SoCal Nature Kids’ Guide to Kern County, California

Looking for a nature area to explore with your family in Kern County? Check out these family-friendly places, recommended by me or other Southern California parents. It’s always a good idea to check each location’s web site for updated information before you go, and use your judgment regarding safety for your family at these locations.

KERN COUNTY PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

KERN COUNTY GARDENS AND FARMS

  • Cricklewood Secret Garden (2816 Brundage Lane, Bakersfield, California 93304)

  • Mataurango Museum Gardens (100 E Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555)

  • CSU Bakersfield has an edible garden - anyone (including community members) can volunteer! https://www.csub.edu/basicneeds/edible-garden.shtml

  • Walter Stiern Memorial Rose Garden at CSU Bakersfield

  • Panorama Vista Preserve (901 E Roberts Ln, Bakersfield, CA 93308)

  • Robby's Nursery & Calico Gardens (4002 Terracotta Ct Bakersfield, CA 93314)

KERN COUNTY CAMPING SPOTS

  • Kern River Campground (13375 Lake Ming Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93306)

  • Wind Wolves Preserve (16019 CA-166, Bakersfield, CA 93311)

KERN COUNTY MUSEUMS

  • Bakersfield College has a Planetarium (1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305) with weekly public shows: https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/community/planetarium/index.html

  • Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science (2018 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301)

  • Kern County Museum / Lori Brock Discovery Center (3801 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301)

  • Kern River Parkway Nature Center - Hart Park (8000 River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308)

  • Lake Isabella Visitor Center - Sequoia National Forest (4875 Ponderosa Drive Lake Isabella, CA 93240)

  • Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center - at Ricardo Campground (Red Rock Canyon State Park, 37749 Abbott Dr, Cantil, CA 93519

  • Maturango Museum (100 E Las Flores Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555)

KERN COUNTY HIKING TRAILS AND NATURE AREAS

  • Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge (California 166 & Cerro Noroeste Rd, Maricopa, CA 93252)

  • Desert Tortoise Preserve (California City, CA 93505)

  • Wind Wolves Preserve (16019 CA-166, Bakersfield, CA 93311)

  • Carrizo Plain National Monument (Santa Margarita, CA 93453)

  • Hart Park (Hart Park, Bakersfield, CA 93308)

KERN COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS

KERN COUNTY ZOOS AND ANIMALS

  • California Living Museum (10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93306)

  • Critter Creek Wildlife Station (36710 Sand Creek Rd, Yokuts Valley, CA 93675) is further north in Fresno County but does serve parts of Kern County. They host open houses a few times a year - yes birds of prey