Bakersfield Life

Why we love Bakersfield

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           You don’t need rose-colored glasses to know there’s a lot to love about Bakersfield (of course, we may be biased!). From the small-town charm and abundance of local businesses and family restaurants to the neighborhood parks, great schools and affordable housing market, Bakersfield is an ideal spot to live and raise a family. Not to mention it’s prime location that enables us to take short day trips out of town.
Sure, there are times when city living isn’t so pleasant — the scorching summers and dense fog in the winter, the bad air and our penchant for ending up on the bad end of quality-of-living lists — but most days it’s with pride that we enjoy another day in Bakersfield.
To celebrate the city we love, we’ve come up with 20 great things about Bakersfield. While we may not be able to touch on everything we enjoy about this growing town with small-town roots, we hope we’ve hit at least some of your favorites.

Basque influence
We sure love our Basque cuisine and share fond memories of the diverse spread of food with family and friends. What always seems to be a never-ending meal begins with soup and bread, beans and hot sauce, then out comes an assortment that can include veggies, pickled tongue, fries and spaghetti. After the early courses, entrées of seafood and meats like veal or lamb are served.
One of the largest Basque communities in the United States, Bakersfield has several Basque restaurants and organizations that carry on the traditions, including food.
Each restaurant offers its own twist on the family-style set-up. With a family-oriented atmosphere, Wool Growers has been serving Basque dishes for more than five decades to local celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and reunions. Another iconic Basque eatery is Noriega’s, originally a hotel founded in 1893 that was transformed to a restaurant in the 1940s and continues to offer an authentic feast while the bar serves the popular Basque cocktail Picon Punch. Other Basque eateries include: Chalet Basque, a restaurant and hoppin’ bar at night that’s been around for more than 30 years; Narducci’s Café, in Old Town Kern, offering both Italian and Basque food and live entertainment; and Benji’s, a larger eatery that houses more than 250 people and offers banquet facilities. Once known as Kern County French Bakery, Pyrenees Bakery, open since 1887, still makes fresh loaves daily, and the bread is served in major restaurants and sold in most grocery stores around town.
The Kern County Basque Club, founded in 1944, hosts annual festivals and has given numerous scholarships to students. A well-known charity with Basque roots, Mendiburu Magic Foundation, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Since 2000, the foundation has donated thousands of dollars to agencies and organizations to help people fighting life-threatening illnesses, especially cancer. (The foundation’s upcoming events include Pyrenees Fiesta, an annual fundraiser on Sept. 18 and on Oct. 10, the community will celebrate Nancy Ann Mendiburu Cancer Fighter Day.) 
 Local ice creameries
We’re spoiled with the assortment of creative cold concoctions and tasty treats from our local ice creameries. Smells of fresh-baked goods, the sight of nostalgic diner decor and combination of mouth-watering homemade caramel sauce swirled with whipped marshmallow fluff atop a sundae all reinforce the old-fashioned parlor atmosphere.
Two local favorites recently hit milestones: Dewar’s celebrated its centennial while Rosemary’s Family Creamery hit 25 years. Both iconic creameries have housed their fair share of birthday parties, first dates and gatherings after dance recitals and sports events. 
Moo Creamery’s proclaimed “modern soda fountain” opened last year, and its simple, but decadent menu of burgers, sandwiches, hearty soups and salads has drawn hungry eaters. Innovative ice cream flavors like jalapeño cream cheese with raspberries, bacon love and blueberry pie with pie dough pieces also keep people coming back for more. 

Famous sons
In every city, there are individuals known for something significant, whether that’s for being a famous actor, athlete or musician, successful attorney or doctor, a volunteer donating years of service or a hometown hero. Bakersfield has a lineup notables who either grew up here or made contributions to the community. Our city credits Col. Thomas Baker as the founder and how “Baker’s field” got its name. Alfred Harrell is another big name who was involved in the school system and bought The Bakersfield Californian in 1897. Earl Warren, who moved here at a young age, is known for serving as state attorney general and California governor and wrote the opinion in Brown v. Board of Education that abolished segregation in schools. Two politicians who have left their mark on our fair city are Walter Stiern, once a state senator and the man behind the master plan of CSUB, and Bill Thomas, a retired Republican congressman and former BC instructor. Taking to the skies, Chuck Yeager, responsible for breaking the speed of sound in 1947 at Edwards Air Force Base, and Dick Rutan, co-pilot in the record, non-stop flight around the world in 1986, made aviation history. Jack LaLanne, who spent some of his childhood living on a sheep ranch in Greenfield, went on to become a legendary fitness expert. And we can’t forget our musical roots, both the modern crop Jonathan Davis and band Korn) and the classics of the Bakersfield Sound (Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, with numerous hits and honored places in the Country Music Hall of Fame).

