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64 Greatest things about Bakersfield


What is the greatest thing about Bakersfield?

     Even to those new to town, it doesn’t take long for some of the greatest things about Bakersfield to arise. From shopping at the Marketplace to restaurants like Wool Growers to people like Mayor Harvey Hall, Bakersfield has so many great things that makes it unique, that it is difficult to pick just one. But that’s exactly what Bakersfield Life is asking you to do.
     Over the next six months, Bakersfield Life readers will determine the greatest thing about Bakersfield – from a bracket style format. We have started the process, placing 64 great things about Bakersfield into the bracket. It will then be up to you to narrow down these 64 to only one.
     Coming up with this list wasn’t easy. We originally came up with more than 100 people, places and landmarks that make Bakersfield great, and after much politicking, defending and downright arguing, we compromised to narrow the list to 64. As much work as this was, it will be up to you to narrow this group down to one. It’s obvious you have the toughest part of this job.
     Pick your favorites just as you would in a tournament bracket. The process is simple: each item is paired with another. The one with the most votes wins the battle and moves to the next round. This month’s winners, the top 32, will be announced in our August issue. This process will continue knocking off contenders down to 16, eight and four until finally the announcement of the greatest thing about Bakersfield will be made in our December issue.
     Yes, we’re ready. We already know that we are going to hear comments like, “How did you leave (insert your favorite Bakersfield landmark) off the list?” And “I can’t believe I have to pick between Smith’s Bakery and CALM, how am I suppose to do that?” We’re ready, and have made an easy avenue for your comments. Simply leave a note after voting and let us know your hardest picks, your easiest picks and what you would have added. Most of all have fun and enjoy all that Bakersfield has to offer.
     First-round voting runs through Aug. 3. Find the link to vote just above the Snap! Bakersfield Life photos at
www.BakersfieldLife.com.
     Take your time in deciding some of the difficult first-round decisions, like The Park at River Walk vs. Festival of Beers, or the Petroleum Club vs. Bakersfield College football. The decisions will be difficult but the process will be fun, and in the end, Bakersfield Life readers will determine the greatest thing about Bakersfield.

Starbucks
The Seattle-based coffee company might not be Bakersfield specific, but it is certainly part of local culture. What was once a morning ritual has turned into an all-day tradition with its variety of iced and hot coffee drinks, breakfast treats and sandwiches for lunch, and great atmosphere from open to close.

Wool Growers
For more than 50 years, Wool Growers has been Bakersfield’s top choice for not only Basque cuisine, but for all varieties of dining. It is packed six days a week and offers the best food of Bakersfield’s deep roster of Basque restaurants. Come hungry – the set up alone is plenty of food for many.

Dewar’s
Dewar’s is nearing its centennial anniversary and has never been more popular. During the summer, it’s the refreshment of the ice cream sundaes and shakes that pull the huge crowds. And who hasn’t received a box of Dewar’s chews as a Christmas gift? It is sweets at its best in Bakersfield.

Luigi’s
This Old Town Kern landmark is one of Bakersfield’s oldest continuously operated family businesses, sitting at its current location since 1910. Preparing for a long lunch is recommended considering just how busy Luigi’s always seems to be, but the 1/2 & 1/2, Gino’s Special and especially the Guinn’s Special on Saturdays make the lunch wait worth it.

Close to everything
Some feel that the greatest thing about Bakersfield isn’t anything in Bakersfield at all. They claim that the fact that it is close to everything makes the city ideal, and they have a point. Two hours to downtown Los Angeles and Pismo Beach and four hours to San Francisco and Las Vegas certainly make Bakersfield great.

Rabobank Arena
It was just more than 10 years ago that Bakersfield’s entertainment scene was little more than live local bands at Jerry’s Pizza and that other kind of entertainment at Déjà Vu. Then came Rabobank Arena and locals have now seen the likes of Kobe Bryant, Elton John and Gwen Stefani perform. Now that’s improvement.

Condors Hockey
Hockey. In Central California. Where country music rules. Yeah, right. It didn’t seem feasible, but somehow this minor-league hockey team has turned Bakersfield into a hockey town. An average of 5,628 watched the Condors for 36 games last season making it Bakersfield’s most attended sports team in 2007-08. A recent affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks should only further the Condors’ local popularity.

Smith’s Bakery
Whether it is the famous happy-face or alliog cookies, delicious doughnuts, a variety of breads or champagne cakes, few can walk away from Smith’s Bakery unsatisfied. The local bakery has been in business since 1945 and continues to consistently produce quality products at seven different locations around Bakersfield.

