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Most travelers treat Bakersfield as a place to drive through, not a place to stop. It’s the city you pass on the way from Los Angeles to Yosemite, San Francisco, or the Central Coast. But spend a day or two here and you’ll find a walkable downtown, a living slice of American retail history, a deep country‑music heritage, lakes and peacocks, and some surprisingly great food.
This itinerary is built from my PhotoWalksTV visit to Bakersfield. It’s designed as a one‑to‑two day trip with a downtown walking loop plus short drives to some iconic sights.
Where to stay: The Historic Padre Hotel
Base yourself downtown at the Padre Hotel, the 1928 landmark that anchors Bakersfield’s skyline. It’s one of the tallest buildings in town, a restored boutique property with restaurants, bars, and a rooftop terrace.
- Hotel: Padre Hotel
- Address: 1702 18th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Why stay here:
- Walkable to most of the downtown stops in this guide.
- Historic lobby and vintage details, but updated rooms.
- Rooftop views over the city, including the Fox Theater marquee.
If you’re following this itinerary, consider two nights at the Padre so you can do a downtown loop, an evening music run, and some time by the water.
Morning: Downtown Bakersfield Walking Loop
Start and end at the Padre Hotel and do a simple loop through downtown. You’ll hit classic neon, a historic theater, murals, antique shops, and one of California’s great dive bars.
Stop 1: The Fox Theater
From the Padre, walk a few blocks to the Fox Theater, Bakersfield’s 1930 movie palace turned live‑performance venue. Even if you’re not catching a show, the exterior and marquee are worth a visit—especially if you can come back at night when it’s lit.
- Venue: Fox Theater
- Address: 2001 H St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Photo notes:
- Classic vertical marquee and neon signage.
- Return after dark for the best photos of the lit facade.
Stop 2: Guthrie’s Alley Cat – Classic Dive‑Bar Neon
Make your way toward Wall Street Alley and Eye/I Street for Guthrie’s Alley Cat, a tiny alleyway bar that’s been here since 1940. It’s a local institution and a neon‑sign magnet.
- Bar: Guthrie’s Alley Cat
- Address: 1525 Wall Street Alley, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Why stop:
- Vintage neon sign and alley ambiance.
- Even if you don’t drink, it’s a great exterior to photograph.
- Best shot is at night when the sign is lit.
Tip: Do a quick daytime scout, then plan a return visit after dark to get your “classic dive‑bar” night shot.
Stop 3: Veterans & Statue of Liberty Murals
Continue a few blocks toward 20th and Eye Street, home to large patriotic murals honoring veterans, including a dramatic Statue of Liberty mural.
- Mural info: 23ABC coverage of Statue of Liberty mural
- Location: Corner of 20th St & Eye St, Bakersfield, CA
Photo tips from the shoot:
- Don’t feel compelled to capture the entire mural in every frame; go tight on interesting details (like the parachuting figure next to the Statue of Liberty).
- If you’re shooting through a fence, use your phone or camera lens through a gap. A selfie stick can help you reach through safely.
Stop 4: 19th Street Antique Shops
Head back toward 19th Street and wander past the cluster of antique shops that line several blocks of downtown. These spaces rotate, but you’ll typically find a mix of:
- Mid‑century furniture
- Vintage signs and records
- Bakersfield and Kern County ephemera
Search “Bakersfield antique stores on 19th Street” in Maps for up‑to‑date shop names, as tenants change frequently.
Lunch & History: The Last Woolworth’s Lunch Counter
You can’t visit Bakersfield without a stop at the last functioning Woolworth’s lunch counter in the United States, housed inside an old five‑and‑dime building.
- Info: Woolworth’s Diner – Roadtrippers feature
- Approx. address: 1400 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (inside the Woolworth Building)
What to expect:
- A fully preserved mid‑century lunch counter with original stools.
- Classic diner fare cooked right in front of you: grilled‑cheese sandwiches, burgers, and more.
- A mural honoring the 1960 Greensboro Woolworth’s sit‑in and its role in the civil‑rights movement.
