by The Wayfarer
🎧 Explore Bakersfield with Wayfarer’s GPS Audio Tour: https://wayfarerjourney.com/bakersfield
📱 Download the tour and explore Bakersfield the smart way
Let’s be honest: when most folks think of Bakersfield, “budget travel hotspot” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But maybe it should be.
I’ve spent years poking around California’s overlooked towns and underdog cities, and Bakersfield—sitting like a crossroads between SoCal sprawl and Sierra foothills—quietly delivers one of the best deals in the state. You just have to know where to look. Fortunately for you, I’ve already done the legwork.
Whether you’re passing through on a road trip or spending a few days exploring Kern County, here are some of my favorite free things to do in Bakersfield—each one proof that you don’t have to spend big to have a good time.
1. Stroll the Panorama Bluffs
If you want a sweeping view of the Kern River oil fields that built this town, start your morning at Panorama Park, where locals walk dogs, jog, and sip coffee on benches that overlook one of California’s most unexpected views. It’s not the ocean, it’s not the mountains—but it’s fascinating in its own way.
Stand at the edge of the bluff and take in the checkerboard of pumpjacks and tumbleweed. It’s Bakersfield’s version of a skyline, and a reminder that this town has always been powered by more than sunshine.
(And yes—this stop is included on the Wayfarer GPS Audio Tour of Bakersfield. More on that in a minute.)
2. Walk the Mill Creek Path
Bakersfield’s answer to an urban riverwalk, Mill Creek Linear Park is a ribbon of green space that winds through downtown. It’s clean, surprisingly peaceful, and dotted with murals, sculptures, and shaded benches—perfect for a midday walk or picnic.
Keep an eye out for the Beale Memorial Clock Tower, one of Bakersfield’s most iconic landmarks, and a few blocks from the Bakersfield Museum of Art, which—spoiler alert—has free admission on First Fridays.
3. Mural Hunting in Downtown
If you’re a fan of public art, downtown Bakersfield is full of surprises. On alley walls and empty lots, you’ll find a growing collection of colorful murals by local and regional artists. There’s a powerful series celebrating labor history, another on Bakersfield’s agricultural roots, and even a giant portrait of Merle Haggard in his prime.
4. Visit the California Living Museum (on select days)
Normally there’s a small fee to visit CALM, Bakersfield’s beloved zoo and native wildlife preserve—but they often offer free admission days, especially during local school breaks and community events. Keep your eyes peeled and your timing lucky.
Even if you miss a free day, CALM is still one of the best values in town. It’s home to bobcats, black bears, eagles, and desert tortoises—all rescued animals who can’t be released into the wild. It’s part zoo, part sanctuary, and always worth a stop.
5. Attend a Free Concert or Community Event
From First Friday Art Walks downtown to free summer concerts in The Park at River Walk, Bakersfield knows how to throw a public party. Check local listings or just ask around—if it’s a weekend evening and the weather’s good, chances are someone’s tuning up a guitar somewhere nearby.
The Bakersfield Sound, after all, didn’t come from nowhere. This city has country music in its bones, and live music still fills its streets—often for free.
6. Drive the Wayfarer Tour for (almost) Free
Okay, here’s the part where I share a travel secret: The best way to explore Bakersfield—especially if you’re on a budget—is with the Wayfarer Bakersfield GPS Audio Tour.
It’s a free app that guides you through the city’s most interesting spots—historical landmarks, hidden food joints, public art, quirky facts—with smart narration that triggers based on your location. No maps, no guesswork. Just a smooth, story-rich ride.
You’ll pass by the Padre Hotel, the Fox Theater, the site of the first local honky-tonks, and yes, even the Bakersfield Museum of Art, where you can plan to stop in on a First Friday and explore for free.
📱 Download it now and take the town with you: https://wayfarerjourney.com/bakersfield
7. Explore the Historic Kern County Museum Grounds (Free to Walk Outside)
While there’s a fee to enter the museum buildings, you can often walk the grounds of the Kern County Museum complex for free, especially during community events. The outdoor spaces are home to historic structures from all over the region, including a blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, and vintage homes relocated and preserved on-site.
Even a quick walk past the buildings is a chance to soak in the architecture and imagine what life was like here 100 years ago.
Final Thoughts
Bakersfield is one of those places that rewards travelers who look past the surface. Sure, there’s no Golden Gate Bridge or Hollywood Sign, but there’s a deep, dusty, honest charm to this town—and a whole lot of it can be experienced without spending a dime.
Take a walk. Hear some music. Watch the sun go down over the oil fields. And if you want the best possible companion for the ride? Wayfarer’s GPS Audio Tour has your back.
🎧 Start your free Bakersfield adventure right here: https://wayfarerjourney.com/bakersfieldBecause sometimes, the best things in travel really are free.
 by xotatech.com