Buck Owens
Despite not relocating locally until he was 22 years old, Bakersfield adopted Buck Owens as its own soon after his moving here in 1951. The country star had 21 No. 1 hits, starred on the television show “Hee Haw,” and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His memory lives on at his Crystal Palace located on the street named after him.

Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
Named Country Music Nightclub of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1998, this Bakersfield nighttime hot spot on Buck Owens Boulevard has had stars such as Vince Vaughn and Dwight Yoakum walk through its doors this year. This is Bakersfield’s home to live country music, as well as dancing, drinks, great food and a museum featuring Buck Owens historical information.

Relay for Life
Bakersfield has certainly embraced the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Billed as California’s largest such relay and second-biggest nationwide, the local version held at CSU Bakersfield on May 3-4 set records for most money raised ($1.7 million and counting) and teams participating (341).

Marketplace
With a wide variety of shopping, top-notch dining and a 14-screen movie theater, the Marketplace has been a popular destination for Southwest Bakersfield shoppers since opening. The high-end shopping center is about to take another step up this summer when Williams-Sonoma opens.

Kern County Fair
County fairs have long been a tradition for families throughout the U.S., but the Kern County Fair takes things to a different level as the annual event to attend each year. One of Bakersfield’s long-time favorites for fun, food and frolicking, the Kern County Fair offers up live entertainment, rides and great grub for the entire family.

Harvey Hall
There have been few mayors of Bakersfield who have had the long-term popularity of Harvey Hall. The city’s 25th mayor is focused on youth services and the beautification of Bakersfield. His entire mayor’s salary is dedicated toward scholarships for local students. He is also the president and founder of Hall Ambulance, the largest privately owned emergency and non-emergency medical transportation provider in the state.

Kevin Harvick
Local NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick has seen more success in racing than anyone from Bakersfield since Rick Mears’ run of four Indy 500 wins spaced out between 1979 and 1991. Harvick has seen huge success, though, including wins at the 2003 Brickyard 400 and the 2007 Daytona 500.

Mexicali
Featuring Bakersfield’s favorite Mexican food, salsa and margaritas, Mexicali has become a staple in local dining. Mexicali has pleased the palates of local residents for more than 50 years. Both of Mexicali’s locations are also popular destinations for their selection of more than a dozen premium tequilas as well as their famous margaritas.

CSU Bakersfield Basketball
This one-time NCAA Division II powerhouse is moving to the NCAA Division I level and the competition has never been greater. Well-known for its three national titles in Division II, the Roadrunners look forward to 2008-09 when they will host four teams that were a part of March Madness just a couple of months ago.

Petroleum Club
Boasting quite possibly the city’s most impressive view from its location on the 12th floor of the Stockdale Towers building, the Petroleum Club is a 56-year-old business and social club in Bakersfield. The private club offers dining facilities, a lounge, business meeting and banquet rooms, and a member gym, as well as numerous social and business contact opportunities.

Bakersfield Sign
The original sign was actually a footbridge that arched over Union Avenue just south of California Avenue starting in the late ’40s. Buck Owens saved the original blue letters that spelled “Bakersfield” and had them reattached to his own version of the arch that spans Sillect Avenue near his Crystal Palace.

The Weather
Abysmal heat in the summer and fog in the winter doesn’t seem to keep local residents from lavishing Bakersfield’s weather. But maybe they have a point: The heat gives good reason to relax by the pool; the winters might get chilly but things could be worse (consider the cold in the northeast or the rain in Seattle); and the autumns and springs each year are absolutely perfect.

Kern River
At 164 miles in length, the Kern River is one of Bakersfield’s most intriguing features of its physical landscape. At times, the river is a beautiful feature in the city, giving a liquid appearance to an otherwise dry city. It isn’t always flowing, though, and it is always considered dangerous. Nonetheless, the river in its higher elevations always offers outdoors entertainment, from whitewater rafting to kayaking.

Korn
Love them or hate them, the truth of the matter is that Jonathan Davis and crew have introduced the world to a new version of Bakersfield music, and it’s a long way from Buck Owens. The local rockers have been wildly popular since forming Korn in the mid-1990s and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide while earning six Grammy nominations, winning two.

Valley Plaza
Bakersfield’s original mall has undergone a transformation recently, taking an average mall that could basically be found in any city to a much higher-scale shopping haven. With the recent additions of Sephora, Coach, Banana Republic and more – while being the city’s best place to people watch – Valley Plaza is once again the place to shop in Bakersfield.

