Arrive and settle into your central Bakersfield lodging, then head to the Kern County Museum to get a feel for local history — the outdoor exhibits and train displays are an easy, charming introduction without wearing you out. If you’re hungry, stop by Wool Growers Restaurant for a hearty Basque-style breakfast or grab coffee and pastries at Dewars Candy Shop & Soda Fountain before strolling around the courthouse square and nearby historic storefronts.
Spend the afternoon exploring the artsy stretch along 19th Street and the Father Crowley Park area: visit the Bakersfield Museum of Art for rotating regional exhibits, then wander the murals and boutiques in the Mill Creek and Downtown Cultural District. For a relaxed lunch, try Temblor Brewing’s food-friendly beers and a patio seat, or head to The Padre Hotel’s rooftop for views and a light meal while you plan day two toward the Kern River Canyon.
As daylight fades, enjoy a mellow evening at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace for live country music and a classic dinner experience — check show times and reserve if you can. Alternatively, choose a quieter night with a walk along the Kern River Parkway trails near Riverwalk Park followed by wood-fired pizza at 24th Street Cafe or a cocktail at the Padre Hotel’s rooftop bar to toast the start of your week of day trips.
Drive the scenic route from Bakersfield to Kernville (about 1.5-2 hours) and stop at the Buena Vista viewpoint for sweeping canyon vistas — bring a thermos and warm layers for crisp January air. Stretch your legs with an easy walk along the River Trail in Kernville or the flat section of the Kern River Parkway near Riverkern, then grab a late-morning pastry and coffee at the Kern River Brewing Co. or The Launchpad, a casual spot right by the river.
After a riverside lunch (try grilled sandwiches or trout at a local café), explore short hikes like the Fish Hatchery Trail to the historic Independence Pool area or the Quaking Aspen Trail for a gentle climb and great photo stops; both reward you with river views and interesting geology. If you prefer scenic drives, take the sweep of the Canyon Road toward Johnsondale for dramatic rock formations and roadside pullouts, and consider a quick visit to the Kern River Preserve for birdwatching and quiet marshland scenery.
Return toward Kernville village for an early dinner at Erna's Elderberry House for regional comfort food or at Alonzo's for a relaxed, family-run meal before heading back to Bakersfield; timing your drive back at golden hour gives you lovely light through the canyon. If you arrive back in Bakersfield with energy left, cap the night with a low-key stroll along the Mill Creek area or a craft beer at Lengthwise Brewing to compare tastes from the river town.
Head west from Bakersfield for about an hour to Taft, where you can start with a stroll through Taft’s small but vivid downtown—check out the Taft Museum of Art (in the historic Carnegie Library) and the colorful oil industry murals that tell the town’s petroleum history. Pop into the West Kern Oil Museum to get an immersive, hands-on look at local industry, then grab coffee and a light bite at St. James Coffee or a hearty breakfast sandwich at Texas T's before continuing toward Maricopa.
Drive the short distance to Maricopa to experience the agricultural side of Kern County: visit a local farmstand or U-pick operation (season permitting) and stop at the Maricopa Historical Society site to learn about the town’s rail and farming roots. If you prefer a relaxed tasting, seek out a nearby small winery or olive oil producer for an afternoon tasting—alternatively, explore nearby open landscapes and take photos of windmill-dotted horizons and shuttered train depots that make for quintessential Central Valley scenery.
Return to Taft for dinner at a friendly local spot like Taft Brewing Company or the Black Gold Bistro, where you can enjoy regional comfort food and craft beer amid community murals and oilfield memorabilia. End the night with a slow drive back to Bakersfield as the sun sets over the valley, reflecting on the day’s blend of art, agriculture and small-town character—if you’re still awake, stop at a downtown bakery or soda fountain for a late treat before bed.
Start the day with a relaxed drive to the small wineries east and north of Bakersfield — begin at Tokay Cellars (or another Kern County tasting room like Poso Creek Winery) for a friendly, low-key tasting and an introduction to the region’s red blends and Rhône-style whites. Pair your pours with a light breakfast from a local bakery (try Dewars or a pastry to-go) and enjoy vineyard views; the short drive and mellow tastings are a perfect midweek step after your small-town explorations in Taft and Maricopa.
Spend the afternoon on a mini tasting loop: head to Wible Vineyards or Bianchi Winery (check seasonal hours) for a second tasting and a casual picnic on the grounds if weather allows — many Kern County producers welcome BYO snacks and have scenic lawns or patios. If you prefer variety, visit a tasting room back in town such as Mill Creek Brewing’s wine pop-up events or a downtown tasting spot, then swing by a local olive oil or specialty-food shop in Arvin or Bakersfield to pick up regional souvenirs and pairings.
