More than 56 historic buildings and thousands of historical and cultural artifacts make the Kern County Museum a multifaceted gateway to the history of Kern County. Its themes range from the California Gold Rush to settlement and development, and on to today’s oil and agricultural industries. Historic objects offer vivid insights into life in the county; the different eras do not simply stand side by side, but tell a story of profound change.

History in Buildings and Movements

Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, usually called La Paz, tells another chapter. The site is historically significant for its role in the labor, civil rights, Chicano, and environmental movements of the 20th century. The visitor center is housed in a replica of the original 1914 quarry building that César Chávez used as his headquarters. Here, history is made tangible through a specific building and the way it was used.

Activities at César E. Chávez National Monument include making pin-back buttons, guided ranger tours, and Junior Ranger badges. Fort Tejon State Historic Park offers a different view of historic buildings, with restored adobe structures from the original fort and guided tours. Access is via Exit 210 (Fort Tejon) off Interstate 5. The Tehachapi Loop adds a railroad-history perspective to these historical themes: this California Historic Landmark was completed in 1876 under the direction of William Hood, a Southern Pacific railroad engineer.

The Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park has an important condition for visitors: it is open to the public only as part of guided tours. Check tour dates before your trip. This makes it possible to plan your visit, without assuming the same access conditions apply to places where no such restriction is mentioned.

Rocky Landscapes, Wetlands, and Wildlife

Red Rock Canyon State Park features a striking desert landscape of cliffs, mesas, and vividly colored rock formations with distinctive shapes. Ricardo Campground has 50 basic campsites, drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, and tables. Check what facilities are currently available before your trip.

The landscape at Lokern Ecological Reserve spans about 3,100 acres of marsh, Valley Sink Scrub, and Valley Saltbush Scrub habitats. The Wetland Discovery Trail offers a self-guided nature walk there. Canebrake Ecological Reserve features a different mix of habitats: oak woodland, sagebrush, and wetlands. Hiking and wildlife viewing are possible there. Tule Elk State Natural Reserve protects a small herd of tule elk that was once endangered.

Wildlife is also a focus in different ways. CALM Zoo is home to more than 200 non-releasable animals from over 80 native species. Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science, meanwhile, displays Miocene-era baleen whale, sperm whale, and large sea lion specimens recovered from Sharktooth Hill. Living animals from native species and discoveries from the distant past are presented in very different contexts here.

Outdoor Activities

Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area is in eastern Kern County, next to State Route 14 on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. Its offerings include many miles of trails and open riding areas; access is via Jawbone Canyon Road off State Route 14. When planning, it helps to distinguish this focus on vehicle recreation from the hiking and wildlife-viewing opportunities in the ecological reserves.

At Lake Isabella, visitors can go boating, sailing, water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, and fishing. Recreation there is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. This makes water sports and fishing a distinct focus alongside historic sites, protected areas, and rocky landscapes. The Kern County Fair offers a safe, friendly environment year-round for educational, cultural, and entertainment experiences.

If you choose your trip based on your interests, you can treat the historical stories, different habitats, and water activities as separate highlights. For planning your visit, check the tour dates for Tomo-Kahni and the current facilities at Ricardo Campground.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Bakersfield, Ridgecrest, Mojave, Buttonwillow, Tehachapi, Delano, Lamont, Boron, Wofford Heights, Lost Hills, Taft, Rosamond, Kernville, Wasco, California City, Arvin, Lebec, Mckittrick, Shafter, Inyokern, Pine Mountain Club.

For the overview of the wider area: California.