CSU Bakersfield
Since opening its doors to students in 1970, CSU Bakersfield has given local students an opportunity to further their education without leaving their hometown. The university has now gone to a new level by setting a goal of becoming the leading campus in the CSU system in terms of faculty and academic excellence and diversity, quality of the student experience, and community engagement.

Bakersfield Museum of Art
Spanning more than five decades, the Bakersfield Museum of Art has established a center for visual arts in the local community. Opening as the Cunningham Memorial Art Gallery in 1956 as a tiny room for art display, the museum has since expanded to a beautiful 17,400-square foot showcase for the arts in 2001, hosting special events and showing art from around the U.S.

Northwest Promenade
Originally, the Northwest Promenade shopping center opened as a large strip mall on the corner of Rosedale Highway and Coffee Road, but has since expanded into a massive popular shopping destination in Northwest Bakersfield. At a mile long, Northwest Promenade features everything from Target to Best Buy, Chili’s to Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Home Depot to Kohl’s.

Trader Joe’s
No one combines value and quality quite like the one-of-a-kind grocery store Trader Joe’s. While not specifically unique to Bakersfield, Trader Joe’s has long developed into a local favorite for items that other stores simply don’t carry, ranging in a wide variety of wine, beer and other spirits all the way to numerous healthy food choices like organic fruits and vegetables and much more.

The Park at River Walk
Bakersfield’s newest park is also its most popular. The Park at River Walk at Stockdale Highway and Buena Vista Road is a 32-acre gem that is perfect for family entertainment at many levels. The Bright House Amphitheatre offers free movies in the park as well as concerts, and the park also features a three-acre lake and a stream that meanders along a 1,000-foot cobblestone creek.

Local Golf
Bakersfield boasts nine golf courses in the city limits and another three within an hour’s drive, totaling 12 courses for the Greater Bakersfield Area to play. The large number of courses is only challenged by their quality, featuring everything from a shotmaker’s course at The Links at RiverLakes Ranch, the rolling foothills of Rio Bravo Country Club, and the lush challenge at Seven Oaks Country Club.

Brews in the Village
Brews in the Village has developed into a perennial favorite among Bakersfield’s annual events. The fundraiser, benefiting Children’s Advocates Resource Endowment (CARE), annually features more than 100 different beers and 50 different wines to taste, along with food samples from 30 of Bakersfield’s most popular restaurants and live entertainment on four different stages throughout Kern County Museum each year in September.

Festival of Beers
More than 175 beers, food from Champs BBQ and live music. Who could ask for more? The Active 20-30 Club’s annual fundraiser benefiting local children’s charities takes place each April at Stramler Park and has been a Bakersfield favorite for 16 years. This year’s theme was “Beach Party.” What will those crazy folks from the Active 20-30 Club come up with for 2009?

Downtown nightlife
Once upon a time, Downtown Bakersfield was the place to go for nightlife in the city. And even though the city grows and new options arise, there is still no substitute for Downtown Bakersfield for drinks, dancing and socializing. Whether drinking at the Alley Cat, dancing at Riley’s or dinner at Sandrini’s, there’s something for most everyone on a weekend evening downtown.

Jake’s Tex-Mex
The concept seems so simple: chicken, pit beef, tri tip, beans, salad, bread, salsa. But the combinations therein define Bakersfield. An argument can be made that this Oak Street legend is as Bakersfield as its Basque counterparts, but whatever the case, there’s little doubt that this small local eatery clearly has some of the best food – and strongest following – of any restaurant in town.

Arts District
The restructuring of Downtown Bakersfield from run-down to high-class included the development of the Arts District, an area around 19th and Eye streets. Anchored by the Fox Theater, Stars Theatre and Spotlight Theatre, several art studios and galleries have also located in the area. The result is high-end entertainment and can be enjoyed most at its First Friday celebrations.

Rosemary’s
Don’t kid yourself – you go in for lunch, but it’s really the dessert you’re after. And why not? The huge portions at affordable prices makes Rosemary’s not only one of Bakersfield’s favorite places for ice cream, but one that also won’t break the bank. Don’t attempt to eat the huge portions in one sitting; take the rest home for a treat the next day.

Sequoia Sandwich Company
Quality sandwich shops are showing up all over Bakersfield, but Sequoia Sandwich Company was the original – and arguably the best – in town. The reason is simple: Sequoia uses only premium deli meats and cheeses for their sandwiches, and their delicious cookies, New York style cheesecake and carrot cake make a lunch at Sequoia unforgettable.

