kern county visitors guide 2010

Alta

Sierra

•A

rvin•

Bakersfield

•B

oron•

Buttonw

illow•

Caliente

•C

aliforniaC

ity•

Delano

•Frazier

Park•

IndianW

ells•

InyokernR

ands

burg

•R

idge

cres

t•

Ros

amon

d•

Sha

fter

•St

allio

nS

prin

gs•

Taft

•Te

hach

api

•W

asco

•W

eldo

n•

Wof

ford

Hei

ghts

• Keene • Kernville • Lake Isabella • Lake of the Woods • Lebec • Maricopa • McFarland • Mojave • Pine Mountain Club •

The Official 2010 Kern County Visitors’ Guide is published by theKern County Board of Trade and Bakersfield Life magazine.

Cover Art: Kern County Board of Trade

Photos provided by the Kern County Board of TradeAdditional photos provided by American Jousting Alliance, Bakersfield ArtsAssociation, Bakersfield Museum of Art, California Living Museum, California State Parks,Cowboy Memorial and Library, Exotic Feline Breeding Compound, Gaslight MelodramaTheater, Guy Jeans, Kern River Fly Fishing, Kern County Museum, Kern GovernmentTelevision, Kern River Outfitters, Mountain & River Adventures, Murray Family Farms, RankinRanch, Shafter Depot Museum, Skydive Taft, Tim Black, National Chavez Center, WarrenBeath, The Bakersfield Californian, Souza Family Vineyard, Huell Howser Productions, BuckOwens Productions, Rex Emerson, Pete Cassum, Admo-Tours.

Maps by Designmaps - Anthony McDemas

Auto Touring Drive through Kern County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Local Cuisine Tastes of Kern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Fishing Toss your line into “reel” adventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Skydiving Take a flying leap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Off-roading Getting down and dirty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Water Sports Wet and wild fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Winter Sports Let it snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

RV Parks Home away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Huell Howser History, wildlife, people make Kern “gold” . . . . .30

Birding Kern’s fine feathered friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Kern’s Legacy James Dean’s last ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Kiosks Cutting edge technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Maps

Kern County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Greater Bakersfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Downtown Bakersfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Southwest Kern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Northwest Kern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Kern River Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Tehachapi Mountains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Indian Wells Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Aerospace Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Golf Great golf abounds in Kern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Wine Country Magic in a bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Arts Scene Arts are alive and thriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Music Bakersfield Sound lives here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Wild West ‘Real’ Old West found in Kern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Museums A rich cultural history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Transportation Getting you there from here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Aerial Adventures Do you have “The Right Stuff?” . . . . . . . . .68

Oil Tourism Gushing with opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Movie Tourism Kern provides backdrop for Hollywood . . . . . .72

Calendar Selected events across Kern County . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

If you have questions about thecontent of this publication orabout Kern County in general,contact the Kern County Boardof Trade at (661) 868-KERN(5376), or stop by our VisitorsCenter at 2101 Oak Street,Bakersfield, CA 93301.

44 2 01 0 K E R N C O U N T Y V I S I T O R S ’ G U I D E • V I S I T K E R N . C O M

Garces Memorial High School

Applications Available

(661) 327-2578www.garces.org

Over 62 years of Excellence in Catholic Education

2800 Loma Linda Dr., Bakersfield, CA

Spiritually Connected • Academically Prepared • Socially Aware

Voted Best Private School Ten Years

in a Row!

12748 JOMANI DR. OFF ALLEN RD. NO. OF ROSEDALE HWY.

SHOWTIMES SHOWTIMES FRI. & SAT. 7PM

SUNDAY 2PM ALL SEATS $15 - $17

TICKETS NOW TICKETS NOW ON SALE! ON SALE!

587-3377 587-3377

IT AIN’T THEATER

IT’S

BOO THE VILLIAN!

CHEER THE HERO!

WELCOME

WWelcome to Kern County, where we invite you and your familyto come and ‘Play Your Way!!’

Those of us who live here are sometimes asked why we make thisour home. The answer is simple: so much to see, to experience, and toenjoy. Kern County is diverse in its opportunities for recreation. Fromour fertile valley that feeds America, to the peaceful and majesticmountain areas, to the vast expansive and unspoiled deserts, KernCounty truly has something for everyone. It takes a lifetime to exploreall it has to offer.

This Visitors Guide offers you a series of snap shots…a “SamplerPlate” of what we want to share with you during your visit. Please takea few minutes and enjoy this “book tour” of our piece of California.

Our cultural heritage invites visitors to learn abouteverything from ancient undersea creatures to NativeAmerican history.

Where can you find the largest concentration ofancient rock art in the Western Hemisphere? It’s herein Kern County.

How about the fastest falling river in the WesternUnited States? It’s our Kern River, home to world-class whitewater sports competitions and some of thebest rafting and kayaking anywhere in the West.

Our musical and creative roots run deep. This isthe home of country legends Buck Owens and MerleHaggard as well as the birthplace of the alternativerock trend-setters Korn. Be sure to visit Buck Owens’Crystal Palace for great food and entertainment, takea cruise along Merle Haggard Drive, or drop by thefront of Rabobank Arena to see the bronze plaque onthe Korn Stage honoring our hometown rock heroes.

For those who love the visual, art abounds. Fromthe accredited Bakersfield Museum of Art to the manysmall and unique galleries spread throughout Kern

County, there’s so much to see and enjoy. Don’t forget to experience our great Basque restaurants and our

one-of-a-kind “Black Gold” interactive oil exhibit at the Kern CountyMuseum.

Venture to Eastern Kern County and see renewable energy in action atthe Tehachapi Wind Farms. A bit further east and you’re in Mojave andthe Aerospace Valley. Private space travel was born here at the MojaveSpace Port with the launch SpaceShipOne in 2004, and the recentlyunveiled SpaceShipTwo will soon usher in the era of commercial spacetravel. You’ll find more aviation history at Edwards Air Force Base andthe Saxon Aerospace Museum. In Northeast Kern you can experiencethe Unites States Navy’s only fully-sanctioned armament and technologymuseum. The opportunities to explore just go on and on.

This Visitors Guide is full of information, maps and even recom-mended driving tours, all designed to help you enjoy your stay. But becareful! Kern County has a way of making you want to come backagain and again. Start planning your adventures right now and getready to experience Kern County, where there’s so much beauty to seeand enjoy.


2 01 0 K E R N C O U N T Y V I S I T O R S ’ G U I D E • V I S I T K E R N . C O M 77

Contact: Michele Hornback: (760) 373-3530 (e-mail: [email protected]) Please Note: Due to city ordinance/0295 CCMC section 7-5.02 there will be no dogs allowed in the park SERVICE DOGS ARE EXEMPT

The California City Arts Commission CO-SPONSORED BY KERN COUNTY BOARD OF TRADE AND CALIFORNIA CITY EDC

Renaissance Festival ADMISSION: ADULTS: $3.00 Children 12 and Under: FREE (With paid adult) LOCATION: California City Central Park 10400 Heather Ave • Californian City 93505 FOOD • MUSIC • CRAFTS • BEER GARDEN LIVE STEEL COMBAT • GAMES

FESTIVAL DATES OCT 16 & 17

SAT – 11AM TO 6PM SUN - 11AM TO 5PM

The Fully Automated Website Solution for Owners

Keep up to 95% of Your Rental Income

Manage your Own Vacation Rentals Online Share Housekeepers, Referrals and Resources

All Payments Go Directly Into Your Own Bank Account Accept All Major Credit Cards and Electronic Checks

Over 100 Website Features Availability Calendars • Rental Agreements

Online Reservations

Ask about our Pilot Program for FREE setup in your area!

Visit our website

www.coopvr.com or Call (760) 350-9674


AUTO TOURING

S

Mount Pinos

SSoo mmuucchh ttoo sseeee aanndd ssoo mmuucchh ggrroouunndd ttoocover. Having trouble making up yourmind? Take a look at these suggestedroutes when arranging your Kern Countydriving experience. Each of these trekslaunch and end at the county seat of Bak-ersfield, but the loops can be joined atany point along the route. Driving distances are approximate.


Explore some unique history at two wildly different kinds of forts, and mix inthe scenery of the forest and the quaint communities that call this area home.This is a great opportunity for outdoor sports like hiking and skiing, and youmay even see some wildlife along the way. (Driving Distance: 147 miles)

Take Interstate 5 South to Fort Tejon State Historic Park at Lebec(4201 Fort Tejon Road; 661-248-6692), less than an hour’s drive southof Bakersfield. Established in 1854, the fort was headquarters for UnitedStates forces in the region. Known as the “First Dragoons,” these troopsattempted to use camels, quite unsuccessfully, for desert travel. Nowpartially restored, the fort hosts monthly Civil War battle re-enactmentsduring the summer. (38 miles)

Just to the south along I-5 are the mountain communities of Lebecand Frazier Park. Brace yourself for a region of “away-from-it-all”scenery. This scenic mountain paradise was a meeting ground for suchIndian tribes as the Chumash, Kitanemuk and San Emigdio tribes. It

was also the scene of franticgold prospecting more than100 years ago. A stop at theRidge Route CommunitiesMuseum (3515 Park Drive,Frazier Park; 661-245-7747)is a great way to help youcatch up on the region’s saga.(4 miles)

From here you can take thehalf-hour drive up 8,831-footMount Pinos. The windingroad offers a magnificent viewof the Los Padres NationalForest, while the alpine campat the summit is a favoritestaging area for hiking andbirding excursions, and thearea is replete with trails forcross-country skiing. At nightthe parking area becomesfilled with amateur

astronomers who benefit from clear, dark skies that are miles from thenearest city lights.

Farther west along Mil Potrero Highway, you’ll find the private com-munity of Pine Mountain Club. Lush pine forest and subtle creeks runthroughout the landscape. Eclectic shops and restaurants throughoutthe unique village cater to locals and visitors alike. Be on the lookout forfamiliar faces. Solitude combined with proximity to Hollywood hasmade this a favorite weekend getaway for celebrities. (19 miles)

Cerro Norroeste Road dead ends at State Route 33, but this isn’t the

end of your trip. A jog to the left takes you to Soda Lake Road and theCarrizo Plain National Monument, where a visitor center (open May-December; 805-475-2131) offers information about natural wonderslike the San Andreas Fault and Painted Rock. Keep in mind that largeportions of the road are unpaved, so appropriate transportation is amust. Turn right and you drop back toward the Central Valley. A histori-cal marker between Maricopa and Taft denotes the site of the renownedLakeview Gusher, one of the West’s richest oil strikes. (34 miles)

Continue north on State Route 33 to Taft, where you can visit theWest Kern Oil Museum (1168 Wood Street; 661-765-6664). Thismuseum replicates an early oil camp complete with vintage equipmentand vehicles. The Historic Fort (915 N. 10th Street; 661-765-7371) isan adobe replica of Sutter’s Fort constructed as a WPA project. (8 miles)

Head back toward Bakersfield on State Route 119 and bear left onTupman Road en route to the Tule Elk State Reserve (8653 StationRoad, Buttonwillow; 661-764-6881). Dedicated in 1932, the 950-acrereserve protects a herd of rare tule elk, once in danger of extinction. Thepark includes interpretive exhibits, along with picnic sites and an obser-vation platform from which you can view the lovable animals. (17 miles)

FORTS ANDSPORTS

West Kern Oil Museum

Fort Tejon

DRIVE 1


Take a look at Kern’s unique natural treasures. Visit a native zoo andbotanical garden; marvel at the power of whitewater rapids as you follow theKern River through narrow canyons to Isabella Lake. See the massiveSequoias, and then explore some local history. (Driving Distance: 149 miles)

Start your trip at the California Living Museum (10500 Alfred Har-rell Highway; 661-872-2256), located just northeast of Bakersfield nearthe Kern River and Lake Ming. Here you’ll find Kern’s original residentshanging out the welcome mat. This unique zoo and botanical garden isfocused on indigenous wildlife. From here, State Route 178 starts itsintimate, at times awesome, acquaintance with the river’s steep-walled

canyon. The wild and scenic Kern

River, host to a number ofinternational whitewaterkayaking competitions, frothsand tumbles along this rockycourse. This area is popular forfishing and picnicking, but becareful. The water can bedeceptively swift and danger-ous. ‘Look but don’t touch’applies here. All rafters and

thrill seekers on the Kern River are reminded to wear a life jacket andplease don’t brave the river without a licensed and experienced white-water outfitter. Within 30 minutes or so, you’ll find yourself at IsabellaLake. An earthen dam at the southwestern end blocks the Kern River tocreate the reservoir. Boats for fish-ing or lake exploration may berented along the shore. (42 miles)

Now you’ve got choices tomake. State Route 178 continueseast, taking you to the flora andfauna of Weldon and the Audubon Kern River Preserve (760-378-2531), located at 18747 State Route 178. (15 miles)

Head north along State Route 155 and you’ll find the entrance to his-

WILD ANDSCENIC KERN

toric Keyesville, the first communityresulting from the Kern River goldstrike. Or continue farther north toKernville at the northern tip of thelake where museums, campgroundsand a fish hatchery await. This is alsothe launching point for tours of theTrail of 100 Giants, the southernmostgrove of mighty Giant Sequoias. (13miles)

Several whitewater rafting compa-nies are headquartered here for thoseinterested in a trip down the river.Keep in mind, the Kern River is beauti-ful but it richly deserves its “wild andscenic” designation. The stunningwhitewater that attracts Olympic ath-letes can be treacherous. Even sectionsthat appear relatively calm are decep-

tively swift and powerful. Whether on a guided trip or enjoying the riverwith friends and family, never venture into the water without a life jacketor other flotation device.

Westbound on State Route 155, the community of Glennville (24miles) offers a batch of side trips to ranch resorts, mines, historic monu-ments and mountain lairs. At Woody, the road divides to provide yetanother choice of routes. The shorter way leads south through the for-mer Butterfield Stagecoach stop of Granite Station and on through oilfields to Bakersfield via Oildale, or continue down State Route 155 toDelano. (37 miles)

Located in the midst of a San Joaquin Valley vineyard region, Delanosits astride the main valley artery of State Route 99. Take time to visitDelano Heritage Park (330 Lexington Street; 661-725-6730), home toa city museum with historic buildings dating back to 1876. East ofDelano is Lake Woollomes, where you might rent a boat to float orenjoy a picnic lunch.

You can also extend your excursion with side trips to see Shafter’sMinter Field Air Museum (401 Vultee Avenue; 661-393-0291) andShafter Depot Museum (150 Central Valley Highway; 661-746-4423).Head on to Wasco, the Rose Growing Capital of America, for a tour ofthe impressive grounds at Weeks Roses (30135 McCombs Road; 661-758-5821). Wasco is also famous for its annual rose festival, held thefirst weekend after Labor Day.

DRIVE 2

California LivingMuseum

Kern River


BEST OF BOTHWORLDS

Take a trip through two major mountain ranges with a stop in the highdesert in between. Your tour includes natural beauty, aerospace, big catsand a railroading marvel. (Driving Distance: 180 miles)

Take State Route 58 east out of Bakersfield, heading through therolling hills and orchards. On your way out, don’t miss Murray FamilyFarms (6700 General Beale Road; 661-330-0100). Kern County’s majoragricultural attraction offers fresh and you-pick produce, educationaland group tours, a petting zoo, a hay wagon and picnic grounds. Exit atKeene. (31 miles)

Welcome to the home of the National Chavez Center (29700Woodford-Tehachapi Road; 661-823-6134). This 187-acre museumand memorial garden preserves the legacy of Cesar Chavez, who led thefight for the rights of farm workers and founded the United Farm Work-ers of America.

Continue east on Tehachapi Road to a railroad engineering marvel.When seen from the historical marker at roadside, the rails of theTehachapi Loop seem to be making two circles, winding around them- Continued on page 12

Murray Family Farms

Tehachapi Pass

DRIVE 3selves like a snake. It’s here where you’ll see longer freight trains cross 77feet over the cars still worming into the tunnel below. Other vantagepoints offer the dramatic skyline sight of a train coming around themountain.

Continue east on State Route 58 to State Route 202. A right turn takesyou to the burgeoning Tehachapi Valley wine country, but our tourheads left into the city of Tehachapi. With a name variously attributed tothe Indian word for “windy place” and for “plenty of acorns and goodwater,” wind farms and tasty apples have helped establish the communi-ty’s reputation. (11 miles)

At an elevation of about 4,000 feet, the valley is famous for its apples.Old Town Tehachapi is an attraction unto itself, and the community isalso famous for its many public murals. The eastern portion ofTehachapi Boulevard evokes a Route 66 feel and has been featured intelevision commercials.

Return to State Route 58 and travel east through the Tehachapi Pass,

SECRETS OFTHE DESERT


Our most ambitious tour is a jaunt into East Kern’s portion of the upperMojave Desert. This trek includes relics from Kern’s early mining days,advancements in high-tech aviation, and a glance at our cultural history. Con-sider breaking your trip into multiple sections for even more enjoyment. (Dri-ving Distance: 327 miles)

Take State Route 58 east out of Bakersfield, heading through therolling hills and orchards. On your way out, don’t miss Murray FamilyFarms (6700 General Beale Road; 661-330-0100). Kern County’s majoragricultural attraction offers fresh and you-pick produce, educationaland group tours, a petting zoo, a hay wagon and picnic grounds. Exit atKeene. (31 miles)

Welcome to the home of the National Chavez Center (29700Woodford-Tehachapi Road; 661-823-6134). This 187-acre museumand memorial garden preserves the legacy of Cesar Chavez, who led thefight for the rights of farm workers and founded the United Farm Work-ers of America.

