Downtown Bakersfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown Bakersfield
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Central business district
District of Bakersfield |
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Downtown's civic center viewed from Truxtun Tower (also known as Bank of America Building)
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 Downtown Bakersfield
Location in Bakersfield, California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | County of Kern |
| City | City of Bakersfield |
| Subdistricts of Downtown |
List
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| Area | |
| • Total | 1.737 sq mi (4.50 km2) |
| Using the smaller, more commonly associated boundaries for downtown. | |
| ZIP Code |
93301
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| Area Code | 661 |
Downtown Bakersfield is the main center for business and fun in Bakersfield, California. It has many of the city's big theaters, sports places, museums, and important historical spots.
What people call "Downtown" can change a bit. Generally, it's the area surrounded by the Kern River, Union Avenue, State Route 58, and State Route 99. The Downtown Business Association says it's bordered by 24th Street, Union Avenue, California Avenue, and F Street. Some people think it goes even further west and north.
Downtown Bakersfield has some tall buildings. These include the Bank of America Building, which is 10 stories high. The Bakersfield Marriott Hotel is 9 stories tall. The Padre Hotel stands 8 stories high. You can find many shops and cafes along the streets. These places offer great food and shopping. Fun spots in Downtown Bakersfield include the Rabobank Arena and the McMurtrey Aquatic Center. There's also the Bakersfield Museum of Art and the old Fox Theater. The Padre Hotel is a popular place. You can also find a lively nightlife area around 19th Street.
Contents
Exploring Downtown Bakersfield's Areas
Downtown Bakersfield is divided into several cool districts. Each one has its own special things to see and do.
Arts District: A Hub for Creativity
The Arts District is where you can find many theaters and art galleries. It's generally located between 21st Street, Chester Avenue, 17th Street, and G Street.
Theaters here include the Fox Theater and Stars Theater. You can also visit Spotlight Theater. Many art galleries are found near 19th Street and Eye Street. The historic Padre Hotel is in this district. It has been updated and is now a fancy hotel.
Civic Center: Where the City is Run
The Civic Center is the main place for government in Bakersfield. Both the City of Bakersfield and Kern County have their offices here. It's roughly bordered by Truxtun Avenue, Q Street, the BNSF railroad yard, and H Street.
Important government buildings are located here. These include Bakersfield City Hall and the County of Kern Administrative Building. The Kern County Hall of Records and the Superior Court are also in this area.
The Rabobank Theater and Convention Center is also in the Civic Center. This is the biggest theater and convention spot in the city. It's right next to the Marriott Convention Hotel. The Rabobank Arena is a large indoor sports and event place. The McMurtrey Aquatic Center has a big pool for swimming and diving. There's also the Bakersfield Ice Sports Center. This is an indoor ice rink for hockey and fun.
Education District: Learning in the City Center
The Education District is home to several schools and colleges. These institutions have campuses or smaller locations Downtown. This district is generally found between 24th Street, Q Street, 20th Street, and Chester Avenue.
Mill Creek: A Developing Area with Green Space
Mill Creek is another Downtown district that is still growing. When it's finished, it will have a mix of shops and businesses. This area is defined by Golden State Avenue, Union Avenue, California Avenue, and Q Street.
The Mill Creek Linear Park runs through the middle of this district. This park follows the man-made Kern Island Canal. The canal has been changed to look like a natural river.
A major attraction here is the Bakersfield Museum of Art. The Beale Memorial Library is also in Mill Creek. This library is the main one for the Kern County Library System. The Amtrak station is also located here. It connects Bakersfield to other cities by train.
Other Cool Spots Near Downtown
Some neighborhoods are very close to Downtown Bakersfield. Many people think of them as part of Downtown too.
Buck Owens Boulevard: A Country Music Vibe
Buck Owens Boulevard was once called Pierce Road. It was renamed in 1998 to honor Buck Owens. He was a famous country music singer who lived in Bakersfield for a long time. Buck Owens Boulevard runs north and south. It is near Beach Park. This area is known as the heart of Bakersfield's Country Music scene.
The main attractions here are the original Bakersfield Sign and the Buck Owens Crystal Palace.
Westchester: Historic Charm West of Downtown
The Westchester neighborhood is just west of Downtown Bakersfield. Some people consider it part of Downtown. Westchester is bordered by the Kern River, F Street, the BNSF Railroad Yard, and State Route 99. Important places to visit include the Kern County Museum and Sam Lynn Ballpark.
Oleander-Sunset: Southern Downtown Living
The Oleander-Sunset neighborhood is located in central Bakersfield. It sits on the southern edge of Downtown. This area includes two communities: Lowell and Oleander. Oleander-Sunset is bordered by California Avenue, Union Avenue, Highway 58, and Highway 99.
It has several parks like Lowell Park and Beale Park. You can also find Bakersfield High School and other schools here.
Chinatown: A Glimpse into History
Bakersfield once had a historic Chinatown district. It covered about nine city blocks. This area was roughly bordered by 20th and 23rd streets and N and K streets.
Getting Around Downtown
State Route 178 ends at the eastern side of Downtown. It helps you get to the northeast. State Route 99 is about half a mile west of Downtown. It connects the city from north to south. Golden State Avenue (State Route 204) is a freeway that ends at the north edge of Downtown. It provides access to the northwest.
Golden Empire Transit (GET) offers bus services around Greater Bakersfield. You can catch a bus from the Downtown transit center. Kern Regional Transit provides bus services to other cities from the GET Downtown transit center or the Amtrak station. Amtrak offers train connections to the San Joaquin Valley north of Bakersfield. It also has several bus routes to places west, south, and east of the city.
