:00am!
Head over to Lake Ming, which is a man-made recreational lake. Enjoy outdoor recreation, such as water skiing, windsurfing, boating, sailing and fishing at this spot. It also has a playground and picnic space. Take in the beautiful views of the city from the hilltop picnic area.
Get face to face with animals at 1:00pm!
Head over to the California Living Museum that features exhibits of native animals and plants. Check out the reptile house, mountain lions, cat’s exhibits, aquarium, beer exhibit, golden eagles, desert habitats, raptor exhibit, and more at this museum.
Address: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield-93306, CA
Phone: (661) 872-2256
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Distance from Lake Ming: 1.8miles or 4minutes drive
Out to Lunch at 2:00pm!
Head over to the Peking Palace (5600 Auburn Oaks Dr # K) that serves Chinese fare, or go to Red Pepper Restaurant (2641 Oswell Street) that serves up delicious Mexican food. For American cuisine, go to Marie Callender's Restaurant & Bakery (2631 Oswell Street).
Go Shopping at 4:00pm!
Head over to the East Hills Mall (3000 Mall View Rd #1178, Bakersfield, CA 93306, United States) that features several specialty shops, restaurants and a movie theatre. Whether you’re looking for home decor, apparel, jewelry, kids store or gift shop, this spot has it all
Shop for antiques and collectibles at Central Park Antique Mall (701 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States).
Catch a show at 6:00pm!
Catch a performance, live act or concert at the Fox Theatre. Enjoy acoustics, performing arts stage, music show, comedy show, and modern movie theatre that feature performances by great artists at this spot. Check the event schedule on it’s official website.
Address: 2001 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-324-1369
Taste of Italy at 8:00pm!
It’s dinner time! Head over to the Uricchio’s Trattoria that serves up delicious Italian fare. Relish the classic Italian dishes at this spot!
Address: 1400 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
Phone: 1 661-326-8870
Opening hours: Lunch hours-Monday to Friday: 11:00am-2:00pm; Dinner hours: Monday to Thursday: 5:00pm-9:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Distance from Fox Theatre: 0.4miles or 3minutes drive
Go Dancing and Drinking at 10:00pm!
Head over to the Trout’s Nightclub that offers live acts, karaoke, mechanical bull and line dancing. Kick up your heels to the great line-up of music stretching across the genres, sing karaoke, and treat yourself with a drink at the Trout’s!
Address: 805 North Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308, United States
Phone: 1 661-399-6700
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00am -2:00am
Distance from Uricchio’s Trattoria: 3.0miles or 9minutes drive
Bakersfield Day 2 Tour Map Guide