Continue east on Tehachapi Road to a railroad engineering marvel.When seen from the historical marker at roadside, the rails of theTehachapi Loop seem to be making two circles, winding around them-selves like a snake. It’s here where you’ll see longer freight trains cross 77feet over the cars still worming into the tunnel below. Other vantagepoints offer the dramatic skyline sight of a train coming around themountain.

Continue east on State Route 58 to State Route 202. A right turn takesyou to the burgeoning Tehachapi Valley wine country, but our tour

heads left into the city of Tehachapi. With a name variously attributed tothe Indian word for “windy place” and for “plenty of acorns and goodwater,” wind farms and tasty apples have helped establish the communi-ty’s reputation. (11 miles)

At an elevation of about 4,000 feet, the valley is famous for its apples.Old Town Tehachapi is an attraction unto itself, and the community isalso famous for its many public murals. The eastern portion ofTehachapi Boulevard evokes a Route 66 feel and has been featured intelevision commercials.

Return to State Route 58 and travel east through the Tehachapi Pass,where the landscape has gone “green” in more than one respect. Hill-sides are covered with an impressive array of windmill-like turbines thatcapture the energy of prevailing breezes, providing one of America’smore impressive renewable energy resources.

At the intersection of State Routes 14 and 58 lies Mojave, a former

where the landscape has gone “green” in more than one respect. Hill-sides are covered with an expansive array of windmill-like turbines thatcapture the energy of prevailing breezes, providing one of America’smore impressive renewable energy resources.

At the intersection of State Routes 14 and 58 lies Mojave, a formerrailroad town that is now the hub of private aerospace development.Mojave Air and Space Port (1443 Flightline Street; 661-824-2433) isthe nation’s first FAA-licensed inland spaceport. This was the launch siteof SpaceShipOne, which completed the first private suborbital spaceflight in 2004, and it’s also here that SpaceShipTwo (unveiled in 2009)undergoes testing as the curtain rises on commercial space tourism.Legacy Park, on the spaceport grounds, features memorabilia on displayincluding a SpaceShipOne replica and the original Rotary Rocket roton– one of the first reusable space vehicles. (21 miles)

South on State Route 14 you’ll find the town of Rosamond and thefamed Willow Springs International Raceway (3500 75th StreetWest; 661-256-6666), a nine-track complex known the world over.Rosamond is the staging area for tours of the Air Force Flight Test Cen-ter Museum at Edwards Air Force Base (405 S. Rosamond Boulevard;661-277-8050) but remember, public tours must be booked in

advance. Rosamond is also home to the Exotic Feline Breeding Com-pound (3718 60th Street West; 661-256-3793), where more than 70big cats are on display. (14 miles)

Drop farther south along State Route 14 toward Lancaster, then takeState Route 138 west to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve (15101Lancaster Road; 661-942-0662). This 1,745-acre state reserve is locatedon California’s most consistent poppy-bearing land. Other wildflowersshare the desert grassland to produce a mosaic of color and fragranceeach spring. Seven miles of trails, including a paved section for wheel-chair access, wind gently through the wildflower fields. (24 miles)

Back on the road, continue west to Interstate 5 then turn north.Along the way visit the Fort Tejon State Historic Park at Lebec (4201Ft. Tejon Road; 661-248-6692). Established in 1854, the fort was head-quarters for United States Army’s “First Dragoons,” troops that sought touse camels for desert travel. Now partially restored, the fort was also thepoint of arrival for the Butterfield Overland Mail Stagecoach in 1858,then making its first run to San Francisco. In the summer, you may befortunate enough to view a Civil War battle re-enactment – held month-ly. (41 miles)

Take northbound Interstate 5 to State Route 99 north and head backto Bakersfield.

Continued from page 11

DRIVE 4


railroad town that is now the hub of private aerospace development.Mojave Air and Space Port (1443 Flightline Street; 661-824-2433) isthe nation’s first FAA-licensed inland spaceport. This was the launch siteof SpaceShipOne, which completed the first private suborbital spaceflight in 2004, and it’s also here that SpaceShipTwo (unveiled in 2009)undergoes testing as the curtain rises on commercial space tourism.Legacy Park, on the spaceport grounds, features memorabilia on displayincluding a SpaceShipOne replica and the original Rotary Rocket roton– one of the first reusable space vehicles. (21 miles)

South on State Route 14 you’ll find the town of Rosamond and thefamed Willow Springs International Raceway (3500 75th StreetWest; 661-256-6666), a sprawling nine-track complex known theworld over. Rosamond is the staging area for tours of the Air ForceFlight Test Center Museum at Edwards Air Force Base (405 S. Rosa-mond Boulevard; 661-277-8050) but remember, public tours must bebooked in advance. Rosamond is also home to the Exotic Feline Breed-ing Compound (3718 60th Street West; 661-256-3793), where morethan 70 big cats are on display. (14 miles)

It’s a short drive back to Mojave, then east along State Route 58 toBoron. The Borax Visitor Center (14486 Borax Road; 760-762-7588)sits dramatically on the lip of California’s largest open-pit mine, measur-ing half a mile long and deeper than a 40-story building. Then visit thetwin Twenty Mule Team and Col. Vernon P. Saxon Jr. Aerospacemuseums (26962 Twenty Mule Team Road; 760-762-5810) for a tripthrough time. Constructed in a house rescued from the original BakerMine, the Twenty Mule Team Museum contains memorabilia from thetown’s early mining days. The Col. Vernon P. Saxon Aerospace Museumcommemorates the accomplishments of Kern County’s “Aerospace Val-ley.” (44 miles)

Back on State Route 58, drive east to United States Highway 395 andthen turn left (north) to the living ghost town of Randsburg. Even froma distance, it looks more like a movie set than a town. Houses and storesare perched on the rocky slope, shouldered tightly on three sides bymine workings and heaps of tailings. Randsburg was a roaring townwhen the Yellow Aster Mine was pouring out gold. (36 miles)

Back on United States Highway 395, it’s north again to Ridgecrest, the

largest city in eastern Kern. Ridgecrest is home to the China Lake NavalWeapons Station and the United States Naval Museum of Armament& Technology (1 Pearl Harbor Drive; 760-939-3530), the world’slargest armament museum. Here you’ll also find the Maturango Muse-um (100 E. Las Flores Avenue; 760-375-6900), with exhibits, eventsand seasonal tours featuring the natural and cultural history of the Indi-an Wells Valley. (21 miles)

If you’re a movie buff looking for a side trip, 45 minutes east of townvia State Route 178 are the awe-inspiring Trona Pinnacles, mammothtufa spires resting on what was once ocean floor. If they look familiar,think Land of the Lost, Planet of the Apes, or Star Trek V: The Final Fron-tier. The area is a favorite with Hollywood. The last few miles of thistrek requires travel on a regularly maintained dirt road. It’s passableunder most conditions, but high-clearance vehicles are recommended.

Our tour heads west on State Route 178, then south again on StateRoute 14 to Red Rock Canyon State Park. The colorful sandstone for-mations straddle the highway. These scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spec-tacular rock formations were forged where the rugged Sierra Nevadameets the El Paso Range. Undeveloped Ricardo Campground includes avisitors center, which is open Friday-Sunday (hours vary). You may befortunate enough to catch a morning nature hike or an evening campfireprogram. (36 miles)

Just south of the park is Jawbone Station (28111 Jawbone Road, Can-til; 760-373-1146), which guards the entrance to the Jawbone CanyonOHV area. This may seem like an out of the way place for a book storeand wildlife mini museum, but it’s a popular spot for those familiar withthe Cantil area. Profits raised here help to maintain the canyon’s trails. (6miles)

Continue south again on State Route 14 to California City Boulevard,then head east. The Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area is 40square miles of prime natural habitat set aside for the official state rep-tile. An interpretive center with an information kiosk and access to self-guiding trails is located four miles northeast of California City alongunpaved Randsburg-Mojave Road at 140th Street. (31 miles)

Backtrack along California City Boulevard to State Route 14. Then it’ssouth to State Route 58 and west to Bakersfield, completing the loop.

Tehachapi Loop

A NOT-SO-LIGHT LUNCHIf you consider mealtime to be a challenge, your appetite may have

just met its match!Bring an appetite to Luigi’s, where the best of Italy gets a down-home

makeover. Founded in 1910, this lunch-only local favorite is one of Bak-ersfield’s oldest family-operated businesses. Still in its original location at725 E. 19th Street, Luigi’s once sported a grocery and bakery along with asmall café where customers were treated to fresh stew, minestrone andpasta sauce.

It expanded in the 1920s, adding a bar and restaurant. Here you’ll findthe famous Luigi sandwich: two kinds of salami, three cheeses, lettuce,onion, mustard and Luigi’s famous sandwich sauce. Another treat is pastawith Luigi’s meat sauce, a light and tangy concoction made fresh dailyfrom a century-old family recipe.

LOCAL CUISINE

Dewar’s Family Candyand Ice Cream Parlor

Lunch at Luigi’s

FTastes of Kern

From famous sweets to ethnic specialties,Kern County boasts experiences that arepleasing to the palate and satisfying for anytourist curious to see the production behindthe tastes of Kern.



Luigi’s is also famous for its memorabilia. The walls are covered withphotos of local athletes and visiting celebrities spanning more than sevendecades. Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick, Indy 500 winner RickMears, and Presidents Ronald Reagan and John Kennedy are amongthose immortalized here. Soak up the atmosphere.

Sequoia Sandwich Company has become a Bakersfield institutionsince its downtown opening in September 1999.

Friends and entrepreneurs Gary Blackburn and Jeff Simpson saw theneed for a high-quality premium deli. Their concept of hand-craftedsandwiches made quickly in an upscale environment worked, promptingexpansion to three Bakersfield locations: 1231 18th Street, 9160Rosedale Highway, and 9500 Ming Avenue.

The claim to fame is the namesake Sequoia Sandwich, featuring oven-roasted turkey breast, creamy coleslaw, Swiss cheese and tomatoes on anonion roll. This signature plate couples nicely with Sequoia’s famouschili, made fresh and served daily at the Rosedale location.

Homemade cookies provide the perfect ending. Baked from scratchusing real butter, the cookies are generating their own fame for the gener-ous size and delectable goodness.

BREWED FOR PLEASUREKern County is home to three microbreweries, all featuring signature

brews with production on site.Lengthwise Brewing Company (6720 Schirra Court; 661-836-

ALES) has called Bakersfield home since 1998 when childhood friendsDarin Schwicker and Jeff Williams turned their “passion into product.”

Lengthwise makes six original microbrews including the signatureCentennial Ale, traditional Indian pale ale described as, “amber in colorwith an intense maltiness perfectly balanced with a spicy hop flavor.”

Centennial Ale won the Silver Medal for the English-Style India Pale Alecategory in the World Beer Cup.

Because each brew is part of a handcrafted process, Lengthwise doesnot have a formal tour schedule. Tours are offered by appointment.Lengthwise also serves root beer and cream sodas made from scratchalongside a diversified menu headed by beer-soaked fish and chips,chicken strips, and other culinary offerings. Still, tasty microbrewsremain at the heart of the business.

Eat your lunch with an Olympian! Kernville’s Kern River BrewingCompany (13415 Sierra Way; 760-376-BEER) is co-owned by 2004Olympic kayaking silver medalist Rebecca Giddens. Though only inexistence since 2006, the brewing company has become popular withlocals and visitors alike.

According to Giddens, those who enjoy the outdoors can appreciate agood brew or meal in a place that defies the typical restaurant/bar label.Customers can read about the brewing process and then watch it happenas they eat and drink in a “mellow, fun, low-key atmosphere” thatencourages customers to hang out in a family-friendly environment.

Just Outstanding India Pale Ale is known for its floral aroma and citrusfinish. It takes its name from a local mountain bike trail and stands outon a menu that boasts other locals’ namesake brews: Isabella Blonde,Sequoia Red, and Class V Stout — named for the challenging river rapidsfor which the area is famous. Class V is the most difficult whitewater, andthis stout is “not for the timid.”

Also known for high-end burgers on ciabatta bread, Kern River Brew-ing Company attracts visitors interested in “the best hiking, climbing andmountain biking in the world.” High quality brew and atmosphere arepart of the journey. Tours of the brewing process are available as space

Continued on page 16


Kern RiverBrewing Company

allows. To secure a tour, be sure to call ahead.Indian Wells Brewing Company (2565 N. State Route 14; 760-377-

5989) is just 20 minutes east of Ridgecrest near Inyokern and has brewedwith natural artesian spring water since 1995. The nearby Indian WellsSpring helps shape the dozen beers and sodas made here.

Created by founder Rick Lovett, the signature brew is Mojave Red, a“smooth, rich red lager without the bite” made with a combination of fivedifferent malts, Yakima Valley hops and Indian Wells Spring water.

An easy stop between Los Angeles and Mammoth, the brewery offers a2,000-square-foot gift shop and tasting room. IWBC keeps a keen focuson local production, using local honey for their beers. Here you can alsofind locally made soaps, lotions and hot sauces.

Tours are offered by brewer Randall Dilibero, but large groups areasked to book in advance. Ask about special tour and dinner packages.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM…Two family creameries have made Bakersfield home. Both churn out

treats everyone can enjoy, with or without a warm Kern County summerday.

Dewar’s Family Candy and Ice Cream Parlor is a local institutionwith an international reputation for scrumptious chews. Dewar’s worldfamous candy chews (available in peanut butter, caramel, peppermint,almond and chocolate almond flavors) can be shipped worldwide. Therecipes and quality, both traditions since the business was founded in1909, are utilized to produce the exact same product today. Locals can lit-erally eat favorite ice creams and original candy treats made famous yearsago.

Confections can be enjoyed in two different locations, 1120 Eye Streetand 9530 Hageman Road, both in Bakersfield. Dewar’s produces 7,000pounds of chews and over 2,000 gallons of ice cream a week. Dewar’s iswell known for its signature milkshake, the George’s Special — a choco-late concoction replete with bananas and walnuts.

Two to three tours are held weekly at the Eye Street location, allowing aglimpse at production techniques perfected nearly 100 years ago. Toursrequire groups of ten or more, and visitors are encouraged to contactDewar’s at 661-322-0933 to join a group. A special tour treat is watchingworkers hand dip the chocolates as has been done for nearly a century.

Dewar’s ice cream and chews are the sweets of choice at Disney’s El


Pain

ting

by C

harlo

tte W

hite

910 20th St. Downtown 327-5231

Open Tues. - Sun. at 11:15 am • CLOSED MONDAYS

Sinaloa Sinaloa MEXICAN RESTAURANT MEXICAN RESTAURANT


BBeennjjii’’ss FFrreenncchh BBaassqquueeRReessttaauurraanntt4001 Rosedale HighwayBakersfield (661) 328-0400

CChhaalleett BBaassqquuee RReessttaauurraanntt200 Oak St, Bakersfield(661) 327-2915

NNaarrdduuccccii’’ss CCaafféé622 E. 21st St, Bakersfield(661) 324-2961

NNoorriieeggaa HHootteell525 Sumner St, Bakersfield(661) 322-8419

PPyyrreenneeeess CCaafféé601 Sumner St, Bakersfield(661) 323-0053

SSaannddrriinnii’’ss IIttaalliiaann--BBaassqquueeRReessttaauurraanntt && BBaarr1918 Eye St, Bakersfield(661) 322-8900

WWooooll GGrroowweerrss RReessttaauurraanntt620 E. 19th St, Bakersfield(661) 327-9584

Capitan Theater in Hollywood. Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store(located next to the theater) feature Dewar’s classics, like George’s Specialand the Black and White Sundae. Chews and chocolates are availableonline at www.dewarscandy.com, but to enjoy George’s Special or any ofDewar’s other ice cream creations, you’ll need to visit the parlors in per-son. It’s sure to bring back memories of old-fashioned creameries fromyears past.

Rosemary’s Family Creamery in downtown Bakersfield (2733 FStreet; 661-395-0555) has become a hometown favorite. Founded byFrank and Rosemary DeMarco in 1984, this operation is proud to have atleast one family member always present during hours of operation mak-ing sure the traditional experience customers expect never disappoints.

During the busy summer season, Rosemary’s churns out over 600 gal-lons of ice cream a week, while everything from sandwiches to sundaes ismade fresh on site. A time-honored favorite is Cousin Julie’s hot fudgebrownie, made with fresh brownies from a family recipe. This sundaealso contains vanilla ice cream, homemade hot fudge, nuts, whippedcream and a cherry to top it off.

BASQUEImmerse yourself in the unique experience of Basque dining. You’ll

find a virtual smorgasbord of ethnic tastes and treats that make lunch ordinner much more than a meal.

Connoisseurs of fine food melded with a cultural experience flock toKern County’s Basque restaurants. The Bakersfield area boasts one of thelargest Basque populations outside of the Pyrenees. These friendly peopleare known for more than shepherding, as their incredible cuisine drawsvisitors from across California.

If you’ve never been to a Basque restaurant, you’re in for a treat. Tradi-tional Basque dining is served family style with multiple courses thatrequire a crowd of friends and a big appetite.

