Museums
Family FavoriteBuena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
Under $25A downtown Bakersfield museum of fossils, minerals, and natural history with hands-on science exhibits.
SightseeingLocal GemFoodie FavoriteFamily Favorite
Bakersfield
515 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301 · Bakersfield, CA
Why you should go…
Visit Bakersfield is the city's official convention and visitors bureau, promoting Kern County's Central Valley hub about two hours north of Los Angeles. It highlights music heritage sites like Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, museums including the Kern County Museum and Bakersfield Museum of Art, Basque restaurants, and day trips to Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Carrizo Plain. The visitor information center operates near the Amtrak station in downtown Bakersfield.
- #tourism board
- #live music
- #history
- #food
- #road trip
Good to know
General sightseeing guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Bakersfield, ordered by straight-line distance.
0.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums