Welcome to Bakersfield! While I have heard the occasional joke of the Bakersfield sign, I can't…read morehelp but take a moment of awe every time I drive by. I filmed some content including the sign recently, and it was really a fun time. I appreciate that the Buck Owen's old time western motif is still up despite having shut down. I am glad I took the time to soak it in and reflect on good times had.

I visit Bakersfield a few times a year, and for some reason, I always find myself drawn to the…read moreiconic Bakersfield sign. Maybe it's my way of saying, "I'm here" but whatever the reason, it never disappoints. The sign is massive, bold, and hard to miss. At night, it truly comes alive, lit up in bright, beautiful colors that give the whole area a pop of character. It's a surprisingly charming spot in this little town, and definitely worth checking out if you're passing through or just want a cool photo op. Bakersfield's got a gem here!

Bakersfield has a pretty extensive Chinese history. A lot of which has likely been spun into myths…read moreand legends, but the vast majority of which is true. Chinatown (the center of which is currently actually names China Alley) was home to a vibrant Chinese culture. While there were tales of hidden underground tunnels (whether this be for illegal gaming and alcohol running, or actually an easier way to get round we'll never know) but the alley itself was actually placed in the Bakersfield Register of Historic Places in 1992. The plaque can be found here.

I've always wanted to go inside of a Forest Service Fire Lookout, just to check out the view. A few…read moreyears ago I learned that you could actually rent them out and spend the night, like a hotel room but they always seem to be booked way in advance so I've never had the opportunity. Last week I found myself browsing the Recreation.Gov webpage, and came across the Oak Flat Lookout, which is less than an hour northeast of downtown Bakersfield. I happened to come across a vacancy mid last week and immediately booked it for $75. I spent the next several days excitedly reading about the place online, and looking at pictures others have taken up there. My fiancée and I set out for the site last Tuesday afternoon in my '87 4Runner loaded with supplies, beer and food. Rancheria Road north of SR178 turns to gravel about 5 miles in, and there was another 10 miles or so until we found the trail to go up to the lookout, which was secured with a locked gate. I had received the combination via email when I paid for my reservation and got right in, securing the gate behind me. There was another mile or so up a fairly steep and unimproved trail before we rounded a bend and bam! There it was. The Call Fire burning about 25 miles southeast of the lookout made for a hazy sky, but the view was nevertheless outstanding from 4,920 feet. We climbed the 40 stairs thirty feet above ground level, opened the trap door and emerged onto the catwalk to find an impeccable 360 degree view of the entire mountain range and east Bakersfield. We were pleasantly surprised to find the tower and surrounding campsite (and outhouse) in good condition. It was mostly clean, save for a bit of a stench coming from inside the tower. This was especially surprising considering there's really no one that goes up to the tower regularly to maintain it. You are basically relying on the last guest to have cleaned up after themselves. While there is no water or electricity as the site, there is a propane powered stove, heater, and lantern as well as several flashlights and LED lanterns in the tower, as well as two fairly comfortable and clean twin sized beds. There's also a firepit, bench, and picnic table on site. There's also phone service (T-Mobile) on the south side of the tower. We spent the evening preparing dinner, drinking wine and beer, and listening to music before we headed down to make S'mores before bed. All in all this was an awesome, and unique experience. I recommend it to anyone in the mood for something different on their next camping trip.

Pros - Views are awesome. Nice getaway. There's a fire pit, a picnic table and a bathroom. The…read moreactual lookout also has 2 beds, a sink and a stove. The stove is really easy to use. Packing tips: sheets for the beds, covers for the pillow cases, sandals to walk around in, water for drinking, water for washing dishes/hands/etc, food (can of soup, snacks, etc), toiletries, warm clothing (gets cold at night), bug spray for spiders and earwigs, paper toilet, paper towels Price: $75/night Note: No electricity and no running water Cons - Spiders and earwigs! In our first 6 hours we had already killed over 10 earwigs and 2 spiders. It also wasn't very clean - dusty and dirty. For $75/night they could do a better job at cleaning up.

You know you've made it in life when they name a town after you AND build a larger than life…read morestatue. Goodness knows Colonel Baker deserves it. As California Landmark #382 and dedicated in 1942, the Colonel Baker Monument stands proudly at the City of Bakersfield building on Truxtun Avenue. His motto - "Time will justify a man who means to do right" is also on the monument. A great testament to a man we owe our heritage to.

Long ago in this land we knoe , there were two Colonels, one was a Baker, the other a Sanders…read more While one Colonel was dedicated to creating a magic mix of 11 herbs and spices , the other Colonel was focused on the task of building the greatest city in America. During the great Degree Years , many bakers came into the field, Sanders moved south while Baker(s) stayed in the Field , hence Bakersfield ! We celebrate the Colonel that didn't leave with a statue, he is dressed in men's casuals ordered from the Mervins catalog. Rumor has it that Baker comes to life during lunar eclipses for which time he is known to be a very good monopoly player.