The Basque have a great appreciation for good food, and it’s a traditionto serve it up in large quantities. Most meals include soup, salad, bread,salsa and beans before you get to the entrée of your choice: steak,seafood, lamb or poultry. In some restaurants, delicacies such as pickledtongue or ox tail stew are added to the fare.

The Basque dining experience ventures beyond the ability to temptdiners’ palates; it offers the chance to take your time and soak up theatmosphere. In many Basque restaurants you can still hear the ancientlanguage of Eskuara – a combination of Latin, French and Castilian –being spoken among the staff.

Kern County has a variety of Basque restaurants to choose from. Theyrange from modern to old family-style eateries and days of operationvary, but all feature that unmistakable Basque taste.

Onlyeight milesfromWoffordHeights!

Greenhorn Summit

ShirleyMeadowsSki Park

Glenville

Kernville

LakeIsabella

Hwy178

Hwy

155

Hwy 155Pine

Dr.

Willow Alta Sierra Rd.

10720 Pine DriveAlta Sierra(760) 376-8900please call ahead forseasonal restauranthours

Fine dining among the tall pines, featuring mouth-watering entries, appetizers, wines and a full bar. Soup of the day, salads, burgers, veggie entries, seafood, steak, pasta and more.

All Beef used in our meals is Certified Angus Beef Brand

Basque Dining Guide

Toss your line into “reel” adventure

FISHING

Scenic fly fishing in the Kern River

Trophy trout nabbed in the Kern

WWishing you were fishing? Kern County is a home away fromhome for anglers of all ages and preferences.

From an easily accessible lake to a solitary hike deep into the back-country, we have just the spot. The “luckiest” anglers tend to target theircatch, so first decide what you want to hook to help you determinewhere and how to fish in Kern County.

The Kern River flows at the southern end of the Sierra Nevadas, onlythree hours by car from Los Angeles. The Upper Kern from JohnsondaleBridge to Isabella Lake is open to fishing all year. The area above thebridge is open from the last Saturday in April through mid-November.

With 20-pound catfish occasionally pulled from Isabella Lake, it’s nowonder this is the lake’s most consistently caught species. Since big catsstay away from shore, some anglers prefer the use of boats to tackle deepwater in areas like French Gulch, Piney Point, South Fork Channel oroff Engineer’s Point.

Bass anglers also prefer fishing Isabella from boats, working theshoreline and drawing the lure into deeper water. Favorite spots withthose all-important drop-offs include Rocky Point, Freear Point andFrench Gulch. French Gulch also offers deep water and protection fromthe wind, making float tubing possible and bass in excess of 10 poundsprobable.



PROUD $10,000 Fish Sponsor for 2010

Fishing Derby Catch it on our rental

boat and win $20,000!

One Owner, Two Great Locations!

Personal Watercraft Rentals Pontoon & Fishing Boat Rentals

Fishing & Boating Equipment Boat Moorings

Warm weather means warmer water and more active feeding, andthat’s the time to go after bluegill. The successful angler finds them incoves due to spawning and the warmer shallow water. For the bestcoves, seek out those that are less heavi-ly-fished than the more popular bass andcatfish havens.

Crappie also love warm weather andshallow water. Rocky Point, FrenchGulch, Boulder Gulch, Piney Point, Par-adise Cove and Lime Dike are good spotsfor anglers in search of crappie.

The Department of Fish and Gamestocks Isabella Lake with 10 to 13-inchtrout, though heftier rainbows haveweighed in at as much as five pounds.For these trophy fish, head to the Auxil-iary Dam, Boulder Gulch or deeperwaters in the Main Dam area.

Isabella is a prime destination for anglers each spring as thousandsdescend on its waters for the annual fishing derby. Nearly a quarter of amillion dollars in prize money has been awarded since 1990, and there’salways a chance one lucky angler will bag a $10,000 grand prize.

Hit Kern’s backcountry streams before the middle of August, whenthey tend to dry up. They are best accessed by an OHV, dirt bike ormountain bike. Part of the adventure is in the challenge of getting there,but the ultimate reward is the abundance of small fish that can test yourtechnique.

Grapevine Creek, either between northbound and southbound Inter-

state 5 at Fort Tejon or at the bottom of the mountain just south ofGrapevine, was once the home of a trout farm. Holdouts still remain,and these trout promise the ultimate trophy for the avid sportsman.

Frazier Mountain Park also offersCuddy Creek Pond for the little anglers.Stocked frequently by the Department ofFish and Game, this is a great place forkids to learn about catching trout. TheFiesta Days Fishing Derby each August isthe best time to introduce young anglersto the rewards of trout fishing.

For a more private experience, try TaitRanch Fly Fishing (3344 Frazier Moun-tain Park Road; 661-245-6315) at FrazierPark. The grounds include three smallponds and picnic facilities. Look for rain-bow stockers in the 12 to 14-inch range.

For the best flow and coldest water inthe area, venture to San Emigdio Creek near the entrance to Pine Moun-tain Club in the Los Padres National Forest. Like nearby WoodlandCreek, there are small native trout in the stream.

For largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish, head downhill and down-stream from the Pine Mountain Golf Course to Pine Mountain ClubPond. If big stocked trout is what you’re looking for, go to county-owned Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area (661-868-7050) near Taft.The Mount Lassen hatchery stocks these beauties in the spring.

For anglers of every persuasion, the biggest catch often starts with theshort trip to Kern County.

Fishing on the Kern River


Take a flying leap

SKYDIVING

The thrill of freefall

T video and photography services found anywhere are available, so youcan share the thrill of your skydive with family and friends. Many localcamera flyers have been featured in award-winning films, national tele-vision broadcasts and print advertising worldwide.

They’re committed to providing you with the finest instruction andservice available. Whether you plan to have a once in a lifetime adven-ture, learn the sport of skydiving, or prepare for competition, you willnever forget the thrill of skydiving in Kern County.

Thrill seekers know that one of the state’s premiere skydivinglocations is located in Kern County. The community of Taft, tuckedaway in the southwest corner of the county, is renowned for its invitingconditions.

Skydiving is open to adventurers of all experience levels with jumpschools, tandem skydiving, sky surfing and more. Training is availableto teach newcomers, and there are plenty of opportunities to give theexperienced a chance to display their skills.

Found at the southernmost tip of the beautiful San Joaquin Valley,Skydive Taft (500 Airport Road; 661-765-JUMP) offers one of the fastestjump ships in the country, carrying up to 23 jumpers to 13,500 feet instyle.

The jump center offers student programs with the added security ofsome of the most experienced staff in the industry. Their jumpmastersare certified and licensed by the United States Parachute Association,and many have participated in world record attempts, The X Games andU.S. Nationals.

Here you’ll find the latest state-of-the-art equipment and training.Skydivers can be fitted with ram-air (square, steerable) main and reserveparachutes equipped with automatic openers and other accessoriessuch as tandem rigs and sky boards.

Make sure you record your leap for posterity. Some of the best freefall

• Over 24 years experience • Excellent safety record • State of the art equipment • Personalized video of your Skydive

Tandem & Accelerated Free Fall available

Open 7 days a week, year round. 661-765-JUMP www.skydivetaft.com

Discount rates for: • Students • Birthdays • Military, Fire, Police • Kern County residents


FIND EVEN MORE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES www.californiacity.com or

www.californiacityparksandrec.com

EVENTS CALENDAR

• FIREWORKS - 4th of July, Central park, California City

• OPITIMIST SWAP - 1st Saturday in November & April, downtown, California City

• DESERT TORTOISE DAYS - May 1 & 2

• RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL - October 16th & 17th, Central Park, California City


Getting down and dirtyOFF-ROADING

Off-roading at Government Peak

KKern County has long been a haven for off-road enthusiasts with anumber of state and federal OHV areas scattered throughout the county.

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, located near Lebec inthe Tejon Pass along the Interstate 5 corridor, offers 19,000 acres of sce-nic trails for motorcycle, ATV and four-by-four recreation.

Experienced riders love the challenging routes of the hills and sandwashes, while beginners are greeted by the scenery and ease of trails inthe Native Grasslands Management Area. Trails in the adjacent LosPadres National Forest are recommended for experienced riders only.Call Hungry Valley SVRA (661-248-7007) or the United States ForestService (661-245-3731) for information.

The Keyesville Special Management Area is located in the Kern RiverValley northeast of Bakersfield. Under the direction of the FederalBureau of Land Management, this 7,133-acre zone is filled with blue oakand foothill pine. Just west of Isabella Lake and bordered by the SequoiaNational Forest and State Routes 178 and 155, the zone plays host tomotorcycles, dune buggies, ATVs and mountain bikes on designatedtrails. The area is also home to the Keyesville Classic mountain bike raceeach spring.

In addition to riding, Keyesville offers plenty of opportunities for moun-tain biking, camping, fishing, whitewater rafting and horseback riding.

The Jawbone Canyon / Dove Springs OHV Area offers over 7,000acres of open-use public land used for anything from cross-country playto advanced technical routes. Ride anywhere your skill and machine willtake you. Access to Jawbone Canyon is located off State Route 14,


approximately 20 miles north of Mojave (the Jawbone Visitors Centerguards the entrance). Dove Springs can be accessed from State Route 14north of Red Rock Canyon State Park.

Riders in the area in and around California City will find the communityready to accommodate their unique brand of fun. Opened in October of2008, the Cal City Business Trail allows access to the community’s shop-ping and dining row via OHVs. Stretching 11 miles from Borax Hill to thecity business park, the trail also includes a parking lot created specificallyfor off-highway vehicles. The trail is open weekends until sunset.

East Kern’s High Desert also offers plenty of riding areas on BLM-oper-ated lands.

Opened in 2008, the Rand Mountains Management Area stretchesfrom Randsburg and US 395 west to Koehn Dry Lake. This limited usearea provides a network of designated rider trails. A valid off-road vehicletag is required for California residents, while visitors from out of stateneed valid registration from their home state or a non-resident permit(available at nearby Jawbone Station).

Spangler Hills boasts over 57,000 acres of open public land. Its cross-country and trail riding paths, advanced technical routes, and four-wheeldrive trails criss-cross the Mojave Desert near Ridgecrest, just three hoursnorth of Los Angeles.

Teagle Wash, east of Trona-Red Mountain Road, is a popular stagingarea. The site provides staging of competitive events in addition to a largearea for camping and riding. Other popular staging areas are Searles Sta-tion, two miles east of US 395 via Searles Station Road; and Wagon Wheel,just five miles south of State Route 178 on Trona-Red Mountain Road.

For access to the Pacific Crest Trail and Owens Peak, visit Indian WellsCanyon, just 15 miles northwest of Ridgecrest. The area is bordered bythe Owens Peak, Sacatar Trail, Chimney Peak, Domeland and Kiavahwilderness areas. You’ll be crossing some streams, so a four-wheel drivevehicle with high clearance is recommended. From the end of thecanyon, visitors can hike to Owens Peak or the Pacific Crest Trail. Payclose attention to signage, because motor vehicles are not permitted indesignated wilderness areas.

The same can be said of Last Chance Canyon, located in the El PasoMountains. Extending from Black Mountain south to the town of Salt-dale, this colorful, scenic region resulted from a mixture of sediments andvolcanic rock. The stratum has been exposed through uplift along the ElPaso Fault, which created the range.

There are several four-wheel drive routes available. Look for postedsigns advising of park restrictions as a portion of the canyon rests insideRed Rock Canyon State Park. The zone also has a number of historicaland archaeological sites, which are protected by federal and state law.

For information about these locations, contact the Ridgecrest office ofthe BLM at 760-384-5400.

COME PLAY AT

SAYS

CCOOMME PPLLAAYY AATTCCCOOMMMEE PPPLLLAAAYY AATT

WWW.JAWBONE.ORG

OHV RIDING 4X4 WILDLIFE WATCHING HIKING ROCKS & GEMS HORSEBACK RIDING HUNTING PICNICKING HISTORY TOURING STAR GAZING

We’re on Facebook:Friends of Jawbone


Wet and wild fun

WATER SPORTS

Rafting on the Kern River

KKeerrnn RRiivveerr OOuuttffiitttteerrss800-323-4234P.O. Box 1207, Wofford Heightswww.kernrafting.com

KKeerrnn RRiivveerr TToouurrss800-844-72382712 Mayfair, Lake Isabellawww.kernrivertours.com

MMoouunnttaaiinn aanndd RRiivveerrAAddvveennttuurreess800-861-655311113 Kernville Road, Kernvillewww.mtnriver.com

RRiivveerr’’ss EEnndd RRaaffttiinngg aannddAAddvveennttuurree CCoommppaannyy866-360-RAFT15701 Highway 178, Bakersfieldwww.riversendraft.com

SSiieerrrraa SSoouutthh MMoouunnttaaiinn &&PPaaddddllee SSppoorrttss800-457-208211300 Kernville Road, Kernvillewww.kernriver.com

WWhhiitteewwaatteerr VVooyyaaggeess800-400-RAFT5225 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrantewww.whitewatervoyages.com

Kern River Whitewater Guides

TThe remarkable Kern River Valley is one of California’s premieradventure attractions, offering exciting whitewater and beautiful Sierrascenery.

Federally designated as a “wild and scenic” river, the Kern River is fedby the melting snow of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contigu-ous 48 states. And unlike most Sierra waters, the Kern flows north-to-south instead of east-to-west for 100 of its 165 miles.

For sensational whitewater in a pristine wilderness setting, visit theUpper Kern. National Geographic Explorer has dubbed this section ofriver as one of the six “ideal” rafting trips in America. That the regionwas so honored is no surprise; Sports Afield magazine also rated it thenation’s top paddling destination.

One hour, half-day and full-day rafting trips are available daily fromlate March through August, and most are tempered for both the noviceand experienced paddler. For the more adventurous, try a one-day ClassV run. The most difficult rapids are given that distinction and are notfor the faint of heart or the inexperienced.

Windsurfing at Lake Isabella


For anyone up for a challenge, take on the two or three-day excur-sion. One of the premier wilderness whitewater trips in the nation is atrip on the Forks of the Kern, rated by experts as among the most tech-nically-demanding runs in California. This trip offers continuous ClassIV and V whitewater in addition to spectacular scenery.

Sections of the river drop nearly 60 feet per mile creating numerousrapids and waterfalls, many of which must be scouted (and occasionallyavoided) during high water. Be prepared for extreme physical exertionon any trip involving Class V water.

For the ultimate overnight trip, head to the Lower Kern, a dam-released section flowing out of beautiful Isabella Lake. Water is releasedall summer, providing a steady flow against the steep granite walls of thecanyon. Hot summer days and quiet pools, coupled with challengingClass III and IV rapids, make this the most popular two-day river trip inSouthern California.

Your adventure awaits but please don’t brave the Kern River without alicensed and experienced whitewater outfitter, and always remember towear your life jacket. Many outfitters offer additional adventures such askayaking schools, rock climbing and snowshoeing, so don’t be afraid toask.

Of course, there’s more to the region than just whitewater. NearbyIsabella Lake is never at a loss for activities. This is one of Southern Cali-fornia’s premiere windsurfing locations. Lake kayaking, boating, jet ski-ing and water skiing are all popular pastimes here.

Wind and kite surfers love Isabella for its consistent winds and easysand launches. Due to its size (over 11,000 acres), boating enthusiastslove its plentiful opportunities for fishing, water skiing, or just cruising.With warm water in the summertime and an abundance of affordablecamping, Isabella Lake is the ultimate destination for active relaxation.

We offer over 600 acres of

pristine pheasant, chukar,

and quail hunting grounds

for new and experienced hunters alike.

1-hour to 3-day whitewater raft trips April-October. Kayak tours on Lake Isabella in Sequoia National Forest. World-renowned whitewater kayak school. Most complete paddle sports retail store in southern CA.

Walk-Ins Welcome

Book Trips online at www.sierrasouth.com

WINTER SPORTS


WWhether you prefer the downhill route or makingyour way cross country, Kern County plays host to a vari-ety of winter activities.

For those who dream of speeding down a powderedslope, head toward the breath-taking Kern River Valley.Eighty acres of winter wonderland are nestled south ofGreenhorn Mountain summit near Wofford Heights.

Alta Sierra Ski Resort (56700 Rancheria Road; 760-376-4186) operates two chair lifts and eight runs rangingin elevation from 6,700 to 7,100 feet. Runs cater to thebeginning and intermediate skier, although 30 percent ofthe mountain is rated for the advanced. Snowboardershave also found a home in the resort’s rails, tabletops, andhalf-pipe.

Alta Sierra Ski Resort is open Friday through Sundayand on selected holidays, conditions permitting.

The southern Sierra also boasts numerous cross-coun-try and snowshoe trails. Commercial outfitters offer shoeand ski rentals with guided half and full-day trips availablefor groups of four or more.

Mount Pinos Ranger District near Frazier Park is conve-niently located for much of Southern California, restingjust an hour from Los Angeles. Cross-country skiingrequires only a flat area with some snow and a little train-ing in technique. Mount Pinos answers the call.

Most of the area’s marked ski trails lie in a 2,000-acrezone between the 7,500-foot elevation of McGill Camp-ground and the 8,831-foot summit of Mount Pinos. Forsnowy satisfaction beyond skiing, you can also try snow-shoeing, tobogganing, and sledding. Inner tubes can pro-vide endless hours of entertainment though they don'thave any steering or guiding mechanism. Chart where youare going before you end up in dangerous territory.

