Bakersfield, near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, is an important shipping and marketing center for oil, natural gas and farm products. It also is known as the West Coast’s Country and Western music capital, from which Merle Haggard hailed and to which Buck Owens moved and opened a nightclub, the Crystal Palace.

Each October, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, takes place at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in nearby McFarland; phone (661) 327-4661 for general information or (800) 884-6472 for ticket information.

Visit Bakersfield 515 Truxtun Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone:(661)852-7282 or (866)425-7353

Buena Vista Museum of Natural History and Science

California Living Museum

Kern County Museum