Stars Theatre
There are plenty of high-quality restaurants in Bakersfield and no shortage of places for live entertainment, but Stars Theatre combines the two for a unique evening. The city’s only dinner theater sits in a converted historic bank building in Downtown Bakersfield and features some of the best food in town together with some of the best theater. It makes for a perfect combination.

John’s BurgerS
For nine straight years, John’s Burgers has won The Bakersfield Californian’s Best of Kern County poll for best burger. So what exactly makes John’s so good? It’s certainly the delicious variety of burgers ranging from the simple John’s Burger to the Blue Cheese Burger, but the value for the money certainly plays a part as well. Has anyone ever actually finished an order of fries from John’s?

Lloyd Lindsay Young
Helloooooooooo Bakersfield! Those two words – spoken (or yelled) in that way – can only mean that Lloyd Lindsay Young is near. The meteorologist who uses anything nearby as a pointer (cucumber? rubber chicken?) has been called everything from annoying and obnoxious to hilarious and entertaining. One thing is clear, though, Young is quite possibly Bakersfield’s most well-known television personality. For whatever reason.

Hodel’s
Hodel’s will never be mistaken for fine dining. Ever. But that’s not what this North of the River institution is all about. This is comfort food prepared fresh daily, presented in a charming atmosphere. The Sunday buffet is extremely popular with its fresh omelets and famous cinnamon rolls, but this type of country dining is perfect any time of the day.

Trout’s
One of the last real Bakersfield honky-tonk style bars remaining, Trout’s will take a guest back to the days when Buck and Merle were playing live on a regular basis at the Blackboard. The neon sign of the flopping fish might be as well known as the bar itself. Interestingly enough, Trout’s recently opened an additional room and stage called “the Blackboard,” named after the infamous honky-tonk from the 1950s.

Casey Mears
Coming from the famous Mears family of racing (four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears is his uncle), Casey Mears is now the driver of the No. 5 Kellogg’s/CARQUEST Chevrolet for famed Hendrick Motorsports, teamed with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon. One of the rising stars of NASCAR, Mears earned his first Sprint Cup win in 2007 at the Coca Cola 600 at famed Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Hart Park
The centerpiece of the 1,012-acre Kern River County Park, Hart Park remains one of Bakersfield’s favorite parks for fun and outdoors activities. The park, one of Kern County’s oldest, was dedicated in 1929 and renamed in 1947 for Kern County Supervisor John O. Hart. Enjoy everything from trout, catfish and bass fishing in two lakes, paddleboat rentals, picnics and hiking trails at this East Bakersfield park.

Bakersfield College Football
Renegade football was the ticket to have in Bakersfield before the city’s growth saturated the market with sporting options. But recent success has brought a resurgence to the East Bakersfield football program. One thing is clear: Renegade football is clearly a winning tradition. BC has won four national junior college titles, participated in more than 25 bowl games and won more than 20 conference titles.

Kern County Museum
Learning the history of a city usually takes place in a library, but not in Bakersfield. The Kern County Museum is a unique experience to residents to learn about the city’s past in an incredibly hands-on exhibition. Including the ability to tour actual buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as other exhibits, the Kern County Museum clearly allows learning to be enjoyable.

Chester Avenue
It has been the center of Bakersfield for decades. Chester Avenue has gone through a major fire, cruising and dilapidation, but just like the citizens of the city it dissects, the 10-plus mile street is resilient. The historic street is home to Bakersfield’s lone traffic circle and is truly a local treasure.

Zingo’s
Is Zingo’s the greatest thing about Bakersfield? Some would say yes. The people watching on this Buck Owens Boulevard greasy spoon might even be better than the food, but not by much. Big, delicious breakfasts and coffee and some of the most unique individuals in town make Zingo’s a Bakersfield tradition.

Jim Scott
After more than 20 years of presenting the news to local residents, Jim Scott has developed into one of Bakersfield’s most trusted and recognized faces in news. That trust of the community has shown by winning The Bakersfield Californian’s Best of Kern County TV Anchor award for each of the last five years.

Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks
Few remember all the way back to 1938 when Bill Lee first opened his restaurant at the same location where it sits today. A few more might remember when the take-out division, “Flying Chopsticks Express,” began in 1955. But just about everyone in Bakersfield has experienced the restaurant’s commitment to bringing fresh, quality, authentic Cantonese cuisine.

Father Garces
The historical significance of Father Francisco Garces to the city of Bakersfield is simply stunning. Garces, a Franciscan missionary, was the first European to cross the Kern River (Garces actually called it “Rio de San Felipe”) and enter the area known today as Bakersfield, way back in 1776. Along the way, Garces baptized Native Americans and kept a diary, marking the first written record of the county’s history.