Pay close attention to posted signs and advisories forrestrictions. The Forest Service requires vehicles to displayan official Adventure Pass when parked in the MountPinos Winter High Impact Recreation Area. Passes areavailable from the Chuchupate Ranger Station (34580Lockwood Valley Road, Frazier Park), via the Internet, orfrom selected local merchants.

Additionally, private property exists throughout the for-est, so please respect others’ property and privacy duringyour visit.

Before your trip, check ahead with the Forest Service(661-245-3731) to learn which areas are open and ask fordetails about snowmobile designated routes in the MountPinos area. The Forest Service always suggests traveling ina group as the deep powder desirable to skiers can be diffi-cult for snowmobiles.

Let it snow

BESTKern County’s

• New 23,000 sq. ft. store• More than 1,000 bikes in stock• Complete ski/snowboard shop• Ski and snowboard rentals • South Valley’s best climbing gym• Best indoor cycling facility in the county• Big Ring Cafe coffee shop and deli

9500 Brimhall at Calloway661-833-4000www.teamactionsports.com

SPORTS STORE


15 Minutes from Downtown Bakersfield

$29 Per Player Up to 4 Players

Includes Green Fee & Cart! Mon. - Fri. Anytime. Weekends & Holidays after 12 pm.

North Kern Golf Course (661) 399-0347

17412 Quality Rd • Bakersfield • www.NorthKernGolf.com

•! 18 Hole Championship Golf Course •! Mature Trees and Undulated Greens

•! PGA Golf Staff •! Lessons By Appt. •! Full Service Snack


BAKERSFIELDAA CCoouunnttrryy RRVV PPaarrkk6722 S. Fairfax Road661-363-6412

BBaakkeerrssffiieelldd PPaallmmss RRVVRReessoorrtt250 Fairfax Road661-366-6700

BBaakkeerrssffiieelldd RRVV RReessoorrtt5025 Wible Road661-833-9998

BBaakkeerrssffiieelldd TTrraavveell PPaarrkk8633 E. Brundage Lane800-962-4546

BBeeaarr MMoouunnttaaiinn RRVV RReessoorrtt16501 S. Union Avenue661-834-3811

BBuueennaa VViissttaa AAqquuaattiicc RReeccrreeaattiioonn AArreeaaEnos Lane at Union Road661-868-7050

KKeerrnn RRiivveerr CCaammppggrroouunndd13041 Lake Ming Road661-861-3110

OOrraannggee GGrroovvee RRVV PPaarrkk1542 S. Edison Road661-366-4662

RRoosseeddaallee VViillllaaggee RRVV PPaarrkk13901 Rosedale Highway661-589-0593

RRiivveerr RRuunn RRVV PPaarrkk3715 Burr Street888-748-7786

SSmmookkee TTrreeee RRVV PPaarrkk4435 Hughes Lane661-832-0433

SSoouutthhllaanndd RRVV PPaarrkk9901 Southland Court661-834-1134

FRAZIER PARKLLaakkee ooff tthhee WWooooddss MMoobbiilleeVViillllaaggee6132 Frazier Mountain Park Rd.661-245-3521

INYOKERNEEll SSoollaannaa MMoottoorr HHoommee aanndd RRVV PPaarrkk1366 N. Brown Road760-377-4716

RV PARKS

Home away from home

Look for the icon in the maps section

of this guide for RV park locations.

AAre you part of the get-up-and-go crowd but you also

hate to leave the comforts of home? Chances are you’re already

well versed in the fine art of “RVing.”

Kern County is a land of year-round magic and recreational

vehicles are a great way to explore Kern County’s great out-

doors. From east to west and all across our mountains, valleys

and deserts, there are plenty of inviting locations to serve as

the base camp for your excursions.

Bring your toys – motorcycles, ATVs, watercraft – with you.

Kern County has plenty of locations for you to enjoy your

favorite action sport. Or if you prefer, choose a slightly more

quiet location where you can fish, hike or snooze in the after-

noon sun.

Thanks to RVs, you really can take it with you. It’s never

been easier to truly make Kern County your home away from

home.

Birdie Evertse reads the morningnewspapers in a shady spot at theBakersfield RV Resort.

CA

LIFO

RN

IAN

FIL

E P

HO

TO


KERNVILLECCaammpp JJaammeess CCaammppggrroouunnddaanndd RRVV PPaarrkk13801 Sierra Way760-376-2535

FFrraannddyy PPaarrkk11252 Kernville Road760-376-6483

RRiivveerrnnooookk CCaammppggrroouunndd14001 Sierra Way760-376-2705

RRiivveerrvviieeww RRVV PPaarrkk24 Siretta Street760-376-2345

SSiieerrrraa MMeeaaddoowwss SSeenniioorrMMoottoorr HHoommee aanndd RRVV PPaarrkk448 Scodie Road760-223-1729

MOJAVESSppaacceeppoorrtt RRVV PPaarrkk2121 E. Nadeau Street661-824-2811

SSiieerrrraa TTrraaiillss RRVV PPaarrkk21282 Highway 14760-373-4950

MT. MESALLaakkee IIssaabbeellllaa RRVV RReessoorrtt11936 Highway 178760-379-2046

RIDGECRESTBBeerrttrraanndd’’ss RRVV PPaarrkk4331 Inyokern Road760-377-4000

DDeesseerrtt EEmmppiirree FFaaiirrggrroouunnddss RRVV PPaarrkk520 S. Richmond Road760-375-8000

TEHACHAPIIInnddiiaann HHiillll RRaanncchh RRVV PPaarrkk18601 Arosa Road661-822-6613

MMoouunnttaaiinn VVaalllleeyy AAiirrppoorrtt RRVVPPaarrkk16334 Harris Road661-822-1213

WELDONLLaakkee IIssaabbeellllaa KKOOAA15627 Highway 178800-562-2085

While every effort is made to ensure complete listings, Kern County Board of Tradeassumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

CA

LIFO

RN

IAN

FIL

E P

HO

TO

I3300 2 01 0 K E R N C O U N T Y V I S I T O R S ’ G U I D E • V I S I T K E R N . C O M

Visiting “Kern’sGold” with

HuellHowser

HUELL HOWSER

Huell Howser at Red Rock

By Huell Howser

I’ve made my share of trips to Kern County, andthe number of things to see and do there is justamazing. In 1981 I started coming up on a regularbasis: to Taft for Oildorado Days or to Kernville forwhitewater rafting, just to name a couple of theamazing reasons to visit.

Kern County is so diverse. How many countiescan offer everything from cotton to oil to whitewaterrafting to Basque food? I’ve done shows on all ofthose, and I can tell you from experience that this is abig place. Everybody is friendly, not a lot of pretense.They're my kind of people.

The history, the cuisine and even the wildlife are

Imagine a silver-haired native Tennesseanas California’s ultimate goodwill ambassador— and as one of the leading cheerleaders forKern County.

Huell Howser’s popular public televisionprograms highlight the best California has tooffer. As host of an astounding seven differentprograms (California’s Gold, Visiting with HuellHowser, Road Trip with Huell Howser, California’sGolden Parks, California’s Green, California’sWater, and Downtown), Howser regularly show-cases Kern County attractions to millions ofviewers.

“I want our stories to reveal the wonders ofthe human spirit and the richness of life inCalifornia, including its history, people, cul-ture and natural wonders,” Howser explained.He’s succeeded. Howser recounted some ofhis favorite area trips for Discover Kern County.


unique, making Kern County a perfect exam-ple of ‘California’s Gold’. The Kern CountyMuseum and Buena Vista Museum of NaturalHistory both give a look back at the area’s past,and the Tule Elk State Reserve and BuckOwens’ Crystal Palace are major draws today.

You’ll find enough activity to work up anappetite, which for me usually means a visit toone of the Basque restaurants, a sampling ofhometown sweets and some local atmosphereat one of the popular pubs.

Bakersfield is growing by leaps and boundsbut it still has a unique charm and friendlypeople. It’s just a couple of hours up the roadbut nothing like being in Los Angeles. Even ifyou’ve only got a few hours, it’s a great place toget away.

One of my recent shows took me back tothe Kern County Museum for the opening ofthe Lopez Hill House, a story I’ve followed foryears. The museum has been collecting his-toric buildings since 1948. The century-oldhistoric residence was offered to the museumin 2007 but it wasn’t until last year that a com-munity effort raised the funds for restoration.The house was originally the home of Jose J.Lopez, the long-time manager of the renownedTejon Ranch. As was common through Bakers-field history, the home was moved when com-mercial development of downtownencroached on its originally residential area.Fortunately the museum was able to preservethis piece of history.

My shows often take me to historic sites,and one of the more interesting is just south ofBakersfield. Back in the 1930’s a number of“Okies” piled into trucks and jalopies withsigns reading “California or Bust” trying toescape the Dust Bowl. Plenty ended up at theWeedpatch Camp near Lamont, the very placeJohn Steinbeck wrote about in his The Grapesof Wrath. Some of the buildings have beenrestored, making this a great stop for historybuffs.

Take a trip to the southwest part of thecounty and find out how oil made Kern Coun-ty great. The city of Taft sits right on top of theMidway-Sunset oil field, the top oil-producingfield in the lower 48 states. This is where you’llfind the West Kern Oil Museum, which lookslike an early 20th century oil camp completewith a full-sized replica of a classic woodenderrick. Tours include a look at the nearby siteof the Lakeview Gusher, the largest gusher inthe United States. Taft will celebrate its 100thbirthday in October 2010 with the massiveOildorado Days celebration – only held every

fifth year.Near Wasco, I had the chance to enjoy the

huge fields of roses that cover the area. Thesefolks are rather proud of the fact that morethan half of the country’s roses are grown here,about 50 million plants a year. Pasadena hasthe Rose Bowl parade but Wasco has its ownfour-day celebration every September thatincludes exhibitions and rose field tours.

Up on the Grapevine along Interstate 5 isanother of my favorites, Fort Tejon State His-toric Park. Talk about stepping back into histo-ry. The grounds are a tribute to 135 yearsworth of soldiers, gold miners, and other fron-tier folk. On some weekends the show getseven more spectacular as volunteers dress upin period costumes and turn the park into aliving history lesson. They even stage monthlyCivil War re-enactments during the summer.

In my opinion, the Kern River Preserve maybe one of the most beautiful places on Earth.The Audubon Society of California operatesthis unspoiled part of the Kern River Valleynear Weldon, just east of Isabella Lake. This isone of California’s finest remaining riparianforests, and it supports a lot of local wildlife.This was one of the first sites in the country toreceive Globally Important Bird Area recogni-tion. Over 330 bird species have been seenhere, and around two hundred species nest inthe area.

In East Kern just off State Highway 14, RedRock Canyon State Park features scenic desertcliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations.The park is not only rich in natural beauty, buthas a deep human history ranging from thenative Kawaiisu Indians, who left petroglyphs,to the 1870s 20-mule team freight wagons that

stopped for water. There are also the remainsof 1890s-era mining operations, and the areahas been the site for a number of movies.

Farther east, the authentic mining town ofRandsburg is all that remains from the boomdays of the upper Mojave Desert. It has a rusticlook and a unique brand of people, and bothare stunningly unaffected by the rest of Califor-nia. Randsburg is a “living ghost town” thatlikes having some — but not too much —company. There are no stop lights, gas stationsor malls here; just a quiet little town thatenjoys its place in desert history.

Just to the north is the city of Ridgecrest,home of the Naval Air Weapons Station-ChinaLake and arguably the largest concentration ofNative American rock art in the WesternHemisphere. There are 6,000 images just inone small canyon area alone. It is thought thatcertain petroglyphs date to as much as 16,000years old. This rock art is so important to ourcultural heritage and our knowledge of thedesert's past that in 1964 the sites were listedin the National Register of Historic Places.

Just east of Ridgecrest is the Trona Pinna-cles, which is one of the most unusual geologi-cal features in California. The unusual land-scape consists of more than 500 tufa spires,some as high as 140 feet rising from a dry lakebed. The Pinnacles have been used as a back-drop for hundreds of movies and TV shows,including mine!

All of Huell’s travels are available on DVD. Toorder a program, call 800-266-5727 or visitwww.CalGold.com. Selected shows are also avail-able from the Kern County Board of Trade giftshop at 2101 Oak Street in Bakersfield.

Huell Howser with Glenda Rankin (L) and Dianne Sharman at the Lopez Hill House.


BIRDING

Kern’s finefeatheredfriends

GGet ready to spend some time with our fine feathered friends.Kern County birding can be extremely rewarding. California has six

separate bioregions, and five of them converge right here. Kern is one ofthe most ecologically diverse counties in the state, making it a birder’sparadise.

Audubon California recognized the potential of the area when itestablished the Kern River Preserve (18747 State Route 178, Weldon;760-378-2531). Nestled in the Sierras near the east shore of IsabellaLake, the preserve encompasses the largest contiguous riparian forestremaining in California.

Habitat here is sanctuary for a number of rare species, including oneof the largest populations of western yellow-billed cuckoo in the west.The state’s northern-most population of summer tanager, along withone of the largest communities of Southwestern willow flycatcher inCalifornia, also thrives here.

These 2,894 acres include a walking trail that leaves the cozy visitorscenter and meanders through a cottonwood forest, butterfly garden andother natural attractions. A regular schedule of festivals and workshopsthroughout the year highlight the ecological contributions of the global-ly-important region.

The Mountain Communities of southwestern Kern County haveearned their birding fame as well. This is one of the few places where thepatient watcher may find the majestic, and elusive, California condor.

These magnificent birds, boasting an average wingspan of nine feet,currently number less than 200 in the wild. Fully protected by state andfederal law, they’re now making a comeback in this scenic area of theLos Padres National Forest.

The 53,000-acre Sespe Condor Sanctuary sits just to the south, butpublic entry is restricted. Fortunately for birders, condors have beenknown to make the trip north toward the communities of Frazier Parkand Pine Mountain Club, which are an easy flight from their nesting

sites on the nearby - but inaccessible - high rocky cliffs. Today, condors are most frequently seen in flight over the Mount

Pinos Ranger District (34580 Lockwood Valley Road, Frazier Park; 661-245-3731). Visit the Condor Observation Site at the summit of MountPinos or the Valle Vista Condor Observation Site for the best opportuni-ty to see condors. Both are popular locations where the birds may bebest observed from June through October.

For thousands of years, the Central Valley provided habitat for mil-lions of migratory waterfowl and wetland species. That legacy is pre-served at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge (661-725-2767), located 18miles west of Delano at the intersection of Garces Highway and Corco-ran Road.

This 11,249-acre wetland consists of natural valley grasslands, ripari-an corridor and developed marsh. A new visitor center and office com-plex, opened in late 1999, heads a 6.5-mile graveled auto route throughthe wetlands.

A lake once covered nearly half a million acres here. The currentrefuge is remnant habitat, but it still supports a surprising number ofspecies. Not only is the KNWR wintering habitat for migrating birds,shorebirds, marsh and waterfowl; the refuge also provides habitat forupland species. The endangered Buena Vista Lake shrew, San Joaquinkit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard all make their home here.

Birding here is a seasonal experience. Waterfowl numbers peak inwinter, with as many as 80,000 in late December and early January.Shorebirds begin foraging for food here in the spring, while broods ofducks appear in the summer. Fall brings migratory waterfowl stoppingto “refuel” as they trek north to south along the Pacific Flyway.

Auto tours are permitted from sundown to sunset, with the parkingareas provided for additional viewing. Keep in mind that limited hunt-ing is permitted here – closing the tour route on Wednesdays and Satur-days from October through January.

A White Faced Ibis flies around theKern National Wildlife Refuge.


• Walk to R iver, Shops,

Taverns and Dining

• Ful ly Equipped Kitchens

• Cozy Living Rooms

• Satelite TV,VCR,DVD

• Private Drives &

Fenced Yards

• Pet & Child Friendly

• Two N ight Minimum Stay

(760) 376-4677 or (714) 761-0296 80 & 82 Siretta St. • Kernville, CA 93238

www.BettyBsJustinTyme.com


KERN’S LEGACY

James Dean’slast ride

Billboard markingJames Dean’s last stop

Remains of JamesDean’s Porsche Spyder

LLegends are made in Kern County, and in some cases this iswhere they draw their final breath.

The last known stops on the infamous death ride of American pop-culture icon James Dean were made right here in Kern County. His briefcareer and sudden death left a lasting impression on a generation offans. Thousands of visitors have since come to trace the last steps of hisfateful final trip.

On the morning of September 30, 1955, Dean left Los Angeles withmechanic Rolf Wütherich in a Porsche 550 Spyder nicknamed “LittleBastard.” Dean was eager to get to Salinas, where he planned to com-pete in a race.

The car had been in Dean’s possession for a mere 12 dayswhen, to familiarize himself with the machine, hemade a last-minute decision to drive the Spyder tothe race site. The Porsche was originally sup-posed to be taken by trailer to the site courtesyDean’s friend and racing mentor, Bill Hick-man. The new plan had Hickman following ina second car along with Sanford Roth, a pho-tographer for Collier’s Weekly who was plan-ning a story about Dean and racing.

Instead it was Roth who would take thenow-infamous crash scene photos.

