Recreations & Leisure
Downtown shopping, professional sports and entertainment, outdoor exploration, recreational sports and quality city parks are the primary activities that keep locals busy in their off-hours. Live music is also available at several casual venues in the downtown area. Country music and alternative rock are popular styles. Notably, the alternative band Korn is from Bakersfield. Classical music performances are provided by the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, which has been a part of the community for more than 70 years.
A retail district in downtown is a favorite venue for boutique shopping and distinctive dining. Available wares include antique furniture, western-style clothing and accessories, shoes and souvenir items. Traditional mall shopping is also available at The Marketplace on Ming Avenue, Stockdale Fashion Plaza on Stockdale Highway, Valley Plaza on Ming Avenue and East Hills Mall on Mall View Road.
Sports fans can cheer on Bakersfield’s professional hockey, baseball and arena football teams. Condors Hockey competes in the ECHL, a premier AA hockey league; games are held between October and April at Rabobank Arena. Just when hockey finishes up, Bakersfield’s arena football team, the Blitz, starts its season at the same venue. The local, minor league baseball team is called the Bakersfield Blaze; these games are played at Sam Lynn Ballpark.
Two automotive facilities nearby host racing and other automotive events. Indy cars, sports cars and go-karts compete at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, while Auto Club Famoso Raceway features drag racing events like the NHRA Pacific Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competition. For less structured recreational fun, Bakersfield has more than 45 public park sites, including the Kern River Parkway. The Parkway is a scenic, 23-mile retreat where locals go to get away, either on foot, bicycle or horseback. Other amenities located throughout the park system include lighted softball fields, volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, gymnasiums, disc golf, soccer fields, multipurpose rooms and outdoor amphitheatres.
Outside of Bakersfield, the surrounding landscape provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor exploration. River rafting trips are provided by various tour guides and operators along the Kern River, as are guided hikes within the Sequoia National Forest. Other outdoor adventures available in the region include mountain biking, cross country skiing and rock climbing.