CALM
Kit foxes can be seen all over town. And from time to time, ravens and owls make appearances throughout Bakersfield. But the California Living Museum is the only place to see these together, along with a bald eagle, black bear, bobcat and other species of animals native to California. CALM also displays native California plants, fossils and artifacts, making it a popular destination for children and adults alike.

Cruisin’ 99 Car Show
Despite being in existence for less than 10 years, this car show has developed into one of the best and most popular car shows in the state. Car lovers come from far and wide to check out this extravaganza.

Emporium Western Store
For nearly a century, the Emporium Western Store in Downtown Bakersfield is “where real cowboys shop.” The store’s popularity is clear after winning its 11th straight Best of Kern County award for western wear in The Bakersfield Californian’s annual poll.
Seven Oaks
If a top neighborhood is to be considered as one of the greatest things about Bakersfield, then Seven Oaks has to be included in that conversation. The Castle & Cooke masterpiece in Southwest Bakersfield showcases some of the best that Bakersfield has to offer in fine living, including massive multi-million dollar homes that are sure to be the envy of all who don’t reside there.

The Bakersfield Sound
While Buck Owens and Merle Haggard were among the first to develop The Bakersfield Sound, maybe the sound itself is the actual greatest thing about the city. It has certainly been influential around the country. The Bakersfield Sound was a revolt against the overly produced Nashville Sound that was more orchestral. Electric instruments borrowed from rock and roll gave The Bakersfield Sound its uniqueness.

Oildale
Merle Haggard. Kevin Harvick. Trout’s. Some might even include The Bakersfield Sound into the conversation when discussing Oildale as possibly the greatest thing about Bakersfield. Some might laugh, but many of the things that Bakersfield claims as its own actually come from Oildale. The community North of the River might just make a run through this bracket.

Local Bands
Dating back more than 50 years, bands from Bakersfield have made an impact nationally and sometimes internationally. From the country music of the past to modern bands like Korn and Adema, bands have always made up the general landscape of the city. And the entertainment from bands that don’t make it big make up a large part of local entertainment ranging from rockers at Jerry’s Pizza to jazz at KC Steakhouse.

Beale Library
At 127,000 square feet, the Beale Memorial Library is the central research library for Kern County. The historical data housed at the Beale is impressive, featuring maps, photography, fine arts and genealogy collections, a grant research center and a local history room. In addition, numerous programs for children, teens and adults are offered at this impressive downtown location.

Fox Theater
Downtown Bakersfield’s 77-year-old entertainment gem has had its ups and downs over the years, from hosting top-notch artists in the ’30s and ’40s to closing its doors in 1977 to being saved from the wrecking ball in 1994 by the Fox Theatre Foundation. Today, the Fox hosts everything from live entertainment, foreign films and even weddings.

Fishlips
What opened as simply a restaurant in Downtown Bakersfield has developed into one of the city’s main sources of entertainment. Some of the musicians who have played at Fishlips in the past year are Digital Underground, John Doe (formerly of X), Royal Crown Revue, Rev. Horton Heat, Junior Brown, Eek-a-Mouse and many, many more. The intimate setting makes Fishlips a perfect setting for music enthusiasts.

Meadows Field
Considered Bakersfield’s gateway to the world, Meadows Field took a huge step toward higher quality with the opening of the William M. Thomas Air Terminal. Despite tough economic times in the airline industry, the beautiful terminal – and the ability to fly away from close to home – makes Meadows Field a local gem.

Merle
There’s no palace or museum dedicated to Merle Haggard, but that takes nothing away from this country-music legend’s extensive career. Seeing Johnny Cash three times during a 10-year stay at San Quentin convinced Haggard to pursue singing – not crime – in the future. That future was filled with success including 38 No. 1 hits, numerous top male vocalist awards, election into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.

Lake Ming
With one of the best views in Bakersfield, water activities and fishing, Lake Ming is clearly one of the top things about Bakersfield. The lake, which covers 104 acres, was dedicated in 1959 and has since been a hot spot for boating, water skiing and fishing. And with the hills that surround the lake and the Greenhorn Mountains to the east, the view is simply stunning.

Street Faires
The Bakersfield Downtown Business Association’s monthly street faires have turned into another popular local event and a perfect source of potentially free entertainment. There are certainly opportunities to spend money as downtown businesses remain open to lure visitors into their stores, but the themed street faires are all about good, family-friendly fun with food and entertainment at every turn.