Famous daughters
Just like our famous sons, there are several women who have made a name for themselves in Kern County. Mary K. Shell has made a lasting impression, first as a reporter at The Bakersfield Californian, then as Bakersfield’s first female mayor in the 1980s and, later, a county supervisor. Another political leader, Grace Dorris, broke gender barriers when she was elected to the State Assembly in 1918. Pediatrician Juliet Thorner blazed a trail by opening a practice when there was fewer than 40 doctors in Bakersfield. The stars have smiled on Amy Adams as an “American Idol” finalist and Kelli Garner, who was born in Bakersfield and has landed roles in “The Aviator,” “Lars and the Real Girl” and the new film “Going the Distance.” And Buck isn’t the only one to make something of the Owens name: Bonnie Owens, singer and songwriter once married to both Buck and Merle Haggard, was named “Female Vocalist Of The Year” in 1965. Another Owens, Bessie (unrelated), made her mark in education as a local elementary school teacher and master of her profession whom Potomac Avenue School was renamed in her honor in 1971.  

We love to give
Whether it’s one person, a school, church or nonprofit, our community extends a helping hand in others’ times of need. This year’s big success was saving Cal State Bakersfield’s four sports programs — wrestling, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf — through a community fundraising effort, which generated more than $700,000 in just a few months to rescue several coaching jobs and the dreams of about 60 student athletes.
Leading the fight against cancer and raising thousands of dollars every year are local events Relay for Life and Links for Life. Bakersfield celebrated its 19th Relay in May with about 370 teams, more than 6,000 participants and 1,700 survivors who raised $1.78 million for the American Cancer Society, making us the largest Relay in the world. What began 18 years ago with 10 women golfing, Links for Life has grown to 300 attendees for a tournament, gala and auction. The program has raised just under $1 million, with funding providing more than 1,300 clinical services for breast cancer patients in the past 12 months.
Helping children is also high on the local list: Bakersfield West Rotary’s Cioppino Feed, which has raised more than half a million dollars since it started in 1993, benefits less fortunate local youth in the areas of education, literacy, health and welfare. Toys for Tots, the Ronald McDonald House and St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway aid not only children, but also their families. Last year thousands of books and toys for needy local children were donated through Toys for Tots during the holiday season. Marking its first anniversary in June, the Ronald McDonald House has welcomed more than 300 families of ill children undergoing treatment. The eighth annual St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway raffled off two homes for the first time, raising more than $8 million and making it the most successful campaign of its kind in the west.
 Hometown sports pride
Not only do we have professional sports teams — the Bakersfield Condors and the Bakersfield Blaze — that attract big crowds, but there are also many accomplished athletes who started here. Several have gone on to big careers in the NFL: Joey Porter (Arizona Cardinals) still calls this his hometown and gives back to the community with his youth football camp, and David Carr (San Francisco 49ers) visits periodically. Newest NFL player Ryan Mathews got drafted to his favorite team, the San Diego Chargers. Other big-time football names include Frank Gifford, Ken Ruettgers, Louis Wright and Brock Marion. As far as racing goes, Kevin Harvick is a NASCAR superstar as well as  Casey Mears, who is following the path of his uncle and four-time Indy 500 winner, Rick. One of the best baseball players to come from Bakersfield was Johnny Callison — best known for his years on the Phillies. George Culver played on the same team as Callison at Sam Lynn one winter when a Phillies scout put a team together. In 1968, Culver, then a pitcher for the Reds, threw a no-hitter against Callison, his childhood hero. Basketball stars Robert Swift, Chris Childs, Lonnie Shelton and Freddie Boyd were all born here and once played for the NBA. Former pro tennis players Dennis Ralston and Hank Pfister (won two singles titles) and head golf coach at CSUB Dave Barber played on the PGA tour. Up and comer heavyweight boxing contender Manuel “El Toro” Quezada recently held his own until the ninth round against Chris Arreola for the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship.
