Very peaceful and you can't beat the smell of fresh air . The kids enjoyed the playground.read more

Really enjoy this park very clean restrooms the park area is nice they have clean basketball…read morecourts, the play ground has a workout area but the play ground is for little kids probably out grown my kids. River area nice and calming

I've had great times at the Kern River Preserve. Lots to see and learn about. Very interesting…read more Sometimes, well before Covid anyway, people would come and they would have something going on at the preserve where other people would come and show what animals or plants, just anything that you could literally find at the preserve that they had ppl bring their stuff and teach us about different snakes that are Indigenous to this area and won't harm you, and which will. People have been here before and pointed out the difference in good plants, harmful plants, plants people have different not wonderful reactions to like stinging nettle and what it looks like. It's really interesting stuff. Call and find out if there are tours or if the trails are open for hiking due to covid, as maybe the trails are overgrown??? Some on the backside of the lake look very bad. I was given tours there when we were in jr college at Cerro Coso Community College in Lake Isabella (21 yrs ago). I've had them teach us things too when there's an event, so look for that. I don't know if anything's going on their since Covid? Ask them about the turkey vultures, and volunteer to count them if they're still doing that! That was a blast! Trina (Guerra) B.

Definitely a super hidden gem in the Kern River Valley…read more Kern River Preserve has always been on my list of places to visit and finally, over the summer, I had a chance to explore. Mind you, the heat can be somewhat unbearable in July. And in all likelihood Spring and Fall are the more common seasons. A little background of the Kern River Preserve. It's actually owned by the National Audubon Society. It's also located in one of the largest contiguous riparian forests in the stata at 3,000 acres. There is a small visitors center. I highly suggest calling before arriving to find out if there will be a docent or guide. Best times to visit are spring. You'll get the best of flora and fauna with blooming flowers and migratory birds. ' The Kern Audubon Society is a wealth of knowledge and happy to help with info.

A beautiful and historical place to see and walk. If you're luck you'll see obsidian, but cannot…read moretake out. Leave as is. Highly recommended.

+ Pleasant trail. Fascinating views of volcanic igneous rocks. They are black, and have various…read moresmooth, round, and porous shapes. . 3/4mi took 1/2hr. + Opportunity to get some scrambling in around the little canyon of vesicular basalt. . Note: the rocks may be smooth or slippery on the feet, yet they're easy to grip by hand. - No shade. + Free, plenty parking. -- Only 1 restroom by the trailhead. Not well maintained. Outta tp. Trash can full. Stinky. - No hand sanitizer or sink. Didn't see any fossils falling, despite the name. v_v loljk

Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the community - but Tehachapi holds a special place in my heart…read more It's also where my boyfriend works and occasionally I get to visit him. This park is not too far from his campus and is a great spot to stretch the legs and wander around. I love the tree carvings and lush old-growth landscaping. This is a great park to escape the heat and bring the kids to run around!

We spent many days at this park when my kids were young. My Moms group used to meet here so the…read morekids could play. Happy memories, all those kids are now grown and moved on to start their lives. This park was named after the founder of Tehachapi. It has the prettiest, tallest shade trees around. It has over 5 acres of grass, there is picnic tables, BBQ's, restrooms and a gazebo in the center of the park. You can rent the gazebo for $75.00 and a security deposit of $75.00. I have been to many parties in the park and the gazebo is really nice to set the food and gifts in. I personally know a couple people who were married in it. You can even rent out the full park for an event for $500 a day with a $1500 deposit. The playground is newly renovated and you always see happy kids running around. I have been here on multiple occasions and have seen kids in the late teens and young adults hanging out near the restrooms. They are definitely up to no good, We have seen small kids at the park themselves, I don't recommend that. This may be a small town but there is a drug problem and some of the people like to hang out here. So as long as the kids are supervised this is a nice place to spend some time. Many events are held here, Tehachapi Mountain festival, Tehachapi Old-timers Reunion, music in the park and also movies in the park. You can check with the Tehachapi Parks and Recreation for more information.

The best spot to relax in to watch the snow packed peaks in winter or Super Bloom near April…read more It's only a 10-15 min drive from the main road, just east of Highway 395 for access road next to Brady's Market aka Mobil Gas Station. Right turn off 395 South, left over divided Highway from 395 North...look for the giant billboard. Accessible in my common Nissan Rogue and PT Cruiser during light rain, but I parked at pipeline crossroads due to softer sand on the dirt path to the peaks. Amazing View with some R&R time.

