Major city · United States
Taft
Visit Taft only for a quick oil‑museum or sky‑diving stop; one half‑day is enough.
Taft is a small oil‑field town in Kern County, California. Its main attractions are the West Kern Oil Museum, The Fort replica, and sky‑diving sites. With limited lodging and services, a half‑day visit (or one full day if you want to jump) fits most itineraries.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, limited water for outdoor activities)
- Airport
- L17
- Nights
- 0.5
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Taft911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
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 Taft, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyTaft is generally safe; crime is low but stay aware of isolated BLM areas at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportL17 Taft‑Kern County Airport (public general‑aviation field, no commercial service).
- Getting aroundCar is the main mode; CA‑33 and CA‑119 connect town to I‑5 (16 mi east).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–3
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$55
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$80 · High US$130
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.
- Airports
- L17 Taft‑Kern County Airport (public general‑aviation field, no commercial service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
57°C (135°F)135°F (57°C)
Feb
not flagged
62°C (144°F)144°F (62°C)
Mar
Best
70°C (158°F)158°F (70°C)
Apr
Best
75°C (167°F)167°F (75°C)
May
Best
84°C (183°F)183°F (84°C)
Jun
not flagged
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
Jul
Avoid
98°C (208°F)208°F (98°C)
Aug
Avoid
97°C (207°F)207°F (97°C)
Sep
Best
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
Oct
Best
80°C (176°F)176°F (80°C)
Nov
not flagged
66°C (151°F)151°F (66°C)
Dec
not flagged
58°C (136°F)136°F (58°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (98°C (208°F)208°F (98°C)), coolest Jan (41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C) low), wettest Jan (1 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Taft: 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
57°C (135°F)135°F (57°C)
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
1 rd
Feb
62°C (144°F)144°F (62°C)
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
1 rd
Mar
70°C (158°F)158°F (70°C)
47°C (117°F)117°F (47°C)
1 rd
Apr
75°C (167°F)167°F (75°C)
50°C (122°F)122°F (50°C)
0 rd
May
84°C (183°F)183°F (84°C)
56°C (133°F)133°F (56°C)
0 rd
Jun
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
60°C (140°F)140°F (60°C)
0 rd
Jul
98°C (208°F)208°F (98°C)
67°C (153°F)153°F (67°C)
0 rd
Aug
97°C (207°F)207°F (97°C)
65°C (149°F)149°F (65°C)
0 rd
Sep
92°C (198°F)198°F (92°C)
61°C (142°F)142°F (61°C)
0 rd
Oct
80°C (176°F)176°F (80°C)
54°C (129°F)129°F (54°C)
0 rd
Nov
66°C (151°F)151°F (66°C)
46°C (115°F)115°F (46°C)
0 rd
Dec
58°C (136°F)136°F (58°C)
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
0 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
Car is the main mode; CA‑33 and CA‑119 connect town to I‑5 (16 mi east). Taft Area Transit (TAT) runs two local routes and a Maricopa link, $1 fare (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Carrizo Plain National Monument
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Drive south on CA‑33 16 mi, turn right on Soda Lake Rd
Limited services; bring water, fuel, and check road conditions.
McKittrick Brea Pit
goDoor to door: ≈20 min
Drive north on CA‑33 7 mi
Tar pit with fossil displays.
Bakersfield
cautionDoor to door: ≈35 min
Drive northeast on CA‑119 30 mi
Better for lodging and dining than Taft.
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.
Caprice Motel
basic rooms, central location
Holland Inn and Suites
offers suites, near downtown
Sunset Motel
budget option, simple amenities
Topper's Motel
budget, limited services
Welcome Inn
budget, basic
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
- Budget
- $45–70 excl. bed
- Mid
- $70–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget motel room1 × 1 night × US$70 | US$70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$80 | US$160 |
| TAT local bus fare2 × US$1 · check | US$2 |
| Oil museum entry2 × US$0 · free | US$0 |
| Skydiving tandem jump2 × US$190 · check | US$380 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$61 |
| Trip total≈ US$337 per person per day, bed included | US$673 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–3 |
| Burger | $6–9 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50–4.00 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited lodging; book ahead if staying overnight.
- Services are sparse; bring water and fuel for BLM off‑road trips.
- Summer heat can be extreme; stay hydrated.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TaftTaft
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Los Angeles; nearest foreign consulates in LA.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- TAT bus Taft‑Maricopa: about $1 per ride (check)
- Car rental day: $45–70 (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑koo‑peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑toh kwes‑ta)
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 Taft. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, limited water for outdoor activities) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add more lodging listings as new hotels open.
- Include seasonal wildflower guide for Carrizo Plain.
Sources
- officialTaft city official site
- secondaryWikidata Taft
- secondaryWikivoyage: Taft, revision 5244566 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Taft
Loading…
Was this useful?