There are also several native female athletes who hold records. Pitcher Megan Langenfeld recently led the UCLA softball team to the Women’s College World Series and was nominated for an ESPY. Last spring, Anna Jelmini set the U.S. high school record in the discus throw and shot put that led her to be named Gatorade’s National Track and Field Female Athlete of the Year. Jelmini’s coach in middle school was Dawn Dumble is a four-time NCAA Champion in the shot put and discus. Lisa Kiggens was an LPGA player in the 1990s, Nikki Blue plays in the WNBA with the New York Liberty and Camille Benjamin played on the WTA from the 1980s to 1994.
 Outdoor recreation
Despite a reputation for poor air quality and scorching summer days, people still take advantage of Bakersfield’s recreational outdoor activities. Riding or running along the 32-mile bike trail that extends through town on a spring day can bring such joy to nature lovers. Depending on your mood, you can spend a relaxing day golfing with buddies at The Links at Riverlakes or fishing at Hart Park. For those seeking thrills, raft or kayak down the Kern River with River’s End Rafting & Adventure Co. or head to Five Dogs Range for sporting clays or join the Kern County Gun Club to do a little trap and skeet shooting.

Enjoying nature
Both mountain and ocean landscapes are bit of a drive, but there are plenty of scenic locations to enjoy within our city limits. We have a multitude of North of the River and city parks for anyone to play recreational sports while swings and slides keep kids occupied. Hart Park is an ideal place for birthday picnics or family barbecues. The Park at River Walk draws a large gathering for outdoor concerts at the Bright House Networks Amphitheatre, movie nights and festivals. 
Adventurous types have the opportunity to kayak and raft down the mighty Kern River and others enjoy hooking a line to catch a fish. Besides the bike path that weaves throughout Bakersfield, the Panorama Bluffs is a popular spot for joggers on the east side to hit after work. 
Annual events
Rain or shine, loyal crowds make it a point of attending events like the Festival of Beers, Wine Fest and Village Fest. The annual affairs draw thousands of visitors from frat brothers to oenophiles. The Bakersfield Jazz Festival and Greek Food Festival also have a dedicated following awaiting the appointed time each year to either mellow out with music or celebrate with dolmades and spanikopita.
And after five years, the Bakersfield Business Conference is back. George Martin, attorney at Borton Petrini LLP, started this conference at the Stockdale Country Club in 1985 with an audience of 250 people. In 2005, the event grew to an audience of 12,000. This year, the event will be held at CSUB on Oct. 9 and will feature speakers like former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin; former Vice President Dick Cheney; former first lady Laura Bush and actress Goldie Hawn. Rounding out the year are well-known events like the challenging Volkslauf Mud Run, which mostly raises money for Toys for Tots, and “The Nutcracker” performances and HolidayLights at CALM in December.
 Nightlife
We’re a family town first, but Bakersfield definitely has a nightlife. No matter your age or interest, there’s always something happening on a Friday or Saturday night. Dine out at Café Med or KC Steak House or put on your cowboy hat for a boot-scootin’ good time at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. If chardonnay or country line-dancing don’t interest you, make a pit stop at Fishlips for a brew or two and enjoy live music from local musicians. The downtown streets are filled with artsy folks who look forward to gallery-hopping and viewing new masterpieces on First Fridays. After admiring art, the Padre Hotel is a central location to consume delicious food at Belvedere (with a reservation, of course), have a cappuccino at Farmacy, a margarita at Brimstone bar or Prairie Fire and dance up a storm at Prospect Lounge.  
Fine dining
Bakersfield certainly has its fair share of fast-food chains, but there are several nice local restaurants to eat at on a regular basis or special occasions. A fine dining experience can be had at T. L. Maxwell’s, Café Med, Uricchio’s, Valentien and Mama Tosca’s. Whether its filet mignon, rack of lamb or authentic Italian dish, these restaurants prepare some of the best dinners around town. If you don’t mind eating at a hotel, The Bistro in the Four Points Sheraton is wonderful for an intimate dinner or for entertaining a group of friends. Eat at Seven Oaks Country Club in the five-star swanky Oak Room overlooking the golf course for various occasions.
