Major city · United States
McFarland
Skip McFarland unless you are a drag-racing fan or a cross-country history buff: half a day is enough for the raceway and a pizza lunch.
McFarland is a small farming town in the San Joaquin Valley, known for its high school cross-country dynasty (24 state championships) and the 2015 film McFarland, USA. The main draw is the Auto Club Famoso Raceway, a quarter-mile drag strip. Most travellers pass through on CA-99; there is no reason to stop unless you have a specific interest.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Jan (fog)
- Airports
- BFL · FAT
- Nights
- 0
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 McFarland911 ▾
- 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 McFarland, 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
- SafetyMcFarland is a quiet farming town; typical small-town safety.
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.
- AirportBFL Meadows Field (Bakersfield) (About 30 min south via CA-99; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealPizza slice (Maria's Pizza)$3–5
- Museum or sight ticketFamoso Raceway entrycheck$15–30
- Budget bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
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
- BFL Meadows Field (Bakersfield) (About 30 min south via CA-99; limited flights.) · FAT Fresno Yosemite International (About 1 h north via CA-99.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
McFarland: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
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
Car is essential. CA-99 runs through town; local streets are walkable but spread out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25 min
CA-99 south, about 25 min
Country music history, Buck Owens' Crystal Palace, and full services.
Wasco
goDoor to door: 15 min
CA-46 west, about 15 min
Rose capital; annual Rose Festival in spring.
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.
McFarland
Very limited options; most visitors stay in Bakersfield or Wasco.
Bakersfield
Full-service hotels, 20–30 min south.
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
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel (Bakersfield)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Famoso Raceway entry (check schedule)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Gas CA-99 (round trip from Bakersfield)1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$242 per person per day, bed included | US$484 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Pizza slice (Maria's Pizza) | $3–5 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4–5 |
| Famoso Raceway entrycheck | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures often exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water and sun protection.Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water and sun protection.
- Famoso Raceway operates on a schedule; check the website before going.
- No public transport within McFarland; you need a car or rideshare.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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McFarlandMcFarland
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bakersfield → McFarland (CA-99): about 25 min, $5–10 gas
- Fresno → McFarland (CA-99): about 1 h, $15–20 gas
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the raceway? — Where is the raceway? (where is the raceway)
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 McFarland. 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, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (extreme heat), Dec–Jan (fog) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMcFarland City Hall
- officialAuto Club Famoso Raceway
- secondaryWikivoyage: McFarland, revision 3841106 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about McFarland
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