Many of the roads Dean and friends took

on that fateful day have changed with the passage of more than 50 years.Today, Interstate 5 covers most of the old road Dean would have taken,but the route is much the same. Travel north on I-5 over the steep gradeknown as the Grapevine, then merge with northbound State Route 99.

Mettler’s Station, near the junction with State Route 166, is whereDean received a speeding ticket from California State Route Patrol Offi-cer Otie Hunter at around 3:30 pm. The citation, complete with Dean’ssignature, has been reproduced for sale in novelty stores as the chillinglytitled “Last Autograph.” Both Dean and Hickman were cited for speed-ing, driving 65 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

You can still see the outline of Dean’s name affixed to a tele-phone pole — all that remains of an aluminum like-

ness of the actor and his car that once marked thespot. The Old 99 leading into Bakersfield asDean would have seen it is now Union Avenue.

Dean’s next and last stop was at Blackwell’sCorner at the junction of State Routes 46 and 33in northeast Kern County. This spot is also anhour’s drive west of Minter Field in Shafter whereDean competed in a race in May 1955, placingthird overall and first in his division. A museumthere includes a section devoted to Dean with areproduction of the race program, newspaperclippings detailing the event, a map of the track,


and a photo of Dean.At Blackwell’s Corner, Dean refueled then bought an apple and a

Coke before meeting up with some fellow racers. Legend has it that hereHickman advised Dean to watch his speed because of cross traffic.

According to historian and author Warren Beath, Dean and Roth hadone last disquieting exchange at Blackwell’s Corner, which Beathrecounts in his book The Death of James Dean.

“How do you like the Spyder now?” Roth asked. “I want to keep thiscar for a long time—a real long time,” Dean replied. This follows a pat-tern of eerie events in the aftermath of Dean’s death.

Though the two-lane road has changed little since Dean sped away tohis death, the original Blackwell’s Corner building burned to the groundunder mysterious circumstances in 1967.

Donald Turnipseed, a 23-year-old college student turning from StateRoute 46 to State Route 41, crossed the center line and hit Dean’s vehiclehead-on. Dean was pronounced dead later that evening at a nearby hos-pital. At the town of Cholame just west of the crash site, a small markerand rock garden memorialize Dean’s final moments.

Some speculate that Dean’s ghost still haunts the area. Many claim tohave seen a ghostly Porsche traveling those final miles. According toBeath’s website (www.whokilledjamesdean.com), a popular legend has alocal witness saying, “He drives that road every night between sundownand sunrise. It is as though he is looking for someone.”

Dean’s fans regularly make the pilgrimage to retrace his final drive onthe anniversary of the fateful trip. Many come with replica Porsche Spy-ders, some even dressed as Dean. They travel the same route, includingthe portion of State Route 46 that five decades later was renamed JamesDean Highway.

Kern County has other connections to the Dean legend.Second unit work for Dean’s final film, Giant, was filmed in Kern

County — though Dean was not on hand for the famous oil well /reflecting pool scene.

Aside from racing at Minter Field, Dean reportedly saw his first Spy-der in Bakersfield.

Truth takes a detour into Dean myth at now-closed Beryl’s Cafe atBear Mountain Boulevard and Old 99, where Dean was said to havecarved his initials into a tree. The site was never found.

Dean also made references to Bakersfield in a Warner Bros. Presentsspot filmed two weeks before his death. In rare footage available online,Dean spoke of his racing experience in Bakersfield. When prompted togive advice for young people who drive, he ad-libbed the now chillingphrase, “Take it easy driving — the life you save might be mine.”

Location where Deanreceived speeding ticket

Approximately 45+ Minute Flight Approximately 45+ Minute FlightWeather Permitting Weather Permitting

Receive A Professor Muldoon Pin Receive A Professor Muldoon Pin

Receive A Personalized Flight Certificate Receive A Personalized Flight Certificate

Celebration Of Flight Afterward With Celebration Of Flight Afterward WithChampagne, Sparkling Cider Or Water Champagne, Sparkling Cider Or Water

Flying 7 Days A Week, Year-Round Flying 7 Days A Week, Year-RoundWeather Permitting Weather Permitting

P ROFESSOR M ULDOON ’ S HOT AIR BALLOONS & FLYING MACHINES WWW.PROFESSORMULDOON.COM

For More Info Call

(661) 823-7663 Out of Town 1-800-822-3333

FLYING SINCE 1979

Gift Certificates AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS GOOD

YEAR-ROUND-WEATHER PERMITTING

$195 PER PERSON SECOND PERSON

HALF OFF


KIOSKS

Look for the icon in the maps section

of this guide for kiosk locations.

WWelcome to the cutting edge of visitor information technology.Four years in development, the Kern County Visitor Kiosk Network

provides access to travel information around the clock at key locationsthroughout the region. The system helps resolve the greatest limitationfaced by traditional visitors centers: questions don’t always pop up on a9-to-5 schedule.

Kern’s innovative “virtual visitors centers” use touch-screen technolo-gy similar to popular cell phone PDAs and are operated much like videogaming devices familiar to casino customers. But unlike their predeces-sors, these kiosks are designed to handle the Kern County elements,meaning they can be placed in virtually any area frequented by travelers.

The weatherized large-format screens, the first of their kind in theworld, offer county-wide dining and lodging information at the touch ofa finger. A calendar of events keeps you up to date on what’s happeningand where, helping you to make the most of your visit. Computerizedmaps (provided by Google) provide way-finding capabilities for thosewho may have misplaced themselves during their Kern County journeyor just need a little help getting from Point A to Point B.

While you’re finding a place to eat, play or relax; take the time tolearn a little about us.

A number of famous names hail from Kern County. Kiosks tell thetales of some of our best and brightest. Country music legends BuckOwens and Merle Haggard, stock car drivers Kevin Harvick and CaseyMears, NFL legend Frank Gifford and alternative rockers Korn all haveroots in Kern County. Their stories are among the many you’ll find pre-served here.

You can also discover information about Kern’s industries or get a feelfor the local community – all courtesy this new and innovative system.

Think of it as a hotel concierge that never sleeps.Because the network is constantly being updated, you can rest

assured that you’ll be provided the most current information available tous. Best of all, most of these centers are never closed. Whether it is noonor midnight, the information you need is right at your fingertips.

BAKERSFIELDKern County AdministrativeCenter1115 Truxtun Avenue(Office hours only)

Kern County Visitors Center2101 Oak Street

Kern Veterans Memorial/Amtrak601 Truxtun Avenue

William Thomas Air Terminal3701 Wings Way

BORONTwenty Mule Team Museum26962 Twenty Mule Team Road

JAWBONE CANYONJawbone Station VisitorsCenter2811 Jawbone Canyon, Cantil

KERNVILLECircle Park11041 Kernville Road

LAKE ISABELLACrossroads Shell6209 Lake Isabella Boulevard

LEBECFlying J Travel Plaza42810 Frazier Mountain ParkRoad

MOJAVELegacy Park1434 Flightline Street

ROSAMONDAlbertson’s Supermarket2547 W. Rosamond Boulevard

TAFTTaft District Chamber ofCommerce400 Kern Street

TEHACHAPIGreater Tehachapi Chamberof Commerce209 E. Tehachapi Boulevard

Cutting edge technology

19th

ON SALEJune 1

7

Tickets: 800.884.6472or museum.nhra.com

•Nostalgia Drag Racing• Giant Vendor Midway• Huge SwapMeet

Andmore

OCTOBER 15-17OCTOBER 15-17SAVE THE DATE!

19th

ON SALEJune 1

7

Tickets: 800.884.6472or museum.nhra.com

•Nostalgia Drag Racing• Giant Vendor Midway• Huge SwapMeet

Andmore

OCTOBER 15-17OCTOBER 15-17SAVE THE DATE!


KERN COUNTY


We invite you to stay with us. • Massage Therapist on site • Free WIFI • Full service Restaurant • Daily newspaper delivery • 3000 s. foot club house

5025 Wible Road | Bakersfield, CA 93313 | www.bakersfieldrvresort.com PH (661) 833-9998 | FX (661) 833-9994 | [email protected]

Premiere Rally Destination Luxury, style, and comfort combine to make Bakersfield RV Resort the ideal destination for your vacation travels. With exceptional amenities and superior customer service, we are a one of a kind RV resort that is truly an oasis in Central California.

$ 39 00 per night

BAKERSFIELD


SOUTHWEST KERN COUNTY

Old Time Oil Company Camp on 8 Acres • 1917 Original Well • Working Blacksmith Shop • Cook House • Original “Shotgun House.”

Thurs. - Sat. 10 am to 4:00 pm • Sun. 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Closed Holidays

Free Admission • Donations Accepted


JUST MINUTES FROM… JUST MINUTES FROM… SKIING • RAFTING SKIING • RAFTING HIKING• FISHING HIKING• FISHINGLocated In The A lta Sierra CommunityWithin The Sequoia’s Nationa l Forest

• Sleeps 10 - 10 Beds •• Fully Equipped Kitchen •• Near Dining/Drinks • At Greenhorn Grill• 2 Huge Decks W/Bbq & Fire Pit •

(805) 389-1937 o r (805) 987-3376

Visit our website for rates & infowww.mcwuccabin.cooprentals.com

or call


www.buttonwillowraceway.com

Food Service, Gift Shop, RV Hookups

Spectators Welcome!!

24551 Lerdo Hwy. Buttonwillow, CA. 93206 • 661-764-5333

3.1 mile paved road race track. Racing every weekend plus midweek testing and motorcycles.

$10 admission on weekends.

Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Vintage, Go-karts, Sports Racers and Motorcycles

NORTHWEST KERN COUNTY

www.buttonwillowraceway.com

Food Service, Gift Shop, RV Hookups

Spectators Welcome!!

24551 Lerdo Hwy. Buttonwillow, CA. 93206 • 661-764-5333

3.1 mile paved road race track. Racing every weekend plus midweek testing and motorcycles.

$10 admission on weekends.

Open Wheel, Stock Cars, Vintage, Go-karts, Sports Racers and Motorcycles


S AIL PLANE R IDES Over The Southern Sierras From

Dennison & Highline Rd. • Tehachapi, CA • 661-822-5267

SOAR!

SKYLARK NORTH SKYLARK NORTH

RV parking,

restaurant and picnic

area Gift certificates

available $65 00 $65 00

FREE ADMISSION Native Grinding Stones, Dance Arbor, Tule Hut, Lamada, Sweat Lodge, Prayer Garden, Artifacts Display Cases, Gift Shop & Library

“Nuui Cunni” (Our House) Native American Cultural Center & Museum

2600 Highway 155, Lake Isabella, CA Hours: Tues-Sat May 1-Nov 1, 9am-4pm Nov. 1-April 30, 9am-3pm

(760) 549-0800 Email: [email protected] www.nuuicunni.org

Farmer’s Market: Winter hours every Sat. 9am-2pm Summer hours every Sat. 7am-1pm

KERN RIVER VALLEY


TEHACHAPI MOUNTAINS

Visit our galleries at these locations: Larry E. Reider Gallery, 2000 K St., Suite 110

The Younger Gallery, 1430 Truxtun Ave., Suite 105Center For The Arts at JP Jennings, 1700 Chester Avenue

661.324.9000

Celebrating theAccess, Advocacywith

kernarts.org

and Education for over 30 years.

Arts


INDIAN WELLS VALLEY

100 E. Las Flores Ave. Ridgecrest, CA 93555-3654

(760) 375-6900

• Death Valley Tourist Center • Northern Mojave Visitor’s Center • Exhibits • Museum Store • Petroglyph Tours

www.maturango.org


Tierra del Sol GOLF COURSE FREE

Lg. Bucket of Range Balls (with purchase of green fee & cart)

Expires 1/1/2011

(760) 373-2384 10300 N. Loop Blvd. California City, CA 93505

www.tdsgolfclub.com

AEROSPACE VALLEY


GOLF

ARVINSSyyccaammoorree CCaannyyoonn GGoollff CCoouurrssee500 Kenmar LanePar: 72661-854-3163

BEAR VALLEYSPRINGSOak Tree Country Club (Private)29541 Rolling Oak DrivePar: 72Club Pro: Duane Gore661-821-5144

BAKERSFIELDBBaakkeerrssffiieelldd CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb (Private)4200 Country Club DrivePar: 72Club Pro: Bruce Burroughs661-871-4000

KKeerrnn RRiivveerr GGoollff CCoouurrsseeRudal Road and Lake Ming DrivePar: 70Club Pro: Jim Foss661-872-5128

TThhee LLiinnkkss aatt RRiivveerrllaakkeess RRaanncchh5201 Riverlakes DrivePar: 72Club Pro: Cory Thomas661-587-LINK

NNoorrtthh KKeerrnn GGoollff CCoouurrssee17412 Quality RoadPar: 72Club Pro: Sam Barton Jr.661-399-0347

RRiioo BBrraavvoo CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb15200 Casa Club DrivePar: 72Club Pro: Jim Kiger661-871-4653

SSeevveenn OOaakkss CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb(Private)2000 Grand Lakes AvenuePar: 72Club Pro: Joe Haggerty661-664-6474

SSttoocckkddaallee CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb(Private)7001 Stockdale HighwayPar: 71Club Pro: Randall Mudge661-832-0310

SSuunnddaallee CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb (Private)6218 Sundale AvenuePar: 72Club Pro: Dave Bolar661-831-5224

CALIFORNIA CITYCCaalliiffoorrnniiaa CCiittyy PPaarr--33 GGoollff CCoouurrssee10290 California City Blvd.760-373-7165

TTiieerrrraa ddeell SSooll10300 N. Loop BoulevardPar: 72Club Pro: Bob Dacey760-373-2384

DELANODDeellaannoo GGoollff CCoouurrssee104 S. Lexington StreetPar: 64661-725-7527

KERNVILLEKKeerrnn VVaalllleeyy GGoollff CCoouurrssee9472 Burlando RoadPar: 72760-376-2828

PINE MOUNTAINCLUBPPiinnee MMoouunnttaaiinn CClluubb GGoollff CCoouurrssee(Private)2524 Beechwood WayPar: 60661-242-3734

TAFTBBuueennaa VViissttaa GGoollff CCoouurrssee10256 Golf Course RoadPar: 72Club Pros: Alan Sorensen, Chad Sorensen661-763-5124

RIDGECRESTCChhiinnaa LLaakkee GGoollff CCoouurrssee411 Midway AvenuePar: 72760-939-2990

TEHACHAPIHHoorrssee TThhiieeff CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb28950 Horse Thief DrivePar: 72661-823-8571

WASCOWWaassccoo VVaalllleeyy RRoossee GGoollff CCoouurrssee301 N. Leonard AvenuePar: 721-888-758-8301

PRACTICEFACILITIESJJoossee’’ss GGoollff RRaannggee5101 Stine Rd., Bakersfield661-398-5650

K

While every effort is made to ensure complete listings, Kern County Board of Trade assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

Kern County features a wide variety of beautiful andchallenging courses guaranteed to tempt everyone frombeginners to scratch golfers.

These prime courses have played host to several profession-al events, including stops on the Hogan and Nike tours, and anumber of Unites States Open and Professional Golfers Asso-ciation qualifiers. The climate is ideal - sunny, dry and warm.Mountain courses provide a respite from summer heat, whilelow humidity makes valley and desert links equally attractive.All but the highest elevations experience mild winters.

Nowhere in California will you get as much value for yourgolfing dollar. Weekday green fees start at less than $30 onpublic courses, and many private links offer limited reciprocalplay with your hometown club membership.

Great golf abounds in Kern


WINE COUNTRY

Magic in a bottle

TThose ‘other’ wine regions better watch out. The Tehachapi areais ready to stake its claim as California’s latest hotbed of viticulture.

Sentiment is growing that the area’s unique conditions for growingwine grapes are leading to something magical in the bottle.

The tale actually began in 2002 when Bob and Patty Souza took a gam-ble, planting Primitivo Zinfandel grapes (using seedlings cloned from100-year-old plants) in the Cummings Valley just west of Tehachapi. Theregion is known more for ranches and high-end private communities,making it an unlikely location for a premium wine operation. It was on aleap of faith that the Souza Family Vineyard came into existence.

“I was surprised that nobody had ever tried to do a commercial winemaking operation in this area before,” Bob Souza remarked. “The condi-tions for growing wine grapes are ideal. We can grow things here thatyou can’t grow anywhere else in the world.”

Hot days, breezy evenings, decidedly rocky soil, and the high elevationall lend themselves to slower ripening of grapes. Slow may not be a wel-come word when you’re pounding the table for a glass, but it does makefor conditions that boost the flavor and provide for exceptional wines.

Just how exceptional the product would prove to be came as a shock.Wine-making is big competition, and it’s traditional for start-ups to

perfect the process before testing their mettle against others. Wines froma first harvest (or crush) simply don’t get entered into competition. Butwhen you’re new to the game, sometimes it’s better if you don’t knowthe rules.

The Souza’s Primitivo made its competitive debut at the 2008 editionof the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest face-off ofAmerican wines in the world. Over 1,500 vineyards submitted in excess


of 4,200 bottles and waited for the pronouncements of 60 professionaljudges.

Chalk one up for the locals. Released under the Tehachapi Wine andCattle Company label, the 2005 vintage scored a coveted silver medal.