 Chic boutiques
Rodeo Drive has nothing on Bakersfield, where ladies find fabulous and trendy items at any of our beloved boutiques. Chic spots like Christine’s, Pappagallo and Sugardaddy’s have been around for years providing us with the latest designer looks. Joining their ranks in recent years, Bella at The Marketplace, Miss Holiday, Tangerine, Fashionista, Lolo’s, Kaur and La Coquette have kept local ladies looking stylish in . Betsey Johnson, Stella McCartney, Juicy Couture, Trina Turk, Michael Kors, True Religion and more.
Mexican food
We’re lucky to have several restaurants serving authentic Mexican cuisine. Fresh chips, spicy salsa and mouth-watering burritos, tacos or enchiladas are what keep bringing customers back to longtime favorites Mexicali, Red Pepper and Sinaloa. Each one has a different vibe and specialty, such as Mexicali’s frequently ordered free-poured margaritas with homemade mix. Other great south-of-the-border eats include Casa Munoz, La Costa Mariscos, La Colonia and Cactus Valley.
 The right distance/travel
Every city has its perks and one of Bakersfield’s best features is its proximity to various vacation destinations both north and south. If you’re the outdoor type, a trip to surrounding mountains for a day hike or camping in the warm months is ideal. During the winter, you can rent a cabin and learn to ski or snowboard. In the opposite direction the quiet beaches in Pismo and Morro Bay await you and, on the way, stop at a vineyard for a wine tasting in Paso Robles. Looking for more? Head south to the prime surf destination Huntington Beach. When passing through Los Angeles, catch a Dodger game or take a tour of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Want to gamble with the high rollers or catch a Cirque Du Soleil? Las Vegas is only a couple hundred miles away. Next time you feel trapped in our fish bowl, hop in your car and head over the mountains.
It’s all about the price
Compared to coastal metro areas and bigger cities north (Sacramento) and south (Los Angeles) of us, Bakersfield is a relatively inexpensive place to live. In terms of homeownership, Bakersfield is cheaper than our surrounding metropolitan cities. According to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, which measures cost of living figures in metro statistical areas (which applies to counties), Bakersfield is pretty close to average, if you assume the cost of living in the United States is 100 percent. Bakersfield is at 103.2 percent while Sacramento is 116.7 percent and Los Angeles is 136.2 percent. Our higher education choices, Cal State Bakersfield and Bakersfield College, are cheaper than other colleges because the cost to live in this town is less.
Family entertainment
We live in a family-oriented town, so of course there are lots of activities year-round geared toward family entertainment. For people on a budget, take your kids to discover California Living Museum. Visit with zoo animals like recent rescue Willow, an adorable young mountain lion, or during December, walk around and look at the HolidayLights. Bring the family to Pioneer Village to see more than 50 historic buildings, go to the permanent interactive exhibit “Black Gold: The Oil Experience,” and play at the Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center — all are fun ways to learn Kern’s history at the Kern County Museum. A few times throughout the year, crowds gather in the streets to attend the Downtown Street Faire where there’s an interest for everyone — barbecue, arts and crafts, farmers markets and trolley tours. In the springtime, families can head to nearby parks and The Marketplace for concerts and in September, the Kern County Fair always brings in folks noshing on high-caloric funnel cakes, deep-fried Twinkies and hot and sticky cinnamon rolls. For parents with older kids, the Bakersfield Symphony has six subscription concerts, including a few for younger audiences.