Order ideas:
- A grilled‑cheese sandwich at the counter, if you want to recreate the PhotowalksTV experience.
- Combo meals that keep it simple and retro.
This is also a good mid‑day spot to rest your feet before the afternoon.
Afternoon: Country Music, Oil, Water and Wildlife
After your downtown loop and Woolworth’s lunch, hop in the car to explore Bakersfield’s natural side and its country‑music heritage.
Stop 5: Hart Park & Lake Ming – Water in “Oklahoma of California”
Bakersfield is often called the “Oklahoma of California” for its agriculture and country roots, but there’s also water and greenery. Head out Alfred Harrell Highway to Hart Memorial Park and Lake Ming, part of Kern River County Park.
- Info: Hart Memorial Park & Lake Ming overview
- Location (Hart Park): northeast of Bakersfield on Alfred Harrell Highway, near Lake Ming
Why go:
- 160+ acres of lake and recreation area as part of a larger 1,000‑acre park.
- Locals bring boats, picnics, and fishing gear.
- Great place to reset your impression of Bakersfield beyond freeways and oil fields.
Look for:
- Shoreline views, especially in softer light.
- Birdlife and, in nearby neighborhoods, peacocks that wander through yards and along fences. (Locals see them as both beautiful and noisy; you’ll hear them before you see them.)
Optional: Oil Fields View
If you want to visualize the “oil and agriculture” stereotype, drive out toward the Kern County oilfields. There’s no single formal viewing platform, but roads north and west of town give you vistas of pumpjacks dotting the hills.
Search “Kern County oil fields viewpoint” in Maps and scout from public roads.
Evening: Bakersfield Sound, Live Music & Neon
No Bakersfield visit is complete without a night devoted to the Bakersfield sound—the twangy country style made famous by Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and later Dwight Yoakam.
Stop 6: Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame
Start at the Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame, a community venue, performance hall, and recording studio that celebrates local artists and history.
- Venue: Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame
- Address: 2230 Q St, Bakersfield, CA 93301
What it is:
- An intimate performance hall with concerts, events, and rentals.
- A space that honors musicians tied to Bakersfield and the Central Valley scene.
Check their calendar for shows; you may catch local veterans of the scene like former Buckaroos band members.
Stop 7: Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace (closed, but historic)
The legendary Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace—part museum, part restaurant, part live‑music venue—sadly closed, but remains an important part of Bakersfield’s story. In the episode, we were able to give a sneak peek of the interior. From the outside you can imagine:
- The stage where everyone from Garth Brooks to Taylor Swift and Willie Nelson played.
- Buck Owens’ personal memorabilia and the car once displayed inside.
As of the episode, the venue was for sale; whether it reopens will depend on a future buyer and their vision.
Stop 8: Downtown Live Music & Line Dancing
Back in town, Bakersfield’s country music scene continues in smaller venues, including spots run or supported by locals like Emily from Woolworth’s, who opened a music venue downstairs from the lunch counter. Ethel’s Old Corral is located on the edge of town on Alfred Harrell Highway, this is a true “honky-tonk” institution. It’s a favorite stop for the biker community and fans of live outdoor music. Keep an eye out for the 25-foot “Muffler Man” Indian Warrior statue standing guard outside—it’s one of the best roadside photo ops in the county!
Why Bakersfield is Worth a Stop
Bakersfield is still oil, agriculture, and country music—but it’s also:
- A walkable downtown anchored by an almost‑100‑year‑old boutique hotel and a 1930s movie palace.
- The last Woolworth’s lunch counter still serving grilled cheese at the original stools.
- A city with a river, a big lake, Hart Park, peacocks, and a surprisingly diverse food scene thanks to more affordable housing and new arrivals.
- A living museum of the Bakersfield sound and country‑music history.
If you’re driving between Southern California and the Sierra, or between L.A. and the Bay Area, give yourself a day or two to get off the highway and see what Bakersfield is really about. You’ll come home with better photos—and a very different story to tell.