When good news comes, you have to share it. July 2008 brought thegrand opening of the Souza Family Vineyard (26877 Cummings ValleyRoad; 661-822-9233). The Tuscan-inspired attraction is open Fridaythrough Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm and includes a tasting room andgift shop where visitors are treated to scenic views of the vineyard andthe Cummings Valley.

A stone’s throw away is Triassic Legacy Vineyard, planted in thespring of 2008. Although both Souza and Triassic grow Primitivo Zin-fandel grapes (among others), a difference in soil between the two loca-tions promises a different flavor among the products.

Triassic Legacy’s name says a great deal about its wine. The moniker isderived from an isolated ridge of 220 million-year-old rocks (the Triassicgeologic period) upon which the vineyard was planted. The rich, rockysoil on a sunny south-facing slope reward Triassic Legacy with winegrapes of exceptional character.

While one might expect the two to be in competition, the growth ofthe region has benefits for both. Inspired by the Souza’s success, TriassicLegacy unveiled its own tasting room in late 2009. Its convenient loca-tion (24627 Cummings Valley Road; 661-822-5341) makes it conven-ient for wine connoisseurs to sample wares from both.

For an evening out, the Wine and Cheese Cellar in Tehachapi (695Tucker Road; 661-822-6300) is an upscale venue serving wine andcheeses alongside a fine dining menu sure to please the most discerningof palates. Wine connoisseurs, and those who aspire to be such, caneven purchase wine club memberships.

Seekers of a laid-back relaxing experience can choose from a vastselection of wines, pair it with just the right cheese, and mellow out to

the sounds of acoustical guitar, folk singing and soft rock. Evening per-formances by local artists are a regular attraction.

With all of this going on, the wine-making world is paying attention.A move is underway to recognize the Tehachapi Valley as an “appella-tion,” a geographic name under which wine growers can identify andmarket wines.

George Gonzales, co-owner of Triassic Legacy Vineyard and presidentof the Tehachapi Mountain Valleys Wine Growers Association, believesthat the region has a good chance to gain approval.

“It would identify the region as a unique wine-growing area, just likeNapa or Sonoma,” he explained. “We’re becoming well known in thewine business and people are starting to come from all over to enjoyTehachapi wine. They’ve heard about what we’re doing.

“They understand that Tehachapi is something special.”


TThe arts are alive and thriving. From the accredited BakersfieldMuseum of Art to diverse theater offerings and musical experiences,Kern County holds time-honored events and new traditions alike at thecenter of its creative community.

Bakersfield, Kern County’s largest city, supplies much in the way ofcultural experiences. The Bakersfield Museum of Art (1930 R Street;661-323-7219) offers five major exhibits per year plus a rotating perma-nent collection. Visitors can call ahead for a docent tour or spend theday taking in its diverse galleries at their own pace. The local focus cou-pled with world-class art makes the BMOA a hidden treasure.

Visitors can view and purchase local art at the Gallery of Art at theEast Hills Mall, (3000 Mall View Road; 661-872-2806), presented bythe Bakersfield Art Association. The gallery showcases both profession-al and amateur works from oils and watercolors to pottery, woodworkand mixed media. The association also offers classes and workshopsthroughout the year, many taught by professional artists of note.

The 2010-11 season marks the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra’s78th year. The symphony performs about 40 concerts per season withmost at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Theater. Other performances are givenat various locations throughout Kern County. For information or toview the season’s calendar, visit www.bakersfieldsymphony.org or call661-323-7928.

Also in Bakersfield’s downtown district, the Spotlight Theatre (162219th Street; 661-634-0692) provides an intimate theater-going experi-ence. Opened in the summer of 1999, the Spotlight hosts a full slate of

productions from musicals and classics to contemporary theater. Showsare held on weekends and often include Sunday matinees.

Gaslight Melodrama Theatre and Music Hall (12748 Jomani Drive;661-587-3377) is as distinctly Bakersfield as oil and agriculture. In theclassic melodrama tradition, most productions offer audiences thechance to be a part of the show every weekend. The Christmas seasonbrings additional performances – up to eight shows per week.

Stars Theater Restaurant (1931 Chester Avenue; 661-325-6100)offers a combined dining and live theater experience popular with indi-viduals and tour groups alike. Award-winning gourmet meals couplenicely with performances that highlight the best of local talent. Curtainstypically rise Thursday through Sunday, but special group nights maybe arranged. With room for 175 guests to enjoy both dinner and show,large groups are encouraged to contact Stars for a list of group rates anddiscounts.

The arts aren’t confined to Bakersfield. All of Kern has plenty to bragabout.

Ridgecrest and the Greater Indian Wells Valley boast the CommunityLight Opera and Theatre Association (1425 North Inyo Street, Ridge-crest; 760-446-2411). The typical season consists of three productions(including one musical). In addition, CLOTA puts on fundraisingevents such as dinner theatre and poetry readings.

A Stone’s Throw Art Gallery (13 Big Blue Road, Kernville; 760-376-2239) offers the unique artwork of local painters, photographers, sculp-tors and craftsmen. All work is original, for sale, and has a unique, con-

Arts are alive and thriving

ARTS SCENE

Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra


temporary feel. That same location is also home to Dan Mancini’s FineArt & Photography, featuring paintings and photography by noted localartists.

In cooperation with the Kern River Valley Art Association, the KernValley Museum Art Gallery (49 Big Blue Road, Kernville; 760-376-6683)also exhibits the work of local artists. Displays change monthly and areavailable for purchase.

Pringle’s Art Gallery of Kernville (121 Piute Drive, Kernville; 760-376-6527) features works by Native Americans as well as local andinternational artists, boasting a wide selection of originals, limited edi-tions and ceramics. Pringle’s includes a working studio and features aweekend artist who creates painted river rock.

The Rich Pelletreau Wildlife Gallery and Studio (6700 WoffordHeights Blvd., Wofford Heights; 760-376-1403) specializes in wildlifeart and presents originals and prints from over 100 professional artists.The gallery, located in a 900 square foot log cabin on the north shore ofIsabella Lake in the Kern River Valley, has been deemed one of the finestsingularly owned wildlife art galleries in California. The gallery’s everchanging inventory contains original works, limited edition lithographs,laser and photo prints, and various forms of sculpture.

Tehachapi Valley Arts Association (100 W. Tehachapi Blvd.,Tehachapi; 661-822-6062) is comprised of area artists and crafts per-sons who create unique, high-quality gifts and decor. Creations includeoriginal paintings, prints and sculptures displayed in a fine arts gallery.Pottery, photography, woodwork, hand-painted gifts, wearable art,hand-sewn quilts and soft home decor are among other items availableseven days a week.

The Mountain Communities boast one of Kern’s newest additions, theWork of Heart Gallery at Frazier Park (3020 Johnson Road; 661-245-3166). This eclectic center features the works of local artisans in medi-ums including paints, beads, glass and more. Doors are open Fridaythrough Sunday only, with items on display and available for sale.

Tap into the diverse art scene to experience the essence of Kern Coun-ty – an expression of both culture and heritage. From Native Americanand cowboy art to wildlife renderings, the spirit of Kern County can onlybe captured in its artists’ interpretations.

Via Arte Italian StreetPainting Festival


MUSIC

Merle Haggard at The Fox inBakersfield.

Dwight Yoakam and Brad Paisley, both of whom were heavily influencedby the famous Bakersfield Sound. This two-time Country Music Associ-ation Club of the Year continues to draw a host of nationally-known per-formers from the newly discovered to seasoned favorites.

The Kern County Museum (3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield; 661-852-5000) also celebrates this heritage in the museum’s main facility. Adisplay among its revolving exhibits pays lasting tribute to the artistswho shaped this innovative sound thatshook the country music world.

Trout’s Nightclub and Saloon(805 N. Chester Avenue; 661-399-6700) stakes a claim as thelast real Bakers-field honky-tonk

Bakersfield Sound lives here

GGo beyond the cornfields of “Hee Haw” to the hometown pulseof innovative rock and roll and discover why the sound America listensto has many of its roots right here.

Kern County’s musical heritage lives on in its diversity. From notablemusic halls to major concert venues, from defining country music tocarving out a new genre of hard-pounding rock, Kern County is hometo it all.

Any country music fan will tell you that if it isn’t Nashville, it had bet-ter be Bakersfield. Home to the “Bakersfield Sound” pioneered by home-town heroes Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, this is the hotbed of Cow-boy Swing.

The life of a country music legend is still celebrated at Buck Owens’Crystal Palace (2800 Buck Owens Blvd.; 661-328-7560). This award-winning theater, restaurant and museum stands as a lasting monumentto the success of Bakersfield’s favorite son.

The Crystal Palace regularly hosts popular country stars including

CA

LIFO

RN

IAN

FIL

E P

HO

TO


saloon and dance hall. Here you’ll enjoy two kinds of music, Countryand Western. Trout’s remains one of the few places you can still regu-larly hear that infamous Bakersfield Sound. Each month, Trout’sboasts over 100 events on two stages, which means it features morelive country than any “joint” in central California.

Trout’s embodies 70 years of honky-tonk history. Performers suchas Merle Haggard, Brooks and Dunn, Marty Stuart and John Mellen-camp have appeared here. With an archive of over 25,000 photos, itsniche as one of California’s legendary clubs is undeniable. Ever mind-ful of the region’s history, Trout’s Blackboard Stage is named after oneof Bakersfield’s most famous musical landmarks.

Bakersfield’s music scene may be more than a little bit country, butits most noteworthy local band is definitely beyond rock and roll.

Korn, which began as the Bakersfield-based metal band LAPD,launched an alternative metal sound that has made the group among themost popular and provocative to emerge during the post-grunge era.

For Korn fans, the access road behind Rabobank Arena (1001 Trux-tun Avenue; 661-852-7300) in downtown Bakersfield — now knownas Korn Row — is a must-see, and the plaza in front of the arena bears acommemorative plaque dedicated to its hometown boys.

From a revolutionary country music past to its ties to a hard-rockingpresent, Kern County continues to foster its local talent. Its stages andclubs are a great place to enjoy the vibe and spot the next rising star.

Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens sing "Streets ofBakersfield" in 1988

Korn

The Bakersfield Music Theatre&

The Stars Theatre RestaurantBakersfield’s Premier Theatre and Dining Experience!

Since 1969, the Bakersfield Music Theatre/Stars Theatre Restaurant has been an asset to Downtown Bakersfield as well as providing the best in Broadway-style musicals, comedies and children's programs. In addition, we feature local talent to help further promote the arts throughout Kern County and beyond. We also feature:

Sunday Matinees and Show-only pricingFlexible group rates and discountsLunch served daily in our loungeBanquet and meeting facilities

For Reservations or more information call the BMT/Stars Box Office at

(661) 325-6100

CA

LIFO

RN

IAN

FIL

E P

HO

TO


“Real” Old Westfound in Kern

WILD WEST

Rankin Ranch

VVisit Kern County to enjoy a taste of the ‘real’ Old West. Touted as one of the last great outposts of the original “Wild West,”

Kern County proudly celebrates this colorful heritage – paying homageto the days of the pack mule and the wagon train.

The era when wagons pulled ore (and people) across the MojaveDesert comes alive again at the Twenty Mule Team Museum (26962Twenty Mule Team Road; 760-762-5810) and the Borax Visitors Center(14486 Borax Road; 760-762-7588), both in Boron. Take the time totour the visitors center where you’ll find that historic borax still has aplace in many of the goods we use today.

If active relaxation is more your speed, visit historic Rankin Ranch(23500 Walker Basin Road, Caliente; 661-867-2511). Cozy mountaincabins are the best place to rest up after horseback riding, swimming andhiking. With daily maid service and the beauty of the surroundingWalker Basin, Rankin Ranch takes getting away from it all to a new level.

To experience army life in the Old West, head to Fort Tejon State His-toric Park (4201 Fort Tejon Road; 661-248-6692) near Lebec. Once theheadquarters of the United States Army Dragoons and Camel Corps, thepark now includes an interpretive center and regularly-scheduled CivilWar battle re-enactments. It’s here that the Old West is accurately re-cre-ated through living history demonstrations scheduled periodicallythroughout the year.

Kern County is also home to genuine ghost towns. Randsburg is the

quintessential “living ghost town.” The local populace has preserved thelook and feel of the early mining days: no stop lights, no gas stations, nomalls and no outside interference. It’s the ultimate get-away experience.

Silver City Ghost Town (3829 Lake Isabella Blvd.; 760-379-5146) atBodfish boasts 21 historic buildings presented in a state of “arresteddecay” to show how gold outposts looked after the ore ran out and min-ers moved on. However, residents who once lived here are rumored notto have moved on entirely. Many believe that Silver City is haunted, andthe site is listed in the National Directory of Haunted Places.

For the cowboy at heart, the Cowboy Memorial and Library (40371Walker Basin Road; 661-867-2410) at Caliente features a hands-onmuseum dedicated to preserving the heritage of the American Cowboy.Both 19th and 20th-century memorabilia are showcased here.

Kern County Museum in Bakersfield (3801 Chester Ave.; 661-852-5000) features a collection of more than 56 historic exhibits assembledin a 16-acre park. Storied buildings throughout the county have beencollected and reassembled in a town-like setting. Step back in time byentering an authentic blacksmith shop, court house, jail, stage office orschool house.

It doesn’t take much to leap back in time. It just takes a trip to KernCounty, home of cowboys, ghost towns and their ghosts, and the adven-turous spirit (or spirits) that continue to call Kern County home.


A rich cultural historyMUSEUMS & CULTURAL SITES

BAKERSFIELDBuena Vista Museum of Natural History2018 Chester AvenuePhone: 661-324-6350; Web Site: www.sharktoothhill.org

Explore local paleon-tology, geology andanthropology with thisone-of-a-kind display ofnatural artifacts, some ofwhich are found nowhereelse in the world. Amongthe museum’s treasures isthe largest private collec-tion of Miocene fossils inthe world, chroniclingKern County’s previousinhabitants (including sealions and sharks). Its lab-oratory is a workinglearning center wheretrained volunteers clean,repair, reconstruct andotherwise preserve fossilsand other articles of natu-

ral history. You can also see depictions of volcanoes, earthquakes, floodsand other geologic phenomena. The museum is open Thursday throughSaturday from 10 am to 5 pm and by appointment.

TTThhee hhiissttoorryy ooff KKeerrnn CCoouunnttyy hhaass bbeeeennpreserved in all of its many forms atmuseums and cultural exhibitionsaround the county. Facilities highlightKern’s heritage, the cowboy lifestyle, ourcontributions to technology, our indus-tries and the cultures that made thecounty what it is today.

Please contact the facility of yourchoice for specific tour information.

Shafter DepotMuseum

Buena Vista Museumof Natural History


California Living Museum10500 Alfred Harrell HighwayPhone: 661-872-2256; Web Site: www.calmzoo.org

Located on 14 park-like acres, California Living Museum featuresover 80 animal species indigenous to Kern County. Get personal with analbino king snake, desert tortoise, San Joaquin kit fox or road runner.CALM’s exhibits also include habitat for black bears, birds of prey andseveral species of foxes. A waterfowl pond with resident mallardsattracts migrating birds in both spring and fall. Younger visitors will alsoenjoy the deer yard and underground reptile house. CALM is open dailyfrom 9 am to 5 pm through most of the year, with gates closing at 4 pmNovember through January.

Kern County Museum3801 Chester AvenuePhone: 661-852-5000; Web Site: www.kcmuseum.org

There’s something for the whole family here. The 16-acre site featuresthe Lori Brock Children’s Museum and crowd-pleasing outdoor exhibitswith 56 restored historic buildings. The award-winning exhibition“Black Gold: The Oil Experience” provides hands-on display that chil-dren and adults alike aren’t soon to forget. The museum’s main facilityfeatures regularly changing exhibits including a display, opened in April

2006, paying lasting tribute to the Bakersfield Sound. The Kern CountyMuseum is one of the select facilities accredited by the American Associ-ation of Museums. Tours of the grounds are usually self-guided, butgroups are encouraged to call ahead for a guided tour. The museum isopen daily from 10 am to 5 pm (noon to 5 pm on Sundays).

BORONBorax Visitors Center14486 Borax RoadPhone: 760-762-7588; Web Site: www.borax.com/borax6.htmlView one of the richest borate deposits on the planet from the Borax Vis-itors Center, perched on the lip of California’s largest open-pit mine.The center details the role of mining and minerals in visitors’ daily lives.Delve into the geology of the pit, the mining and processing of borateores, and discover the hundreds of products that use borax — such asdetergents, soaps and fiberglass. Check out the collection area, whereguests can collect their own borate minerals. An original Twenty MuleTeam wagon adorns the entrance. The Borax Visitors Center is openseven days a week (except holidays) from 9 am to 5 pm.

