Region
Kern County
Base in Bakersfield; treat Tehachapi, Mojave and Ridgecrest as separate overnight stops, not day-trips.
Key facts · United States
- Best months
- Apr, Sep–Oct
- Currency
- US dollar (USD, $)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- California ↗Agricultural inspection stations sit on major road entrances into the state; you may be asked about farm visits and fresh produce.
- California ↗Outside San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego cores, a rental car is effectively required; book it before you land.
- San Joaquin Valley ↗A car is effectively required. Intercity buses and Amtrak's San Joaquins run along SR-99, but local buses are slow and rideshare outside the cities is expensive.
- San Joaquin Valley ↗Winter tule fog can drop visibility below 30 m on I-5 and SR-99. Slow down, use low beams, and do not stop on the shoulder.
Kern County is larger than Connecticut and spans four landscapes: the flat agricultural valley around Bakersfield, the Tehachapi Mountains and their wind farms, the Mojave Desert towns on Route 58, and the Sierra foothills to the northeast. Distances are the whole story. Bakersfield to Ridgecrest is about 180 km, and Bakersfield to Tehachapi about 70 km. Pick one base per direction of travel; a single hotel and long daily drives burns the trip.
Sleep
Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- BakersfieldCity guide
Largest city, most hotels and food, Route 99 and Route 58 junction.
Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
JFMAMJJASOND - TehachapiPlanned
Mountain town at about 1,200 m; cooler than the valley, wind farms nearby.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- RidgecrestCity guide
Desert base for the Indian Wells Valley and Death Valley approaches.
Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
JFMAMJJASOND
Day trip
- MojaveCity guide
Route 58 stop with air-and-space history; short visit, not a base.
Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
JFMAMJJASOND - DelanoPlanned
Route 99 agricultural town north of Bakersfield.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- WascoPlanned
Rose-growing town on Route 46 northwest of Bakersfield.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- TaftPlanned
Oil-town history southwest of Bakersfield.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- MaricopaPlanned
Small oil town on Route 33/166; fuel up before you go.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- ButtonwillowPlanned
Interstate 5 services and wetlands; a leg-stretch stop.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- The GrapevinePlanned
I-5 mountain pass between the valley and Los Angeles; winter closures possible.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Bakersfield 2; Tehachapi or Mojave as a half-day on the way out
- 3 nights
- Bakersfield 2 + Tehachapi 1, driving Route 58 east
- 4 nights
- Bakersfield 2 + Ridgecrest 2 for the desert side
- Bakersfield + Tehachapi + Mojave + Ridgecrest in two days is mostly highway.
- Summer daytime temperatures in the valley and desert regularly pass 38 °C; carry water.Summer daytime temperatures in the valley and desert regularly pass 100 °F; carry water.
- Cell coverage is patchy on Route 58 east of Mojave and on desert back roads.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tehachapi | Bakersfield | 60 min | unknown | About 70 km on Route 58; mountain pass can close in winter storms.About 43 mi on Route 58; mountain pass can close in winter storms. |
| Mojave | Bakersfield | 80 min | unknown | About 100 km; combine with Tehachapi in one drive.About 62 mi; combine with Tehachapi in one drive. |
| Delano | Bakersfield | 45 min | unknown | About 50 km north on Route 99.About 31 mi north on Route 99. |
| Buttonwillow | Bakersfield | 40 min | unknown | About 45 km west on Route 58 to I-5.About 28 mi west on Route 58 to I-5. |
| The Grapevine | Bakersfield | 50 min | unknown | About 60 km south on I-5; check chain controls in winter.About 37 mi south on I-5; check chain controls in winter. |
Bags between cities
No county-wide left-luggage or luggage-forwarding service; keep bags in the car or ask your hotel to hold them after checkout. Rental cars can be dropped at BFL (Meadows Field) or in Bakersfield.
When and how
Months, arrival and passes
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | × | × | go | go | go | ok | × | × | ok | go | go | × |
| Ridgecrest | ok | ok | go | go | go | × | × | × | ok | go | go | ok |
| Mojave | ok | ok | go | go | go | ok | × | × | ok | go | go | ok |
| San Joaquin Valley (country-wide) | ok | ok | go | go | go | – | – | – | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield and the valley floorWestern Kern County along Routes 99 and 58 | cool | cool | ok | best | best | hot | hot | hot | best | best | ok | cool |
| Tehachapi MountainsRoute 58 corridor, about 1,200 m | cold | cold | cool | ok | best | best | best | best | best | ok | cool | cold |
| Mojave Desert and RidgecrestEastern Kern County | cool | ok | best | best | hot | hot | hot | hot | best | best | ok | cool |
- Bakersfield and the valley floor
- Mediterranean pattern with almost no summer rain; July–August afternoons commonly 35–40 °C. Winter fog (tule fog) can cut visibility on Route 99 from December to February.Mediterranean pattern with almost no summer rain; July–August afternoons commonly 95–104 °F. Winter fog (tule fog) can cut visibility on Route 99 from December to February.
- Tehachapi Mountains
- 10–15 °C cooler than the valley; snow and pass closures possible December–March.18–27 °F cooler than the valley; snow and pass closures possible December–March.
- Mojave Desert and Ridgecrest
- Best October–April; summer highs above 40 °C. Spring wildflower years vary — check conditions before driving out.Best October–April; summer highs above 104 °F. Spring wildflower years vary — check conditions before driving out.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the comfortable windows for the valley and desert; summer is workable only if you shift outdoor time to early morning and evening.
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Bakersfield | I-5 north over the Grapevine, then Route 99 | ~2 h | The Grapevine can close for snow or wind; check Caltrans before leaving. |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Bakersfield | I-5 south via Route 46 or Route 58 | ~4 h 30 | Long, lightly served stretch; fuel and food stops are sparse. |
| BFL (Meadows Field, Bakersfield) | Bakersfield | Airport car or taxi | ~15 min to downtown | Small airport with limited flights; check current routes and carriers. |
| Las Vegas | Ridgecrest / Bakersfield | Route 58 west via Barstow | ~4 h to Ridgecrest, ~6 h to Bakersfield | Desert drive with long gaps between services. |
Eat and move on
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Basque family-style dinners | Bakersfield | Set menu with soup, beans and a main; portions are large. Many places close early on weeknights. |
| Farm-stand fruit and nuts | Route 99 and Route 58 corridors | Seasonal; most stands are cash-friendly and close by late afternoon. |
| Mexican and taqueria food | Bakersfield, Delano, Taft | The most reliable late-ish option in small towns; check hours, many close by 21:00.The most reliable late-ish option in small towns; check hours, many close by 9:00 PM. |
Go next
San Joaquin Valley
Route 99 north through Delano and Tulare
Continue north for Fresno and the rest of the valley.
Antelope Valley
Route 58 east then Route 14 south
Desert towns and aerospace history.
Inyo County
Route 395 north from Ridgecrest
Gateway to Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra.
Southern California
I-5 south over the Grapevine
Plan around Los Angeles traffic; avoid 15:00–19:00 arrivals.Plan around Los Angeles traffic; avoid 3:00 PM–7:00 PM arrivals.
Central Coast
Route 58 west to Route 101
Wine country and coast; a natural pairing with a Route 58 drive.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source