Bakersfield sits at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, a large city that serves as a hub for agriculture and energy in Kern County. It is also the birthplace of the Bakersfield sound, a country music style that shapes the city's cultural identity. For a visitor, it works well as a base for exploring the southern Central Valley and as a stopover on the route between Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley.
Most of what a visitor needs is concentrated along the CA-99 corridor and in the downtown core, with lodging clustered in a few distinct pockets rather than spread evenly across the city. This guide covers the areas where you can base yourself, what each is like, and which suits different kinds of trips. It does not recommend specific properties.
Best areas to stay in Bakersfield
1. Downtown Bakersfield
Downtown is the historic core, where you find the Fox Theater, the Bakersfield Californian Building and other designated historic sites, along with the main cluster of food and drink venues. It suits first-time visitors who want to be within walking distance of the city's architecture and evening activity, and it works for travellers arriving by bus, since the Greyhound station is one block from the 18th Street area.
The trade-off is that downtown is a compact district rather than a resort area, so you are choosing it for proximity to the centre rather than for space or quiet.
2. Truxtun Avenue corridor
This stretch runs through the civic and convention district, close to the convention centre and the present-day Bakersfield Station near Truxtun Avenue and S Street. It suits business travellers, conference attendees and anyone who wants a straightforward base with easy access to the centre of town.
Because it sits on the downtown edge, you get the convenience of the core without being in the middle of it, and the rail station puts the area on the Amtrak network.
3. North Bakersfield along CA-99 and Olive Drive
The northern end of the CA-99 corridor, around the Olive Drive interchange, is a highway-oriented area with a concentration of lodging. It suits drivers passing through on CA-99 and travellers who want to be on the road quickly in the morning.
This is a practical choice rather than a scenic one: you are trading walkability to the sights for direct highway access and easier parking.
4. South Bakersfield along CA-99 and Panama Lane
The southern end of the CA-99 corridor, around the Panama Lane interchange, mirrors the north with its own cluster of lodging. It suits travellers heading south toward the Tejon Pass and the Los Angeles area, or those whose business lies in the southern part of the city.
As with the north, expect a car-oriented setting where the main advantage is a quick connection to the freeway.
5. The Marriott Drive and Chester Lane area
This pocket, off the main downtown grid, holds a group of larger, suite-style and extended-stay properties. It suits families and longer stays, where more space and self-catering options matter more than being in the centre.
You will need a car for most trips into town, but the area is quiet and set up for guests staying more than a night or two.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Simple motel-style lodging, including national budget chains, concentrated along the CA-99 corridor at the north and south edges of the city. Expect basic rooms and a car-dependent location.
- Mid-range: Full-service and limited-service chain hotels, plus suite and extended-stay properties, found downtown, along Truxtun Avenue and in the Marriott Drive and Chester Lane area. Suitable for families and business travellers.
- Splurge: A small number of upscale and boutique options, chiefly in the downtown core, some with their own dining and drinking venues and strong transit access.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Bakersfield is the best base for a first visit. It puts you within reach of the historic architecture, the Fox Theater and the city's main concentration of food and drink, and it has the strongest transit access, with the Greyhound station a block away. If you would rather be close to the convention centre or the rail station, the Truxtun Avenue corridor is the next best choice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car to stay in Bakersfield?
It depends on where you base yourself. Downtown and the Truxtun Avenue corridor give you walkable access to the centre and to bus and rail connections, while the CA-99 corridor areas and the Marriott Drive and Chester Lane area are car-oriented and better suited to drivers.
Which area is best if I am just passing through on CA-99?
The lodging clusters at the north end, around Olive Drive, and at the south end, around Panama Lane, sit directly on the CA-99 corridor and are the most convenient for a one-night stop.
Where should I stay if I want to be near the train or bus station?
Downtown, where the Greyhound station is one block from the 18th Street area, and the Truxtun Avenue corridor, near the present-day Bakersfield Station at Truxtun Avenue and S Street.
Which area suits families or longer stays?
The Marriott Drive and Chester Lane area, which has a group of larger, suite-style and extended-stay properties in a quieter setting away from the downtown grid.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen using the booking tools on this page.