Colonel Vernon P. Saxon Jr. Aerospace Museum26922 Twenty Mule Team RoadPhone: 760-762-6600; Web Site: www.saxonaerospacemuseum.com

This is a must see for any aerospace and technology buff. The SaxonAerospace Museum focuses on the flight history of Kern County’s “Aero-space Valley.” Located near Edwards Air Force Base, this region has wit-nessed thousands of experimental test flights for NASA, the UnitedStates Air Force and private industry. The museum celebrates achieve-ments in flight that have taken place in the area including the first break-ing of the sound barrier, the first hypersonic flight, world speed recordsfor a winged aircraft, and the first landing of the Space Shuttle. Key dis-plays at the museum include an F-4 Fighter and flight suits and helmetsfrom different eras and countries. Sharing its grounds with the TwentyMule Team Museum, the facility is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

Twenty Mule Team Museum26962 Twenty Mule Team RoadPhone: 760-762-5810; Web Site: www.20muleteammuseum.com

The Twenty Mule Team Museum honors the days of the mule-drawncarts that hauled more than 20 million pounds of borax out of DeathValley between 1883 and 1889. The museum also holds artifacts fromlocal history. Exhibits include: a 1930s kitchen, a 1930s beauty shop, agranite rock and drill display, an ore bucket used to haul borax, a two-man mining exhibit, and a Santa Fe Railroad Depot. Located adjacent tothe Vernon P. Saxon Aerospace Museum, the Twenty Mule Team Muse-um is open seven days a week from 10 am to 4 pm.

CALIENTECowboy Memorial and Library40371 Walker Basin RoadPhone: 661-867-2410; Web Site: www.cowboymemorial.org

Preserving the lifestyle and authentic memorabilia of 19th and 20th-century cowboys, the Cowboy Memorial and Library endeavors to showpeople what life was really like for those who built the west. The muse-um features the largest collection of branding irons in the world alongwith varieties of saddles, spurs, hobbles, ropes and whips. There’s alsoan impressive outdoor display featuring a chuck wagon, buggy, western


Kern County Museum

California LivingMuseum


corral and other tools and trappings of trail life. The museum is locatedjust a few miles from the southern border of Sequoia National Park.Doors are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

FRAZIER PARKRidge Route Communities Museum3515 Park DrivePhone: 661-245-7747; Web Site: www.rrchs.org

The Ridge Route Communities Historical Society is dedicated to col-lecting and preserving the history and artifacts in the mountains southof Bakersfield. Historical items may be viewed in the museum’s exhibitroom and extensive files are available for visitors to view and research.Recent improvements included the reconstruction of a settler’s cabin, areplica Chumash hut, and the reconstruction of a 1930s-era fueling sta-tion. Hours of operation are seasonal: Friday through Sunday fromnoon to 5 pm in the summer, closing at 4 pm in winter.

KEENEThe National Chavez Center29700 Woodford-Tehachapi RoadPhone: 661-823-6134; Web Site: www.nationalchavezcenter.org

The National Chavez Center was established in 2004 as the officialmemorial dedicated to the legacy of activist Cesar Chavez. The visitorcenter is built around the renovated building where Chavez workedfrom 1971 to 1993 and showcases his office just as he left it. A theaterscreens films detailing Chavez’s life and his struggle to improve the con-ditions of farm workers. The 187-acre site also contains a memorial gar-den and a gift shop stocked with T-shirts, buttons, books and videos.This national landmark will also include a museum and a conferencecenter, all with the goal of educating people about Chavez’s methods ofnonviolent conflict reconciliation and his call for social change. TheNational Chavez Center is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily with theexception of major holidays.

KERNVILLEKern Valley Museum49 Big Blue RoadPhone: 760-376-6683; Web Site: www.kernvalley.com/kernvalleymuseum

The history and legends of the Old West are remembered in the KernRiver Valley, which has retained its western authenticity long after mostof California moved into the 20th Century. The Kern Valley Museumdetails the rich history of this storied valley. The museum offers docent-led special and educational tours. It also features displays dedicated toNative Americans, whose descendants still live here. Additional exhibitsinclude real gold from the valley’s gold mining days, cowboy brands andblacksmithing tools. A video library features the invasion of Hollywood,celebrating the many famous early movies westerns that filmed in theregion. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 4pm.

LAKE ISABELLANuui Cunni Native American Cultural Center2600 State Route 155Phone: 760-549-0800; Web Site: www.nuuicunni.org

The Nuui Cunni Native American Cultural Center is an intertribalcenter representing artifacts from the Paiute, Anasazi and Navajo peo-ple. The center, run by the Paiute Shoshone tribe, displays a collectionof local artifacts including drums, beadwork and rotating exhibits. Allvisitors are welcome to make their own souvenirs during craft days,Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Dream catchers, beading, oil paintingand gourd decorating are just a few of the authentic crafts taught duringthese sessions. Handmade items can also be purchased at the gift shop.Tuesday evenings the center hosts the Pakanapul Language Class from 4to 5 pm and Cultural Night from 5 to 7 pm. The Nuui Cunni NativeAmerican Cultural Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 amto 3 pm until April. In the late spring and summer months, the centerremains open until 4 pm.


The National Chavez Center


LAMONTWeedpatch Camp8701 Sunset BoulevardPhone: 661-832-1299; Web Site: www.weedpatchcamp.com

Weedpatch Camp still exists beyond the history books, the familylore, and John Steinbeck’s classic novel The Grapes of Wrath right herein Lamont. The wooden frame buildings that have replaced the camp’soriginal tin structures and tents mark the community that promisedDust Bowl survivors a better life for their families in California as chroni-cled in Steinbeck’s novel. This camp still houses migrant workers fromApril to September, but tours are available by arrangement. Tours aretailored to the audience, though everyone will want to see the originalpost office, the library, and the large community building – all restoredto their original condition.

MOJAVELegacy Park1434 Flightline StreetPhone: 661-824-2433; Web Site: www.mojaveairport.com

Located on the grounds of the Mojave Air and Space Port, America’sfirst official inland spaceport, is Legacy Park. Opened in 2008, the parkis a living testament to the innovations developed here. The massiveRotary Rocket roton, one of the first attempts at a reusable civilian spacevehicle, is among the permanent display pieces. A replica of Space-ShipOne, the civilian vehicle that captured the Ansari X Prize in 2004by finally conquering sub-orbital space, is on display. A “Legacy Wall”commemorates those who sacrificed all in the pursuit of technologicaldevelopment. Legacy Park is always open.

RANDSBURGRand Desert Museum161 Butte AvenuePhone: 760-374-2359; Web Site: www.randdesertmuseum.org

The Rand Desert Museum was founded in 1948 and is now a totallyvolunteer effort. Open weekends only (and major holiday Mondays)from 10 am to 4 pm, the Rand Desert Museum is dedicated to preserv-ing the history of Randsburg and the gold, silver and tungsten rush thatmade the area an Old West boom town. History artifacts and a gem andmineral collection highlight the exhibits. A walking tour of the sur-rounding “living ghost town” rounds out the experience.

RIDGECRESTMaturango Museum100 E. Las Flores AvenuePhone: 760-375-6900; Web Site: www.maturango.com

Trace the culture, nature and geology of the Mojave Desert and Indi-an Wells Valley. The Maturango Museum is famous for both on-site andoff-site offerings. The nearby Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lakeis home to the most extensive collection of petroglyphs in the westernhemisphere, which can be seen by the public only on authorized muse-um tours given on select weekends each spring and fall. Reservations arerequired due to security requirements, and tours are open to UnitedStates citizens only. The museum's collection of artifacts covers theentire history of the region, from meteorites that landed in the area topresentations on geothermal energy and mining operations. There areartifacts from native Californians, local minerals and fossils, and ahands-on children's discovery area. The museum also hosts lectures,

concerts and art exhibits featuring local talent. The museum is openfrom 10 am to 5 pm daily.

United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology1 Pearl Harbor Drive, China LakePhone: 760-939-3530; Web Site: www.chinalakemuseum.org

The largest collection of weaponry on display in the free world waitsin Ridgecrest. The United States Naval Museum of Armament and Tech-nology is one of only 12 public repositories authorized by the Navy, andthe only one in California. It’s a haven for technology buffs eager to viewachievements in naval air armament, along with a focus on the local mil-itary-civilian partnership that gave rise to the development of theseimpressive air weapons systems. The museum can be found on the baseat the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station and is open to the publicfrom 10 am to 4 pm each Monday through Saturday (closed on federalholidays). Guest passes for entrance to the base are available for muse-um visitors. A quick security clearance is required to obtain access.

ROSAMONDAir Force Flight Test Center Museum and NASA Dryden FlightResearch Facility405 S. Rosamond Blvd, Edwards Air Force BasePhone: 661-277-8050; Web Site: www.afftcmuseum.com

Glimpse the exciting world of flight with this visit to Edwards AirForce Base. This area near the communities of Mojave and Rosamond is


Maturango Museum

Air Force Flight Test Center Museum


home to more flight records than any single location on the planet.From the breaking of the sound barrier to the first flights of the SpaceShuttle, it’s all commemorated here. Your day-long visit includes a walk-ing tour at Dryden, a bus tour of the Edwards flight line, and a stop atthe Air Force Flight Test Center Museum. Tours can accommodate up to42 guests. This restricted zone currently opens its gates twice a month tovisitors (on the first and third Friday), with special tours for large groupsavailable by arrangement. In either case, security clearance is requiredso reservations are a must.

SHAFTERInsect Lore ‘Bugseum’ and Visitors Center132 S. Beech Street, ShafterPhone: 661-746-6047; Web Site: www.insectlore.com

Insect Lore has been fascinating children, families and educatorsthrough the wonder of science and nature for over 40 years. Now, this

privately-held corporation opens its doors to the world with a new2,500 square-foot “Bugseum” and Visitors Center. Ideal for childrenaged 4-12, visitors can learn about the lifecycles of insects by seeing livetarantulas, scorpions, ladybugs, butterflies, a giant ant farm and more.Guests view pinning displays while learning about butterfly migrationor wacky bugs from all over the world. Explore through an interactivemicroscope station and take a peek into Insect Lore’s ladybug and but-terfly labs to discover how it grows, packs and ships insects all over theworld. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pmand Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. Admission is free and large partiesare welcome, but reservations are required for groups larger than eight.

Minter Field Air Museum401 Vultee AvenuePhone: 661-393-0291; Web Site: www.minterfieldairmuseum.com

Preserving the history of this World War II training base is the MinterField Air Museum, a living testament to the role of aviation in the lives ofthe people of Kern County. Minter Field was a major training facilitywhere nearly 12,000 pilots received basic instruction. The museum ishoused in the former base fire station, the last remaining example of theoriginal architecture. It houses aircraft, artifacts and exhibits including

period vehicles, military uniforms and radio equipment. The museum isopen Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm or by appointment.

Shafter Depot Museum150 Central Valley HighwayPhone: 661-746-1557

Take a trip back to a time when rail was the only way to travel. TheShafter Depot Museum is an authentically restored railroad depot, com-plete with an agent’s office, original timetables, tickets and a ticket dater.Visitors are invited to use the working telegraph on display, while near-by a baggage wagon holds antique trunks from days gone by. The muse-um marks railroad’s heyday with genuine articles such as freight way-bills, tariffs and hoops used to hand orders up to passing trains. Themuseum also honors the local agricultural heritage, complete with farmmachinery that represents the transition from hand and animal power tomotorized machinery. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 am to2 pm, for special events, and by appointment.

TAFTThe Historic Fort915 N. 10th StreetPhone: 661-765-7371; Web Site: www.taftfort.org

Built of native adobe in 1940, this replica of Sutter’s Fort served ascounty, state and federal government offices before becoming a socialcenter. In 1980, The Fort was dedicated as a State Historic Landmarkand was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. TheFort currently houses a number of eclectic shops, a wedding chapel andhistorical library. Its grounds, complete with auditorium and gazebo, arethe focal point of many local events. Guided tours are available forgroups of five or more. The Fort is open 8 am to dusk, and is closed onmajor holidays.

West Kern Oil Museum1168 Wood StreetPhone: 661-765-6664; Web Site: www.westkern-oilmuseum.org


Insect Lore “Bugseum”and Visitor’s Center

Minter FieldAir Museum


Almost half of the oil in California comes from Kern’s oilfields, andthe Midway Sunset field, on which the West Kern Oil Museum sits, isstill the top oil producing field in the contiguous United States. Themuseum, staffed by volunteers, is dedicated to collecting, preservingand exhibiting artifacts and equipment that tell the story of oil with par-ticular emphasis placed on western Kern County, sharing the story ofthe communities and people affected by King Oil. The museum groundsdepict daily life in the early oilfields. Exhibits range from the YokutIndians’ first use of oil to the tar pits, gushers, and boomtowns thatbecame part of oil lore. Tours are available for groups, large or small,upon request. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 4 pm, and from 1 to 4 pm on Sunday.

TEHACHAPITehachapi Museum310 S. Green StreetPhone: 661-822-8152; Web Site: www.tehachapimuseum.org

Located in the heart of historic downtown Tehachapi, the TehachapiMuseum celebrates the diversity of the area and its history with exhibitsranging from the Ice Age to the flapper era; from Spanish missionaries tobandits; and from connecting the continent by rail to the discovery ofgold. This museum details the unique place its community holds inAmerican history. Tehachapi’s cowboys and Indians are marked along-side the museum’s Kawaiisu exhibit, featuring the Native American cul-ture which thrived in the Tehachapi area over 2,000 years ago. Majorevents, such as the 1952 Tehachapi Earthquake (a 7.3 magnitude tem-blor comparable to the great San Francisco quake of 1906) are also pro-filed. Doors are open Friday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm and byappointment.

2018 Chester Ave • Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-324-6350

Open Thursday -Saturday 10 am -5pm, last admission 4pm

Child (under 18) $4 Seniors and Students $5 • Adults $7

Group tours available with advance reservations

When visiting the museum you will see unique world class Miocene fossils, from the local Shark

Tooth Hill area. Additional exhibits of African, Asian and North American animals mounts, gems, minerals , petrified woods , Native American artifacts and interpretive dwelling area, a

interactive hands-on science discovery center. We are the only museum in Central California that has

Anatomy, Astronomy Anthropology, Archaeology, Biology, Geology, Paleontology

all at one site. West Kern OilMuseum


TGetting you there from hereTransportation issues? Not here. Despite its immense size, Kern

County is easily accessible by ground, rail or air.Kern is served by four major north-south highways, allowing for easy

movement by automobile. The San Joaquin Valley portion of the countyis traversed by Interstate 5 and State Route 99. Separating near the Kern-Los Angeles County border, I-5 travels through the heart of the SanJoaquin Valley’s agricultural zone while Freeway 99 picks up the valley’smajor population centers.

When trekking through Eastern Kern, use either State Route 14 or USHighway 395 for north-south travel. Sometimes labeled the “MammothExpress,” Highway 14 follows the eastern slope of the Sierra NevadaMountains and connects Los Angeles with the Reno-Tahoe area. US 395winds along Kern’s eastern border and is a major desert route connect-ing the southland with Ridgecrest and Death Valley.

State Route 58 is the major east-west transportation route across theSouthern Sierras. State Route 178 is subject to closure in inclementweather but offers a scenic drive through the Kern River Valley connect-ing Bakersfield with Ridgecrest and Death Valley.

If you’d prefer that someone else do the driving, Kern County is easilyaccessible by train or bus. Amtrak’s San Joaquin line offers service atBakersfield and Wasco as well as travel from Los Angeles via Amtrakbus. Greyhound bus offers stops in Delano and Bakersfield. Once you’rehere, county-operated Kern Regional Transit links many of Kern’s com-munities via 13 fixed bus routes.

You’d rather fly? Kern County also has two airports that host com-mercial flights. Bakersfield’s William M. Thomas Air Terminal offersdirect air service to and from major hubs at Los Angeles, San Francisco,Phoenix and Denver. Inyokern Airport in Eastern Kern County alsooffers convenient connecting flights to and from the Los Angeles area.

TRANSPORTATION

William Thomas Air Terminal

AIR TRANSPORTATIONWWiilllliiaamm MM.. TThhoommaass AAiirrTTeerrmmiinnaall3701 Wings Way, Bakersfield661-391-1800

IInnyyookkeerrnn AAiirrppoorrtt1669 Airport Road, Inyokern760-377-5844

RAIL TRANSPORTATIONAAmmttrraakk601 Truxtun Avenue,Bakersfield661-395-3175700 G Street, Wasco1-800-USA-RAIL

BUS TRANSPORTATIONAAmmttrraakk BBuuss601 Truxtun Avenue,Bakersfield661-395-3175

GGrreeyyhhoouunndd1820 18th Street, Bakersfield661-327-56171112 High Street, Delano661-725-2217

KKeerrnn RReeggiioonnaall TTrraannssiitt(Schedule and fare information)661-862-8850

Transportation Options

T

(661) 824.2433W W W . M O J A V E A I R P O R T . C O M

Airport | Flight Test Center Space Port | Logistics

IMAGINAT ION FL IES HERE

Welcome to unrestricted dream space. This is where history has been made and the future is always being created. Bring your imagination to these proving grounds, and let your vision take flight.

(661) 824.2433W W W . M O J A V E A I R P O R T . C O M

Airport | Flight Test Center Space Port | Logistics

IMAGINAT ION FL IES HERE

Welcome to unrestricted dream space. This is where history has been made and the future is always being created. Bring your imagination to these proving grounds, and let your vision take flight.


AERIAL ADVENTURES

Air Force bases nationwide. Exhibits cover the first military uses ofEdwards, flight testing during World War II, and the development ofhigh-speed flight.

Also included is a visit to NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Facility,which since World War II has been on the leading edge of aeronauticsand space technology. Video presentations detail innovations pro-duced at Dryden, and a short walking tour highlights currentresearch.

Nearby Mojave is home to America’s first official inland spaceport.The Mojave Air and Space Port (1434 Flightline Street; 661-248-

Do you have “The Right Stuff?”

The Space Shuttle Endeavourlands at Edwards Air Force Base

Legacy Park

DDubbed the Aerospace Valley, East Kern provides the perfectconditions for aviation. Venture into this rich and historic zone to expe-rience some of the world’s most renowned flight facilities.

Two of the most famous are at Edwards Air Force Base, home of theAir Force Flight Test Center Museum and NASA’s Dryden FlightResearch Facility (1 S. Rosamond Blvd.; 661-277-3517). Welcome tothe birthplace of more flight records than any other spot on the planet.

Edwards is an active military base, so pub-lic access is restricted. A day-long tour takes

place just twice a month (the first andthird Friday) and is limited to 42guests. Reservations must be madethree weeks in advance to allow timefor proper clearances, but the expe-rience is worth taking the time toplan ahead.

Your tour guide will escort youto a bus for a driving tour of theflight line, where you may viewaircraft such as the rocket-assistedNF-104A Starfighter and the T-33A Shooting Star. Next, tour theAir Force Flight Test CenterMuseum, one of 21 located on


2433) is a world renowned flight research airport, and home to the lat-est and most advanced aeronautical designs.

It was here that history was made in 2004 when SpaceShipOnebecame the first privately-funded craft to achieve manned spaceflight.Noted aircraft designer Burt Rutan, who also lists the globe-circling Voy-ager among his triumphs, more recently revealed the first of his Space-ShipTwo lift vehicles at Mojave. Testing of the craft is underway, and afleet of these spacecraft should begin carrying passengers on sub-orbitalflights in the very near future.

A highlight of the space port is Legacy Park. Opened in 2008, thepark is a living testament to the innovations developed here. The mas-sive Rotary Rocket roton, one of the first attempts at creating a reusablecivilian space vehicle, is among the permanent display pieces. A replicaof SpaceShipOne, the civilian vehicle that captured the Ansari X Prize in2004 by finally conquering sub-orbital space, is on display. A legacy wallcommemorates those who sacrificed all in the pursuit of technologicaldevelopment.

From Legacy Park it’s just a short walk to dining or to the spaceportoffices, where you can inquire about an airport tour.

The airport is a favorite with movie makers. Big screen hits includingSpeed, S.W.A.T. and Flags of Our Fathers owe portions of their success toMojave Spaceport locations. Tours are available upon request.

The United States Naval Museum of Armament and Technology (1Pearl Harbor Dr.; 760-939-3530), located at Ridgecrest on the groundsof the China Lake Naval Weapons Station, is home to the largest collec-tion of tactical aircraft weapons and technology on public display in thefree world.

Many items on display are currently in military service. Others dateback to World War II, while some are experimental models used to

Explore Kern County’s Past...

K C M3801 Chester Avenue661.852.5000 Fax 661.322.6415Open Daily Except Major Holidays

Find out more at www.kcmuseum.org!

“'is is an amazing place.”Huell Howser,

Westways Magazine

=Black Gold: -e Oil Experience=Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center=56 Historic Exhibits on 16 Park Like Acres=Chronicles of Kern County Exhibit

explore new weapons concepts.The museum is a testament to the highly successful research, devel-

opment, testing and evaluation of modern weaponry conducted atChina Lake since 1943. Most of the major air weapons systems used byAmerican forces, including the Tomahawk and Sidewinder, were devel-oped and tested at China Lake.

If these attractions give you an appetite for adventure, why not take tothe skies yourself? In addition to supersonic thrills, East Kern offers thefreedom and exhilaration of unpowered flight.

Skylark North Glider School at Tehachapi (16332 Harris Road; 661-822-5267), Caracole Soaring at California City (22570 Airport Way;760-373-1019), and Sierra Soaring at Inyokern (1669 Airport Road;760-377-5197) are among the best places in the world to ride the wind.

Winds and lift vary throughout the year. In summer, massive ther-mals lift gliders as high as 10,000 feet. The “mountain wave” brought onby winter months allows lower starting elevations for world-class alti-tude climbs. Lessons are available and affordable.

Speaking of unpowered flight, how about going up, up and away in abeautiful balloon? Professor Muldoon’s Hot Air Balloons and FlyingMachines (400 S. Snyder Avenue, Tehachapi; 661-823-7663) offerbreathtaking views of the stunning Tehachapi Valley.

One-hour flights are launched shortly after dawn seven days a week.The winds are calm, the air is clean and the skies are beautiful. Whenyour journey is complete, the gentle return to earth is followed by areception, beverage of a choice (champagne, sparkling cider, soda, orbottled water), a personalized flight certificate, and memories that willlast a lifetime.

The skies above Kern County are filled with thrills. Come see foryourself.

For further details call Barbara

661-863-0350

CARE PROVIDERS / LVN S , RNs Want to work independently

from home? Experienced with

Foster Care & Group Homes? Have an extra bedroom?

$1,200 - $2,100 monthly stipend Bilingual helpful

Helping you to open your heart and home to adults with

developmental disabilities.


KKern County is home to some of the richest oilfields in the world,and the petroleum industry has played a major role in shaping what thecounty is today. Two major attractions celebrate the county’s “wildcat-ting” heritage.

The $4 million world-class exhibition “Black Gold: The Oil Experi-ence” at the Kern County Museum (3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield;661-852-5000) explains the science, technology and history behind theoil industry.

The 9,640-square foot display features a complete look at the cre-ation of oil and a historical overview of different methods of discoveryand extraction. The cultural aspects of those trailblazers are also detailedwith exhibits depicting the lifestyles and changing roles of industryworkers and their families.

The exhibit is interactive and intended for audiences of all ages. High-lights include a simulated undersea trip in a diving bell to learn how oil isformed, exploration into oil discovery and recovery, transformation ofpetroleum into recognizable products, and the many dangers of mining.

Black Gold is open to both public and school tours. The exhibit isincluded with regular museum admission.

The West Kern Oil Museum at Taft (1168 Wood St.; 661-765-6664),located on Kern County’s historic West Side, provides yet another glance

at oil’s historic significance through exhibits and relics.In the mid 1920s more than 7,000 wooden derricks covered the hilly

landscape around this former boom town. By the late 1960s the relicswere nearly gone, and preservation efforts gave birth to this world-renowned museum.

West Kern Oil Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving,exhibiting and interpreting artifacts, books and equipment that tell thestory of oil in California, with particular attention given to western KernCounty. Exhibits turn the spotlight on the early oil companies, everydaylife in the oilfields and oil camps, and the story of oil itself.

The highlight of the eight-acre museum is a reconstructed woodenderrick which stands over an original well.

Also included is the re-creation of an old-time oil company camp.Early workers needed to live near the job site. Through the 1920s, oilcompanies provided self-contained cities: houses for families,bunkhouses for single men, a cookhouse and recreation hall, an office,and various company shops and warehouses.

Other museum highlights include a botanical garden filled withnative plants, antique equipment and vintage company vehicles. Themuseum is staffed by volunteers and supported by donations. Tours areavailable by arrangement.

Gushing with opportunities

OIL TOURISM

West Kern Oil Museum


Kern provides backdrop for Hollywood

MOVIE TOURISM

Hollywood simulates a hurricane in Downtown Taft

FFrom the moment motion pictures came to Hollywood, KernCounty has played an important role. The region has been home tomore than 500 feature films and countless television shows. Many ofthe locations you recognize from your favorite movies can be foundhere, and most are open to the public. Kern County offers a chance tosee the sites and re-live the experience.

Silent film star Fatty Arbuckle started the trend in 1913 while filmingin Taft, and the Keystone Cops followed a year later with a movie in RedRock Canyon. Since that time, filming has continued to blossom in theKern County soil.

Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes epic filmed at the 140-foot tufa spiresof the Trona Pinnacles near Ridgecrest, the same site where CaptainKirk and Mr. Spock did battle with an evil force bent on dominating thegalaxy in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

Head south to the small community of Boron and take a seat on thepark bench where Julia Roberts rallied a community to action in ErinBrockovich. On the way you’ll pass Cuddeback Dry Lake where Sigour-ney Weaver and John Voight searched for buried treasure in Holes andVigo Mortensen raced across the desert in Hidalgo.

Edwards Air Force Base, where Gen. Chuck Yeager smashed thesound barrier, played host to actor Sam Sheppard as he re-created thefeat in The Right Stuff. The casts of Iron Man, Armageddon and Trans-formers received warm welcomes at Edwards, as will you if you’d like to


tackle the regular public tour.The versatile Mojave Air and Space Port became the South Pacific for

Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers and a Newfoundland airport inJodie Foster’s Flightplan. The doomed transit bus in Speed circled theserunways while Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock plotted their escape.The aircraft “boneyard” was pressed into service for S.W.A.T. with ColinFerrell and the Charlie Sheen action flic Terminal Velocity.

To the south, a quick drive down Sierra Highway to Rosamond rollspast an aging factory used in Ocean’s 13. The world-famous WillowSprings International Motorsports Park is here, and its surface is a regu-lar in music videos (Sheryl Crow), TV series (Bones) and features (TheLove Bug).

Red Rock Canyon State Park has been both this world and others,with its rugged sandstone cliffs doubling for the Montana badlands inJurassic Park as well as the out-of-this-world bug planet of StarshipTroopers. It was here that Richard Benjamin and James Brolin did battlewith Yul Brenner’s homicidal robot in the sci-fi classic Westworld.

John Wayne fans will recognize the Kern River from the successfulstream crossing in Stagecoach; other movie buffs will know it from PhilSilvers’ not-so-successful crossing in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.The Duke’s original stagecoach can still be seen, along with other moviememorabilia, at the Kern Valley Museum in Kernville. Perhaps you’dprefer to bounce down the same whitewater rapids tackled by Tim Allenon TV’s Home Improvement or by Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis in TheDefiant Ones. Then hike up Split Mountain, where Humphrey Bogartsought The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

The west side of the county won’t disappoint movie buffs. In 2007teen stars Nick Cannon and Melanie Diaz used the downtown and Bak-

ersfield sections as home for the coming-of-age drama American Son. Acorn field south of Bakersfield was the site of a horrific airline crash inFearless and later where giant domes were filled with bees for the firstfeature-film version of The X-Files.

The latest incarnation of the Star Trek juggernaut pressed fields nearthe Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area into service as a double forIowa. Near Arvin you’ll find the Sunset Labor Camp, where a youngHenry Fonda hoped to find refuge from the Dust Bowl in The Grapes ofWrath. West of Wasco you’ll see where Cary Grant dodged a derangedbi-plane pilot in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Kern County’s oilfields are criss-crossed with roads that served asmovie backdrops. Gena Davis and Susan Sarandon picked up a hitch-hiking Brad Pitt on State Route 33 north of Taft in Thelma and Louise,and Jack Nicholson worked these same fields in Five Easy Pieces. Taftitself hosted Robin Williams and Kurt Russell for the football comedyThe Best of Times as well as hundreds of entertainment giants who gath-ered there for the groundbreaking Hands Across America music video.

Frazier Park and the Los Padres National Forest, just north of LosAngeles, was the scene of Van Helsing’s battle between classic moviecreatures, with Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale adding the starpower. Meg Ryan and Nicolas Cage met with tragedy here in City ofAngels, while Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski climbed nearby MountPinos to escape rising floods in the doomsday epic Deep Impact.

The legacy continues today as hundreds of feature films, commercialsand television productions choose this diverse terrain to change Holly-wood visions into realities. Pop culture addicts will find more thanenough fodder for their trivia collections by visiting the sites where Kernhelped bring the movies to life.

Filming of ExtremeMakover Home Edition

On the set of feature filmAmerican Son

kernvalleymuseum.org

Sponsored by the Kern River Valley

Historical Society

Museum Hours:

Thursdays-Sunday, 10am-4pm

49 Big Blue, Kernville, CA 93238

(760) 376-6683


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Event Community Month Contact for more info

Whiskey Flat Days Kernville February 760-376-2629 www.kernvillechamber.org

March Meet Drag Races McFarland March 800-884-6472 www.famosoraceway.com

Gusher Days Maricopa March 661-769-9329

Scottish Gathering & Games Bakersfield April 661-393-6765 www.kernscot.com

Warbirds in Action Air Show Shafter April 661-393-0291 www.minterfieldairmuseum.com

American Jousting Alliance Tournament & Faire Frazier Park May 661-245-4000 www.jameszoppe.com

Amgen Tour of California Bakersfield May 661-868-5376 www.VisitKern.com

Bakersfield Jazz Festival Bakersfield May 661-654-2503 www.bakersfieldjazz.com

Desert Tortoise Days California City May 760-373-4317 www.deserttortoisedays.org

Kern River Valley Spring Nature Festival Weldon May 760-378-2531 www.kern.audubon.org

California Amphibian and Reptile Celebration Weldon June 760-378-2531 www.kern.audubon.org

Standing Bear Pow Wow Bakersfield June 661-589-3181

Wine in the Pines Pine Mountain Club June 877-219-1500 www.wineinthepines.com

Mountain Shakespeare Festival Pine Mountain Club July 661-242-6904 www.mountainshakes.org

Philippine Weekend Delano July 661-725-2518 www.chamberofdelano.com

Fiesta Days Frazier Park August 661-231-5625 www.frazierfiestadays.org

Kern Valley Hummingbird Celebration Weldon August 760-378-2531 www.kern.audubon.org

Tehachapi Mountain Festival Tehachapi August 661-822-4180 www.tehachapimountainfestival.org

Four Winds Inter-Tribal Pow Wow Ridgecrest September 760-446-3414 www.f-w-i-c.org

Great Kern County Fair Bakersfield September 661-833-4900 www.kerncountyfair.com

Kern Valley Autumn Nature Festival Weldon September 760-378-2531 www.kern.audubon.org

Wasco Festival of Roses Wasco September 661-758-2616 www.ci.wasco.ca.us

Village Fest (formerly Brews in the Village) Bakersfield September 661-324-9653 www.bakersfieldbrews.com

California City Renaissance Festival California City October 760-373-3530 www.calcityrenfair.org

California Hot Rod Reunion McFarland October 800-884-6472 www.famosoraceway.com

Desert Empire Fair Ridgecrest October 760-375-8000 www.desertempirefair.com

Dust Bowl Days Lamont October 661-832-1299 www.weedpatchcamp.com

Oildorado Days Taft October 661-765-7531 OildoradoDays.com

Twenty Mule Team Days Boron October 760-762-5810 www.boronchamber.org

Holiday Lights at CALM Bakersfield December 661-872-2256 www.calmzoo.org

Golden Empire Classic SCNCA ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS June 5-6, 2010

$6,000 in cash and prizes A challenging loop over Round Mountain with lots of climbing and some breathtaking decents. There are as many as 20 categories to choose from. Excellent viewing for spectators.

AmGen Tour of California May 16-23, 2010 Thursday, May 20, 2010

SPOOKTACULAR October 23, 2010

Daily and Weekly Rides For all levels of skill

There are six spine tingling rides to choose from. A Trembling 20, Frightful 40, Morbid Metric, Nightmare 90, Horrible 100 and the scariest of all – the Hideous 100 with 11,000 feet of climbing. Included are all of the necessary delights plus a great post ride BBQ.

There are many great and convenient places to stay and dine while you are in Bakersfield, so bring y our family and enjoy our town by the hills.

All ride and race information can be found at

www.kernwheelmen.org Kern River Parkway Foundation, CALM and Asthma COPD Foundation

Please see website for dates, times and meeting places. www.kernwheelmen.org

The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 AmGen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG. The AmGen Tour helps Breakaway from Cancer to raise awareness & funds to support people living with cancer. Come see the excitement of the AmGen Tour of California in Bakersfield on Thursday, May 20th. For more information visit our website.

Golden Empire Classic SCNCA ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS June 5-6, 2010

$6,000 in cash and prizes A challenging loop over Round Mountain with lots of climbing and some breathtaking decents. There are as many as 20 categories to choose from. Excellent viewing for spectators.

AmGen Tour of California May 16-23, 2010 Thursday, May 20, 2010

SPOOKTACULAR October 23, 2010

Daily and Weekly Rides For all levels of skill

There are six spine tingling rides to choose from. A Trembling 20, Frightful 40, Morbid Metric, Nightmare 90, Horrible 100 and the scariest of all – the Hideous 100 with 11,000 feet of climbing. Included are all of the necessary delights plus a great post ride BBQ.

There are many great and convenient places to stay and dine while you are in Bakersfield, so bring y our family and enjoy our town by the hills.

All ride and race information can be found at

www.kernwheelmen.org Kern River Parkway Foundation, CALM and Asthma COPD Foundation

Please see website for dates, times and meeting places. www.kernwheelmen.org

The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 AmGen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG. The AmGen Tour helps Breakaway from Cancer to raise awareness & funds to support people living with cancer. Come see the excitement of the AmGen Tour of California in Bakersfield on Thursday, May 20th. For more information visit our website.

Free Wireless Internet Provided By

www.MeadowsField.com

Direct Service To:

• Los Angeles • San Francisco • Phoenix • Denver

ONE STOP TO THE WORLD!

kern county visitors guide 2010

Documents

kern county museum

northwest kern

kern gold

kern governmenttelevision

kern river outfitters

kern county boardof

kern county visitors

movie tourism kern