I must admit, I was previously unaware of this hidden gem in Bakersfield, but now I recognize the…read morevalue in sharing its beauty with others and inspiring a sense of community pride. This art gallery serves as a beacon of gratitude, honoring our county's veterans for their unwavering commitment and unparalleled heroism. It was a profoundly emotional experience to witness their contributions being recognized and their sacrifices being remembered in such a powerful way. We remember and honor the ultimate sacrifice of Richmond Brian, a true patriot and hero, who embodied the highest ideals of service and sacrifice. Thank you Portrait Of A Warrior Gallery for all you do.

The people here are great. The portraits are beautifully done. We took a short tour and the docent…read morewas very knowledgeable of the different veterans. The layout is beautiful. You will be moved by the descriptions of these brave soldiers.

So much cool history here. Especially for country fans. We've been coming here for over 25 years…read more The entertainment, food & drinks are always stellar. The service is always great. It's family friendly & also adult friendly. There's something here for everyone to enjoy. Especially all the historical memorabilia throughout.

Fun venue for country music Good food, service and…read moreatmosphere with a great collection of memorabilia

I have lived in the valley all my life and I had never been to CALM during their holiday light…read moreexperience (or otherwise). Thanks to Yelp and Garrett, I was able to see all the beautiful Christmas lights. Over 3 million lights are on display. We went on Tuesday at approximately 6:30 pm. We drove right in (warning: the drive into CALM is a service entrance that's a bit rough and dark (some road erosion and some potholes)). We had good parking (all parking is free). Due to the cold weather, we bundled up and literally walked right in. Oh my gosh!! Everything was so beautiful and every staff member was super friendly and helpful. Here are some musts: 1. Picture with Santa (using your personal phone/camera) 2. Train ride (Candy Cane Lane). Train ride takes you through a western town 3. Take your time strolling through and make the most of your experience 4. Dress warmly and wear comfy shoes 5. Support Teen Challenge booths. We purchased some yummy kettle corn, hot chocolate and coffee 6. Make sure your phone is fully charged Based on my conversations with CALM staff, the closer we get to Christmas, the busier it will be. Mid-week is a perfect time to visit to avoid large crowds. I highly recommend the holiday lights at CALM and look forward to making this an annual tradition.

Been coming to CALM Holiday Lights for well over a decade and always such a special visit to have…read morememories! Went yesterday evening and the lights were stunning and loved the Tree light show! All the employees and staff were incredibly kind and helpful! Lots of photo op's and a cute photo op with Santa and his sleigh! The Candy Cane Train is a must and I love the lights and decorations set up for this attraction! Great for families or a date night! Recommend the kettle popcorn and hot cocoa from Teen Challenge!

Yikes, this is an expensive tour but it is a rarity to see a period house with most of the original…read moreoccupants furnishings etc. The tours are docent led and very informative. If you like these types of tours, this one is quite worth it.

I came here for an event today so really my review is tailored more towards the events that Casa is…read moreholding but also to acknowledge the fabulous grounds and building though I admit I don't have full context for the history or background. I would definitely come back here to learn about the house and to take the guided tour. This wasn't the purpose for me coming today but the gentleman who works here noted that it's a great tour and I know friends who have enjoyed learning about the family and the history of the house, getting a deeper dive of information. I came here with some friends for their first hosted event Sound Bath. A wellness day if you will. From start to finish everything was very organized and thoughtful. The staff hosting the event and the spiritual wellness guide and sound healer was wonderful. Everyone was nice and you felt welcomed. Not pretentious and just very positive and good vibes. We had a nice group and everyone was respectful and on time for the sound bath so it went off without issue. It was a relaxing experience and the grounds were very nice to hold this outdoor event. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining, we found an area with shade, very nice. Very faint sounds of cars in the distance here and there which wasn't ideal but out of their control and once things settled in you really couldn't hear much external noise. After the relaxing sound bath we were offered tea and light pastry snacks. I opted for a water and began exploring the grounds instead of partaking in the refreshments. The grounds are lush and lovely, very zen. Loved the beautiful trees and walkways with small fountains and running water. It was green and pretty all around from the recent rains. Definitely a great location for events and to learn a little SB history. I will definitely do my research and come back again soon.

Great place to step down memory lane. Great food. We had…read morethe burgers and patty melt (which was late coming out, about 10 minutes after my burger) and I don't think we got the rye bread we were told it came on but rather sourdough? You judge in the picture. That says service was good and the food was good despite the questionable patty melt experience.

Stopped by for drinks and snack. Tonight was steak night and the dinners coming out of the kitchen…read morelooked solid if on the small side. The drinks were perfect not too heavy a pour while you know alcohol is there. There is a wide mix of clients from workers to older folks. This is dive bar with friendly staff.

The Hay Building has had quite the facelift in the 19th and 20th centuries. Between fires and…read moreearthquakes, she's been through a lot. The Hay Building is the OLDEST building in downtown Bakersfield to survive both the great fire of 1898 and the 1952 earthquake. She's like the unsinkable Molly Brown, if Molly Brown was a building. Originally constructed in Victorian architecture in 1893, it was built by the Dinkelspiel family of San Francisco who wanted to operate a general merch store on the ground level and boarding on the others. For some reason, five years later the Hay family purchased the building from the Dinkelspiel's and remodeled it in the Federalist architecture... which is kind of plain compared to the ornate Victorian structure. In 2010, The building was again remodeled to accomodate art galleries, retail businesses, and third-floor condos (which I'm not sure ever came to fruition).