Bakersfield travel guide

Bakersfield Tourism | Bakersfield Guide

You're Going to Love Bakersfield

With a population of 347,483, Bakersfield is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Bakersfield deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Bakersfield

If you’re looking for affordable options, Brimstone (1702 18th St) and Buffalo Wild Wings - Bakersfield II (3316 Coffee Road) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Nuestro Mexico Tacos and Bar (9660 Hageman Rd. Suite A) and Nuestro Mexico Restaurant (716 21st St) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Bakersfield.

When to visit Bakersfield

Bakersfield in August
Estimated hotel price
$106
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bakersfield in August
Estimated hotel price
$106
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Bakersfield in July, when the average temperature is 84.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 96.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 39.2 °F, with an average temperature of 48.2 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 1.2″. In contrast, July is usually the driest month of the year in Bakersfield, with an average rainfall of 0″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Bakersfield

Plane

When flying to Bakersfield, you’ll arrive at Bakersfield Meadows Field (BFL), which is located 8 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Bakersfield include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and Copa Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Bakersfield departs from Knoxville and takes around 8h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Bakersfield. The train station in Bakersfield is called Bakersfield, and is located 1.0 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Bakersfield is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 160 km from Bakersfield. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

Amtrak operates bus routes to Bakersfield. From Van Nuys, the bus ride to Bakersfield takes 266 km and will cost you around $22. From Las Vegas, the ticket costs about $77 for a journey of 558 km. The most popular bus station is Bakersfield Chamberlain, located 4 km from downtown Bakersfield. Bakersfield Park & Ride/mckee Rd. is also a commonly used station, and is 11 km from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Bakersfield, you’ll arrive at Bakersfield Meadows Field (BFL), which is located 8 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Bakersfield include American Airlines, Qatar Airways and Copa Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Bakersfield departs from Knoxville and takes around 8h 50m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Bakersfield. The train station in Bakersfield is called Bakersfield, and is located 1.0 km from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Bakersfield is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 160 km from Bakersfield. You’ll find branches of Ace and Kyte, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

Amtrak operates bus routes to Bakersfield. From Van Nuys, the bus ride to Bakersfield takes 266 km and will cost you around $22. From Las Vegas, the ticket costs about $77 for a journey of 558 km. The most popular bus station is Bakersfield Chamberlain, located 4 km from downtown Bakersfield. Bakersfield Park & Ride/mckee Rd. is also a commonly used station, and is 11 km from the city center.

Airports near Bakersfield

Airlines serving Bakersfield

Lufthansa
Good (4,680 reviews)
KLM
Good (857 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,506 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,608 reviews)
Air France
Good (983 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,565 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (477 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,942 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,133 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,479 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,815 reviews)
Finnair
Good (878 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (917 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,610 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (1,608 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (4,544 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (966 reviews)
Avianca
Good (1,327 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (815 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Bakersfield

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Bakersfield North/Airport and Ramada by Wyndham Bakersfield North.

Where to stay in popular areas of Bakersfield

Most booked hotels in Bakersfield

Padre Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 603 reviews)
$160+
Courtyard by Marriott Bakersfield
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 764 reviews)
$133+
DoubleTree by Hilton Bakersfield
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1669 reviews)
$133+
Hourglass Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1158 reviews)
$128+
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Bakersfield South
2 stars
Okay (5.3, 1593 reviews)
$55+

Renting a car in Bakersfield

Renting a car in Bakersfield costs $59 per day, on average, or $117 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Avis are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Bakersfield is the Budget branch at 3701 Wings Way, which is 8 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Bakersfield Meadows Field.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Bakersfield (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Bakersfield is Standard (Chevrolet Express or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Volkswagen Jetta or similar) are, on average, 60% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Bakersfield costs $59 per day, on average, or $117 if you want to rent if for 2 days. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz and Avis are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Bakersfield is the Budget branch at 3701 Wings Way, which is 8 km from the city center.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 3% more expensive than at Bakersfield Meadows Field.

Expect to pay $3.94 per gallon in Bakersfield (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Bakersfield is Standard (Chevrolet Express or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Volkswagen Jetta or similar) are, on average, 60% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.