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Major city · United States

Maricopa

Skip as a base: 1–2 hours for the Lakeview Gusher site, then move on. No hotel choice beyond one motel; Taft is 7 mi north for food and beds.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Maricopa is a small oil and farm town at the junction of CA-33 and CA-166 in Kern County's southwest corner, about 35 mi from Bakersfield and 23 mi from I-15. Its one real sight is the Lakeview Gusher site, the 1910 blowout that became the largest oil spill on record. There is one motel, a couple of eateries and no reason to plan a night unless you are working the fields or the oil patch.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C (100 °F)+ afternoons), Dec–Feb fog on CA-33 and CA-166
Airports
BFL · LAX
Nights
0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Maricopa911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Maricopa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee to go$2–4
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedMotel room in Taft, 7 mi north, a night, per roomUS$65
  • Mid-range bedMotel room (town's only motel), a night, per roomUS$95
  • High-end bedMotel room (town's only motel), a night, per roomUS$130

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$180

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Lakeview Gusher siteCA-33 / CA-166 junctionOil and agricultureGateway to Carrizo Plain
Airports
BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield (About 35 mi northeast by CA-33/CA-119; the nearest commercial airport) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 130 mi southeast via I-5 and CA-166; the usual long-haul gateway)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    15°C (59°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    18°C (64°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  5. May

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    35°C (95°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    35°C (95°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    15°C (59°F)

Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Maricopa: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

15°C (59°F)

3°C (37°F)

6 rd

Feb

18°C (64°F)

5°C (41°F)

6 rd

Mar

21°C (70°F)

7°C (45°F)

5 rd

Apr

25°C (77°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

May

30°C (86°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

Jun

35°C (95°F)

17°C (63°F)

1 rd

Jul

38°C (100°F)

20°C (68°F)

0 rd

Aug

38°C (100°F)

20°C (68°F)

0 rd

Sep

35°C (95°F)

17°C (63°F)

1 rd

Oct

29°C (84°F)

12°C (54°F)

2 rd

Nov

21°C (70°F)

6°C (43°F)

4 rd

Dec

15°C (59°F)

3°C (37°F)

5 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. CA-33 runs north to Taft and Coalinga and south toward Ojai and Ventura; CA-166 runs west to Santa Maria and US-101 and east toward I-5. Taft Area Transit runs a bus link to Taft three times a day on weekdays only, no holidays — check the current timetable before relying on it.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Taft

go

Door to door: About 15 min

CA-33 north, about 7 mi

Food, fuel and lodging; West Kern Oil Museum and a 1940 Sutter's Fort replica.

Carrizo Plain National Monumentgo

Door to door: About 45 min to the monument edge

CA-33/CA-166 south about 9 mi, then Soda Lake Rd

Spring wildflowers in wet years; Painted Rock and two primitive campgrounds. Bring everything you need — services are minimal.

Bakersfieldgo

Door to door: About 45 min

CA-33/CA-119 northeast

The regional hub for beds, flights and services.

Santa Mariacaution

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

CA-166 west to US-101

Tri-tip barbecue and wine country; too far for a quick return, better as a through-route.

Ojaicaution

Door to door: About 1 h 45 min

CA-33 south

Wine, galleries and hiking; a full day or an overnight, not a lunch run.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Poso St / town centre

The only lodging cluster: one motel on Poso St, walkable to the two restaurants. Book ahead or plan to sleep in Taft or Bakersfield.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–90 excl. bed
Mid
$90–150 excl. bed
High
$150+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel room (town's only motel)1 × 1 night × US$95US$95
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110US$220
Taft Area Transit, Maricopa–Taft one way2 × US$2 · Weekdays only, no holidays; checkUS$3
Fuel, 100 mi at about 30 mpg1 × US$12 · checkUS$12
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$36
Trip total≈ US$198 per person per day, bed includedUS$396

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee to go$2–4
Taqueria plate$10–16
Diner breakfast$10–16
Gallon of fuelcheck$4.50–5.50
Motel room, one nightcheck$70–130
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet farm-and-oil town; the real risks are heat, winter fog on CA-33/CA-166 and long empty stretches with no fuel or phone signal. Lock the car and keep valuables out of sight at trailheads.
  • Fuel up in Taft or Bakersfield: pumps in town are limited and may be card-only or closed at night.
  • Summer afternoons regularly pass 38 °C (100 °F); carry water and do not walk the gusher site at midday.
  • Cell coverage is patchy on CA-33 and CA-166 and around Carrizo Plain — download offline maps.
  • Winter tule fog on CA-33 and CA-166 cuts visibility to a few car lengths; slow down or wait it out.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Kern County Sheriff (non-emergency)
661-861-3110
Maricopa City Hall
661-769-8279

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MaricopaMaricopa

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Kern County Sheriff (non-emergency)661-861-3110
  • Maricopa City Hall661-769-8279

Embassy

No consulates in town; nearest are in Los Angeles. US travellers: your state department of motor vehicles and local sheriff are the practical contacts.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Maricopa → Taft, Taft Area Transit: $1.50, weekdays only, about 15 min (check)
  • Maricopa → Bakersfield by car: about 35 mi, 45 min
  • Maricopa → Santa Maria by car: about 79 mi on CA-166, 1 h 30 min

Say or show

  • Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
  • Is this road open? — Is this road open?
  • I need water. — I need water.
  • How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Call 911. — Call 911.

Print or screenshot this card: cell coverage is unreliable on CA-33, CA-166 and around Carrizo Plain.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maricopa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (38 °C+ afternoons), Dec–Feb fog on CA-33 and CA-166 · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BFL and LAX: last-mile drive times, rental desks, fog and heat fixtures.
  2. Place page for the Lakeview Gusher site with verified access, parking and heat-safety cutoffs.
  3. Eat pages for the two town restaurants with verified hours and last orders.
  4. Taft and Carrizo Plain day-trip pages with fuel, water and cell-coverage notes.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources