13 Things To Do With Family In Bakersfield, California

Pedal Along The Kern River Bike Path

The Kern River Bike Path is California’s longest urban bikeway. It goes from Bakersfield past Hart Park and for over 13 miles. Families can enjoy the fresh air and take their time riding bikes next to the water and through beautiful parks. Anyone of any age or skill level can use the paved, flat road, from parents pushing toddlers in a bike trailer to older kids racing ahead on bikes.

You can choose from 5 or 10 mile out-and-back routes with different entry points, such as Truxtun Avenue or Yokuts Park. The path leads to other playgrounds, lakes, and green places in the area, so families can have a full day of activities. Bring a cooler with snacks for a lunch by the river.

Family Fun at Camelot Park

Camelot Park is in the Oleander neighborhood in Northeast Bakersfield. Its magical medieval theme makes both kids and adults happy. The castles in the park have turrets, bridges, tunnels, and other buildings that kids can use to let their imaginations run wild. The park also has a mini-village shop, jail, and schoolhouse.

There are many playgrounds in Camelot Park, including a Toddler Zone for little explorers. The park also has great features like sand volleyball courts, lighted sports fields, and a skate park for teens. A snack shack with tasty ice cream is right there for families to use as a place to cool off with a tasty ice cream cone or a packed lunch. Events like Movies in the Park and holiday parties also make it feel more like the old days.

Get Active at Action Sports

Action Sports is a great place for families to hang out in Bakersfield if they want to do something active inside. The huge complex has almost every sport and game you can think of to keep people of all ages happy. On an indoor track, families can race go-karts. On the Sky Trail, which looks like a jungle gym, kids can walk through hanging ropes and over obstacles.

Laser tag with different levels, mini golf, bowling, roller skating, and video games can also keep you busy for hours. Parents can do things with their kids or just relax in the lounge areas. Action Sports has cheap day passes that make it a great place for birthday parties, rainy days when you have to stay inside, or just spending time with your family without computer games or TVs.

Hiking Adventure at Panorama Vista Preserve

The beautiful Panorama Vista Preserve is just northeast of Bakersfield and is a great place for families who love being outside. The rough but beautiful scenery gives you great views of the valley and chances to see rare animals and wildflowers in bloom when the time is right.

Two miles of family-friendly hiking trails go by sage and juniper trees that smell nice, as well as beautiful rock shapes and other things. There are interpretive signs that tell you about the area’s natural and cultural past, such as the old native grinding stones.

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While the kids play and climb on rocks, adults can look up at the sky for birds like hawks and thrashers that live there. Bring your camera to take pictures of the beautiful views of the valley with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. Folks can cool off with a tasty treat at Frostie Boy, an ice cream shop right next to the preserve, after hiking for up to two hours.

Learn Local History at Kern County Museum

The Kern County Museum has a hands-on science center for kids and a lot of other interesting displays that can help families learn about Bakersfield and the past of the surrounding area. The museum complex is spread out over a large outdoor campus and has ancient homes and buildings from many different periods. Kids can see a general shop from the 1890s, a lost wagon inn from the time of the gold rush, the Tehachapi jail, which was built in 1882, and more.

Old things like phonographs, washing machines, turntables, and typewriters are on display in exhibits to show how technology has changed over time. The museum also has famous neon signs, model trains, old cars and carriages, mining equipment, and an oil derrick that show off two important Kern County businesses. With the help of interpretive displays, both young and old tourists can learn more about how Bakersfield and Kern County have changed over time.

Have a Picnic Lunch at Beach Park

Eucalyptus and oak trees provide cool shade, making Beach Park a great spot for families to set up picnic blankets along the Kern River. A nearby playground with fun equipment like small rock climbing walls is gated off and safe for kids to play in. Parents can use the grills on-site to cook a barbecue or just chill out and watch the bikes go by on the beautiful bike path.

Along with regular trips from the bookmobile, interactive storybook boards are also fun. Family nights by the river can be more fun when there are events like free Summer Movie Nights at the park. Beach Park is located downtown, close to museums, shops, and places to eat. It gives parents and kids a variety of things to do throughout the day.

Go Camping and Boating at Lake Ming

If you like to be outside, Lake Ming is Bakersfield’s secret gem. This man-made lake is open all year for camping, fishing, swimming, and some water sports during certain times of the year. Get a campsite at the lake or rent a house by the water to spend time with your family and enjoy nature.