Very beautiful hike especially in the super bloom. Lots of flowers and the view is incredible…read more Camped one time with a group overnight and it is extremely windy, be careful.

We Love the calmness and friendliness of the town. Beautiful view of the lake. We visit once a year…read moreand feel rejuvenated when we leave

Nice park area, shaded, close to the lakeshore. The County should invest more in this park to make…read moreit nice.

Great trip and escape from civilization. Be prepared for no phone reception. Lots of beautiful…read moretrees. Also had a chance to see how much damage was done from the fires. $12 for parking. You can pay using an envelope in a box and detaching part of the slip and putting it in your window or walk about one block down to the gift store and pay with debit. Gift store has water and snacks. Can be pretty populated during the weekend so you don't get a chance to absorb the full nature of quietness and peacefulness but still a great visit. Parking is fairly Limited.

It is a paved trail, technically a hike trail but mentally and physically not. Cool little trail…read morefor city people to learn about the sequoias and history of the trees. Please stay on the trail and pick up all your trash

My wife and I really enjoyed our visit here and our walk through the tunnel…read more The drive in from Highway 14 is tough if you have a standard, low, 2wheel drive car. I don't recommend it. I drive a 2 wheel drive Explorer that is a little higher and wider tires. It took 50 minutes of careful driving to get to the tunnel. No huge rocks or washouts but a lot of loose deep sand that requires your attention. Be prepared, drive the right car and don't let the drive in stop you from visiting. There are enough signs along the way, better to call the trail markers, so you won't get lost. I used Waze and it took out any guess work. Once at the tunnel the opening looks very small and many people think that it means you need to crawl through and won't go. But just go in 15 feet or so and you can stand up all the way and it is good. My wife was very concerned and didn't want to go in until she could see me standing fully upright once I got all the way inside. My wife carried a lantern with 360 light and I had a flashlight with a thinner beam for more distance. It was a perfect combination. When you are inside you can look back and see the light at entrance getting smaller but cannot see light at the far end. Don't worry, there is a 90 degree tun near the end that blocks your view of the exit but it is there. Deep inside it really does feel like an adventure. It's just spooky enough to make you feel like you accomplished something by getting all the way through. My wife was flat out scared but was determined and did it. There is a great view spot at the far end. We walked off to both sides of opening and loved the views. There was a couple coming the other way on our way through and it was kind of fun meeting nice people in such an otherworldly place. Inside the tunnel it does not smell, there was only the tiny amount of dust we kicked up with our feet and no wind. Eerily quiet. You can still see the ore cart tracks in a couple places and it really brings to mind the immense amount or labor and dedication, or possibly obsession, this man had to finish it. It's stunning to contemplate. Go and walk it but don't just walk it, take the time to appreciate this one man, hand dug, 38 year creation.

Always fun to go there with the kids lots of exploring to do here. A high clearance vehicles is…read moreneeded. Awesome place

This is a beautiful park for children and teens of all ages. There are basketball courts to lots…read moreof grass to play sports in. Newer play structures. It loses one star because there are no bathrooms.

If you're looking to camp and you don't want to drive too far from Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon…read moreState Park is a great option. They have several campgrounds which is first and first serve. There's also several hiking spots in the area, which are less than a mile. There's also a visitor center, which has a lot of information about the park and clean bathroom. Great spot for photos!

+ Interesting hiking spot. There isn't one defined trail at Ricardo Campground. Rather, it's more…read morelike a network of paths. Please come and create your own adventure. + The highlight of this hiking area is the badlands that resemble Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Lotta ridges and cliffs formed by millennia of erosion. . 2 restrooms by the trailhead. First hiking parking lot restrooms I've seen without roofs. Has its own pros and cons: + The stench doesn't condense in one room. - But no weather protection. + Easier to communicate for help in case of emergency. - Less privacy. Also, - Hot, dry climate. - No shade. + Nice that there are restrooms throughout the grounds, - but the water fountains aren't working. -- Have to pay $6 digitally to park there. Can't we just slip $6 in physical bills somewhere and call it a day? Better yet, make it $2 or free altogether? lol