Return to Bakersfield for a leisurely dinner that complements your tasting day — try Wool Growers for substantial Basque-style plates or The Padre Hotel’s restaurant for a more contemporary menu and a glass from a local label. Finish with a digestif or a nightcap at Temblor Brewing or the Padre rooftop bar while reflecting on the vineyard scenery and planning tomorrow’s Sequoia-edge drive.
Begin with a relaxed morning at the Kern County Museum—wander the outdoor exhibits and historic buildings to deepen your sense of the region after day trips to Kern River and small towns; don’t miss the Phelan Building and the old train cars for great photo ops. After the museum, stroll across to Wool Growers Restaurant for a late-morning Basque-style comfort breakfast or grab coffee and pastries at Dewars Candy Shop & Soda Fountain if you prefer something quicker.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby cultural spots and neighborhoods: pop into the Bakersfield Museum of Art for its rotating regional exhibits, then walk the Mill Creek area and Riverwalk Park to compare the city’s riverfront vibe with the canyon scenery you visited earlier in the trip. For lunch, sample local flavors at Temblor Brewing or 24th Street Cafe—both are great places to swap stories from your wine- and ranch-country outings while enjoying beers, sandwiches, or classic diner fare.
Cap the day with a food-focused evening: start with small plates and a glass of local wine at The Padre Hotel’s rooftop or book a table at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace if you want a lively country-music dinner experience (check showtimes and reservations). If you prefer something low-key, enjoy a farm-to-table meal at Leon’s or a wood-fired pizza at 24th Street Cafe, followed by a slow walk through downtown murals to close out a day that ties Bakersfield’s history, art and food scene together.
Head east from Bakersfield for about 1-1.5 hours toward the foothill towns near the Sequoia National Forest — aim for the Alta Sierra/Quaking Aspen area or Sherman Peak pullouts for crisp morning light and sweeping views of the western Sierra. Stop at the Lake Isabella overlook or the Kern River Canyon pullouts on Highway 178 for quick photo ops and a short, brisk walk; bring layers and a thermos because January mornings are cool and the air is clear for long-distance views.
Continue your short scenic drive up Kernville Road or follow Forest Route turnoffs toward the Johnsondale/Alta Sierra approaches for accessible viewpoints and easy nature walks like portions of the Quaking Aspen Trail or the Fish Hatchery area if you didn’t explore them earlier in the trip. Pack a picnic or grab lunch in Kernville (try Erna's Elderberry House if open) and, time permitting, visit the Western Divide Ranger Station area for maps, quick interpretive exhibits, and suggestions for gentle, snow-free trails or overlooks depending on conditions.
Return toward Bakersfield in late afternoon so you catch golden hour lighting along the mountain foothills — stop at roadside overlooks on Highway 178 for one last vista before descending back into the valley. Back in town, warm up with a hearty dinner at Wool Growers or a cozy meal at Leon’s, and reflect on the day’s big-sky views; if you’re in the mood for a low-key nightcap, try Temblor Brewing or the Padre Hotel rooftop to compare valley lights with mountain silhouettes.
Ease into your final day with a short drive north to Delano (about 30-40 minutes) and start at a local tasting room or farmstand—try the Delano Farmer’s Market if it’s open, or seek out a nearby boutique olive oil producer for a guided tasting and a primer on California table olives. Follow that with a visit to a Kern County wine spot like the small tasting room at Bianchi Winery (check hours) or a pop-up tasting in north Bakersfield so you can compare valley-grown varietals with the Rhône-style wines you sampled earlier in the week.
Head west toward Wasco or Ducor for a Paso-lite vineyard experience: plan a leisurely tasting and picnic at a family-run vineyard such as a smaller Poso Creek-area grower or stop at a roadside fruit stand for local cheeses and bread to pair with your pours; alternatively, visit an olive orchard or specialty-food shop near McFarland to sample oils, vinegars and cured goods that echo Paso Robles’ food-and-wine culture on a smaller scale. If you’re curious about history and scenery, fit in a quick detour to the nearby Riverbluff Park or a photographic stop at rolling farmland vistas—these quiet expanses are a lovely counterpoint to the canyon and foothill days earlier in the trip.
Return to Bakersfield in time for a relaxed farewell dinner that nods to your tasting-focused day—book a table at The Padre Hotel’s restaurant for a composed meal with local wine choices or choose Wool Growers for a hearty Basque-style communal experience that suits a group after a day of sampling. Cap the week with a final nightcap on the Padre rooftop or a craft beer at Temblor Brewing, toast the varied landscapes you visited from canyon to valley, and savor the small-producer flavors that tied this Bakersfield-based circuit together.