In the summer, the kids will love swimming at the beach and making s’mores over the campfire. To see every part of Lake Ming, you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, or boats with motors. Just minutes from downtown Bakersfield, Lake Ming is a great place for families to get back to nature. It has a lot of great services and beautiful views.

Explore Hands-On Science at the Kern County Museum

Children and adults alike will love the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield. This big, 21-acre complex has lots of buildings and open spaces to explore, so you can easily spend hours having fun with the exhibits and activities. The Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center is one of the museums in the main building.

Kids can learn about engineering, physics, health, geography, and more through play in this hands-on science area. They can do studies, climb on a huge motherboard, move things with pulleys, test their reflexes by catching balls, and more.

The museum also has a place to pan for gold and wildlife shelters where you can see local animals. Families can explore more ancient buildings outside, where they will also find old trains and cars. Large areas make it easy for parents to watch their kids run around and get some exercise.

Skydive at iFly Bakersfield

Indoor flying is a fun activity that families looking for a different kind of thrill can do at iFly Bakersfield. There is a vertical wind tunnel at the building where people of all ages can safely float and “fly” on a smooth stream of air. Kids as young as 3 can join in with their parents and grandparents, making it a fun game for the whole family.

Before people go into the wind chamber for their ultimate flying rush, professional teachers give them the gear they need and teach them the basics of skydiving. There are different package choices that let you add services like photos and videos to help you remember the experience. There are also sensory passes available so that people with special needs can feel the thrill. Skydiving at iFly is a fun family activity that everyone will remember.

Animal Encounters at CALM Zoo

The California Living Museum (CALM) is a popular zoo and botanical park in Bakersfield that is great for families. You can get close to animals and enjoy beautiful nature scenery. Kids will enjoy seeing animals that live in the zoo, such as leopards, condors, foxes, owls, skunks, and others that are local to the area.

People can learn about the wildlife at CALM by going on walks led by docents and watching the animals being fed. At the zoo, you can ride the Endangered Species Carousel, visit the Butterfly House, and learn through play at the CALM Center. Parents can push strollers along the paved paths that wind through the beautiful botanical gardens that have more than 150 plant types on display. Extra fun can be found at Astronomy Nights and story times, among other things.

Picnic Fun at Park at River Walk

The Park at River Walk is a great place for a family lunch in Bakersfield because it is right next to the beautiful Kern River. Parents can pack lunches for their kids to eat at the covered eating areas with beautiful views of nature. The playground has two areas that are good for both younger and bigger kids, so the kids can get some exercise. After a meal, the whole family can get some exercise at the park, which has basketball courts, tennis courts, and a volleyball area.

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There are paved walking routes for more than three miles, and kids can also ride bikes or scooters on them. And during the summer, you can enjoy free music at the Liberty Bell Gazebo in the afternoon. The Park at River Walk has open green spaces, picnic tables, and BBQ grills, so there is plenty to keep everyone happy on a sunny afternoon.

See Exotic Wildlife at Bakersfield Zoo and Garden

Families love the Bakersfield Zoo and Garden because it’s small but fun, and it has animals from all over the world that people can see. There are monkeys, wallabies, unusual birds, reptiles, and more for kids to see. Lemurs are so fun that they even have their own island. Interactive features, such as feeding areas, let you get up close and personal with the animals in a way that you’ll remember.

At the same time, paths in the shade lead through botanical parks that are full of tropical plants, ponds, and other water features. Every month, there might be special events like animal births or teaching shows. Since it’s in Saunders Park, the zoo is an easy addition to a day that includes playgrounds, tiny trains, carousels, and pedal boats on the lake, among other things. Going to the Bakersfield Zoo is one of the best things to do with your family in the city. It’s fun for everyone.

Conclusion

Bakersfield has a lot of fun things for families to see and do, like museums with lots of life, exciting adventures, outdoor getaways, historic places, and special events. The city is easily accessible and doesn’t break the bank, so it’s a great place for people of all ages to get to know each other and make experiences that will last a lifetime.

Every age group can find something they enjoy on this list of top attractions, from babies to teens and even grandparents.

In Bakersfield, you can take a relaxing walk along the river, play on a colorful playground, learn about science hands-on, or even feel the thrill of indoor flying. So, the next time you plan a trip to California with your family, think about stopping in Bakersfield to experience the magic that isn’t well known.