​KERN VALLEY PLAZA SHOPPING CENTER: Full service Vons, Rite Aid, Home Mart, Burger King, DMV, etc. 5500 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA 93240. 2.6 miles

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​NUUI CUNNI: Native American Intertribal Culture,Visitor’s Center, & Museum; Mission Statement: The NUUI CUNNI cultural center is dedicated to preserving, restoring and teaching our native American culture, history and traditions by providing a facility available for educational, ceremonial and other social activities for native Americans as well as the interested public. “This specially designed building is 3,150 square feet and houses a museum, library, gift shop , and Visitors’ Center. The 5.6 acre grounds features native plant exhibits, artifacts, dance arbor, tule hut, lamada, sweat lodge, prayer garden, and area for large activities.”

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“The Nuui Cunni Native American Inter-Tribal Cultural Center is run by the Kern River Tubatulabal Paiute Council operating under a Special Use Permit offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Forest Service in the Sequoia National Forest. The Council is a 501(c)3 Organization.” 2600 Highway 155, Lake Isabella, CA; (760) 549-0800. 6.0 miles

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HAVILAH: The first Kern County Seat in 1866. A replica of the old courthouse has been built and turned into a small but interesting museum. A reproduction of the old schoolhouse has also been constructed, housing a library and community meeting area. 6789 Caliente-Bodfish Road, Havilah, CA, 93158 (location of converted Courthouse & Schoolhouse sites). (661) 867-2414. 7.1 miles

ANIMAL HAVEN RANCH: The ranch houses various animals, primarily retired trained chimpanzees from the entertainment industry. Please call for tour information. 161 Charity Road, Caliente, CA 93518. (661) 867-2576. 10 miles

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REEL CINEMA: The only movie house in Kern Valley. 6742 Wofford Heights Blvd., Wofford Heights, CA 93285. (760) 376-3030. 10.3 miles

 

​KERN RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM: A short distance from any part of Kernville, the Museum houses artifacts from prehistoric times to the present, a geological and fossil exhibit, mining and ranching artifacts, an interactive history of the Edison hydroelectric plants, exhibits of the movie-making history of the area and construction of the Isabella Dam, thousands of photographs of the early settlers, miners, cowboys and Indians, a giant stamp mill used to render gold-bearing ore to powder, the Stagecoach John Wayne rode while filming scenes of “Stagecoach” in the Valley, and more. 49 Big Blue Road, (760) 376-6683. 14.4 miles

 

KERN RIVER FISH HATCHERY & Museum: The third largest fish hatchery in California runs the Little Kern Golden Trout Restoration Program, Visitors Center and Museum, Fish Culture Center, park and gardens. Check website for hours of operation. 14400 Sierra Way (Mountain Highway 99), Kernville, CA 93238. (760) 376-2846. 16 miles

 

CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM & ZOO (CALM): “CALM is located on 14 park-like acres and features over 400 species of non-releasable animals and California native plants. Only animals injured or who cannot survive in their native environment are housed at CALM, which is accredited through the Zoological Association of America,” according to the website. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93306. (661) 872-2256. 36 miles

 

BUCK OWENS’ CRYSTAL PALACE: Concert venue, museum, restaurant established by Country Music Hall of Fame musician and entertainer Buck Owens, who passed away in 2006. Restaurant, Sunday Brunch, live country and western music, dancing, concerts. Check with website for details. 2800 Buck Owens Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93308. (661) 328-7560. 41.6 miles

 

BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART: A 501(c)(3) institution and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Located in downtown Bakersfield amid “lush gardens with mature trees, camellias, and a waterfall.” 1930 R Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301. (661) 323-7219. 42 miles

 

KERN COUNTY MUSEUM: “The Museum has been collecting pieces of Kern County history since 1929. Thousands of historical and cultural artifacts are displayed in more than 60 historic buildings on 16 beautifully landscaped acres. Treasures such as a one room school, a general store, jail, oil derrick, and seven historic homes join Native American, Bakersfield Sound, mining, agriculture and railroad exhibits.” Admission to the Lori Brock Discovery Center is included with Kern County Museum general admission. The museum is a 501(c)(3) organization under an operating agreement with the County of Kern. 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. (661) 437-3330. 44 miles​

 

BAKERSFIELD NATIONAL CEMETERY: “Set in a beautiful, natural landscape, Bakersfield National Cemetery in the White Wolf area of the Tehachapi Mountains is nestled amidst wide-open stretches, mountain vistas and rolling grazing land where both cattle and camels once roamed.” The 500-acre site is located just south of Highway 58 and west of Highway 223 in a true Old West setting surrounded by the 422-square-mile Tejon Ranch. Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. 30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, CA, 93203. (661) 867-2250. 50.1 miles

 

MINTER FIELD AIR MUSEUM: A 501(c)(3) museum and former WWII air field, which houses some vintage WWII planes. Museum displays military uniforms, artifacts, photographs, aviation art and models of aircraft and military vehicles. Also host to periodic air shows. 401 Vultee Avenue, Shafter, CA 93263. (661) 393-0291. 55 miles

MATURANGO MUSEUM: Cultural and natural history museum of the northern Mojave Desert. Open daily 10-5. 100 E. Las Flores Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. (760) 375-6900. 64 miles

 

INDIAN POINT OSTRICH RANCH: Ranch holding up to 200 ostriches at a given time. Gift shop and antique shop on site; tours no longer available. See website for updated information. 28101 Giraudo Road, Tehachapi, CA 93561. (661) 822-9131. 77 miles

EXOTIC FELINE CONSERVATION CENTER: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit breeding, research, and educational facility dedicated to the preservation of rare and endangered felines. It currently houses 70 cats representing 19 endangered or threatened species. Open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm. Closed Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and the day of the Feline Follies in August. See website for more details and for entrance fees. 3718 60th Street West, Rosamond, CA 93560. (661) 256.3332 (or 3793). 95 miles

 

WATER MUSEUM (Vista Del Lago Visitors Center): “With a sweeping view of Pyramid Lake from its wraparound balcony, Vista del Lago Visitors Center is the largest of DWR’s (Department of Water Resources) three information facilities. Resident tour guides offer guests both personal and school tours. And as installation of new exhibits continues, the center now supports California’s Education and Environment Initiatives (EEI)curriculum,” according to visitbakersfield.com. 38500 Vista Del Lago Road, Gorman, CA 93243. Interstate 5, 17 miles south of Ranger Park [exit on Vista del Lago]. (661) 944-8740. 101 miles

 

MUSEUM OF WESTERN FILM HISTORY: The museum features exhibits of westerns filmed in the area as well as archives and artifacts from the genre in general. The Annual Lone Pine Film Festival is held every Columbus Day weekend. Website has information on filming permits for the area. Call for Hours of Operation. 701 South Main Street in Lone Pine, California. (760) 876-9909. 119 miles

 

MANZANAR NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITE: Monument and museum dedicated to internment camp that housed 10,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. Some camp remains are still located on site. Nine miles north of Lone Pine on US Highway 395. 5001 Highway 395, Independence, CA. (760) 878-2194 x3310. 129 miles

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SCOTTY’S CASTLE: Closed until 2020 possibly – check website link. “Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty’s Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring ’20s and Depression ’30s. It was and is an engineer’s dream home, a wealthy matron’s vacation home and a man-of-mystery’s hideout and getaway.” Ranger-guided tours. There is an entrance fee for Death Valley National Park in addition to tour fees. Located in the north end of Death Valley National Park. Driving time from Furnace Creek (in Death Valley NP) is about 1 hour. Drive northwest on CA 190, then turn right (north) on Scotty’s Castle Road. Reservations at Recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. 215 miles

 

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