Long-lasting businesses
This town’s known for its local businesses, and there are quite a few celebrating milestone anniversaries — three big names turn 100. Luigi’s Delicatessen has been a favorite Old Town Kern attraction for lunch gatherings since 1910. Pictures of hometown athletes from the past eight decades adorn the walls of the eatery with rich foods and a richer history. Head there early on Saturdays because the restaurant will fill up with people wanting Emilia Lemucchi’s pasta Bolognese, a New York steak or the half & half (pasta with meat sauce and Italian beans). Mercy Hospital and San Joaquin Community Hospital have also reached the centennial mark for serving the community. Iconic building The Fox Theater has brought a diverse crowd of entertainers since it opened its doors on Christmas Day 80 years ago, and the Kern County Museum has been sharing local history and its grounds with patrons since 1941. Clothing store Western Emporium will celebrate 101 years in business and AJ’s Tuxedo Junction has been our hometown tux shop for 40 years. Auto dealership Jim Burke Ford (formerly known as Haberfelde Ford) has been selling cars since 1913, while Douglass Truck Bodies has been specializing in the manufacturing and design of standard and custom trucks for 52 years. Other long-lasting businesses include Stinson’s office supplies (established in 1947), Lambourne Travel (in business for 64 years), Bill Ray Tile (open since 1956) and Urner’s furniture store (in operation for 91 years). Also standing the test of time is The Bakersfield Californian, which has been around for 143 years.
Schools
Bakersfield students as well as teachers deserve recognition. Academically and athletically, our schools have ranked among the top in the county and even the state for multiple achievements. Standout efforts are often a product of blood — literally — sweat and, possibly, tears: This past year, Houchin Blood Bank noted high schools around the Kern held 62 blood drives and collected 4,880 units of blood, with donations from Kern County high schools making up 35 percent of the county’s blood supply. The Stockdale High School Mock Trial team is another source of local pride, having reclaimed top county honors after a one-year lapse broke their 12-year streak. The Fruitvale School District has also done outstanding work — the district ranks among the highest-achieving in the state. Bakersfield College, one of the nation’s oldest continually running community colleges, was given an “exemplary program award” for its basic skills program this year and was one of two in the state to receive this award by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Cal State Bakersfield had quite an eventful year: The school celebrated its 40th anniversary with a big bash in May, the four endangered sports were saved with support from the community and, in July, the university’s NCAA Division I transition was complete. 
Art and music
Though we have lost a couple of galleries this past year, the downtown art scene continues to flourish with art aficionados who visit museums, theaters and galleries. Surface Gallery co-owners Vikki Cruz and Yvonne Cavanagh closed their gallery in May, but both women continue to stay active in the arts. In fact, Cruz was recently appointed curator of the Bakersfield Museum of Art, which has brought residents beautiful works of art for more than 50 years. Cavanagh teaches art at Bakersfield High School and continues to show her work around town. With the revitalization of the cultural Arts District, galleries have appeared around every corner, showcasing and supporting local artists. Metro Galleries owner Don Martin, the man behind First Friday, has made downtown come alive, with people socializing at spots such as Metro, the Bakersfield Art Association Gallery and Art Center, Bakersfield Museum of Art, coffee shops Farmacy at the Padre Hotel and Dagny’s Coffee Company and Juliana’s Art Studio & Gallery. Heading off the downtown path, the Todd Madigan Gallery at CSUB, the Wylie and Mary Louise Jones Gallery at BC, Russo’s Books (showcasing local works) and Cezanne Gallery and Chris Vanderlei Gallery — both on H Street — are also worth a visit.
The Empty Space and Spotlight Theatre display art in rotating exhibits, as well as putting on a variety of live performances. Stellar shows can also be seen at CSUB’s Doré Theatre, Bakersfield Community Theatre, The Gaslight Melodrama Theatre and Stars Theatre. Local theater draws a lot of supporters for both popular (“Jekyll & Hyde”) and original (“My Big Fat Oildale Wedding”) shows. Music wise, the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra is a standout — with its exceptional season of works, including “The Nutcracker” in December — as well as the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop, which organizes shows at galleries and restaurants.
 Oil and agriculture
We can thank these two industries for bringing droves of people here for work and cultivating our rich history. Major oil producer Kern generates more than half of California’s oil, and we have 80 percent of all oil-producing wells and the top five oil-producing fields throughout the state. Take to the open road to see the great role agriculture plays locally, with dairy farms, orchards and miles of crops surrounding you. As of 2009, Kern County’s top five ag products are grapes, milk, almonds, carrots and citrus, most available at the various farmers markets that have cropped up around town. From the grocery store to these market gatherings, we’re supporting local businesses Bolthouse Farms, Murray Family Farms, Grimmway Farms and more.