Whether visiting or living in this California destination, there are many things to see and do. Here are attractions, activities and events of interest:

Attractions

Bakersfield Parks, Bakersfield, CA

Dining

Events

2 Egg Hunts - Pool Hunt & Traditional

Festivals

Shopping

Sports

Vacations

Bakersfield is sometimes confused with Barstow, though the two cities are quite different in geography and culture. Bakersfield in the Central Valley is a very busy place, and quite popular for overnight stays and visits. In addition to its major highways providing the road access to move fruits, vegetables, and crops from the area to the distribution regions by truck, millions of tourists pass through Bakersfield on their California journeys.

Bakersfield is the preferred road stop for travelers because of its incredible selection of restaurants and hotels. Home to famous Country Western singers and performers, today you will find some world class concerts held in the city. There's no place in California providing this type of consistent entertainment in the Country Western music genre.

Bakersfield Sound is a term coined to represent the roots of country & western music rising out of the dust bowl era of the 1930's. Texas and Oklahoma were devastated by the lack of rain, turning their land literally into dust. When many packed up and moved west to California, they brought with them their country roots and the creation of the Bakersfield Sound, combining memories of the midwest and south with the new land's promise of better days. Often characterized as a crisp mix of guitar, drums, fiddle, and steel guitar, not like the studio production in Nashville heavily utilizing orchestra background, well-known Bakersfield Sound artists include Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Don Rich. Buck Owens' Crystal Palace Buck includes world class C&W musicians throughout the year. Location: 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93308, Phone: (661) 328-7560. buckowens.com

With hotels in the 1 star to 3 star range, the prices are ideal for saving money. You can push on when driving between places such as Yosemite National Park and L.A. but Bakersfield is worth a stop and a night out.

Chain restaurants in Bakersfield, one of the fastest growing cities in California. Ranked #11 in population as of posting, the city had under 400,000 people and Kern County inched toward one million residents.