Bakersfield

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 29 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
lithomancer

Social climber
slc
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 22, 2015 - 06:34am PT
Tell me about how liveable bako can be. Is there a gym or a climbing community? I like meth as much as the next guy, but is there any other upside to the place?
Johannsolo

climber
Soul Cal
Jul 22, 2015 - 06:37am PT
No, well, closer to SoYo than LA.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 22, 2015 - 06:45am PT
They have an airport and roads leading out of the city to greener pastures.
zBrown

Ice climber
Jul 22, 2015 - 06:49am PT
Try the chamber of commerce website.

http://www.hamcbakersfield.com/
EP

Trad climber
Way Out There
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:17am PT
Action Sports has an indoor climbing gym. Hard boulder problems are at the mouth of the Kern Canyon.

Good restaurants abound. The bike path is 30 miles end to end.

Decent mountain bike trails are in the hills overlooking Hart Park.

October -April are the nicest months weather wise.

Within an hour you can climb/boulder at the Kern Slabs, then stop off at Kern River Brewing Company for outstanding beer and decent food. For the brave and hard, visit Valhalla or the Rincon.

In two hours you can be at the Needles ready to hike in or at the base of Dome Rock, ready to get some Anti Jello.

Living downtown where I do gets you in walking distance of good restaurants, dive bars, and tattoo parlors.

For more info, PM me.

Mike Friedrichs

Sport climber
City of Salt
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:26am PT
[Click to View YouTube Video]
thebravecowboy

climber
The Good Places
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:28am PT
What's an Okie's first three words?
















1. Ma



2. Pa


3. Bakersfield
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:58am PT
http://www.facebook.com/GeraldWHaslam
http://www.geraldhaslam.com/manuel.htm
http://bakersfield-mc.com/?listing_category=motorcycle-clubs

Have fun in the sun, my man.

[Click to View YouTube Video]
Branscomb

Trad climber
Lander, WY
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:58am PT
My personal opinion: the most godawful place in the universe, next to Fresno.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:00am PT
BASQUE FOOD!
Heyzeus

climber
Hollywood,Ca
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:06am PT
^^^^ I Second the Basque food.
Plus Luigi's. And Dewars Candy/IceCream shop.
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:09am PT
It's not LA and it's not far from the Sierra so it can't be too bad? Most valley cities are great weekend warrior spots: not a lot in town but tons within a couple hours.
mouse from merced

Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:11am PT
"Don't overlook the Basque dining establishments in Bakersfield."
--Trevanian
Bad Climber

climber
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:21am PT
Well, ugh. I work there but refuse to live there. I'm up in the remote border regions of Tehachistan at 4,000 ft.

Things to keep in mind about Bako:

1) Least literate city in the US.
2) Usually worst air quality in the US.
3) Freakin' hot.

The best thing about Bakersfield is leaving it, and, as noted, you aren't too far from some GREAT places. There are lots of wonderful people there, and my place of employment--Bakersfield College--is actually pretty good. It does have an interesting crime problem, but probably no worse than any other Central Valley town. It does have Trader Joe's for supplies and a pretty good health food place, Lassen's (excellent organic produce). Because of the above-mentioned issues, it is a pretty affordable town to live in, but you will find some serious money here, too--oil and ag especially.

The town slogan used to be: "Come for a visit. Stay for a lifetime." We used to say: "Come for a visit. It will feel like a lifetime." It think now it's: "Bakersfield: The way life should be," which, of course, begs some serious questions.

Oh, and there's Valley Fever risk, too. But that's not a problem for most folks.

So, yeah, c'mon down!

BAd

PS: I don't get all the hype about Basque food. Blah. I do like a good lamb chop, but I've been underwhelmed by the Basque restaurant chow. To each his own.
curt wohlgemuth

Social climber
Bay Area, California
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:34am PT
The "hype" about Basque food, in my experience, is the quantity. Never have I had more mediocre lamb chops on a plate in front of me than at a Basque restaurant in the SJ Valley.

Also, I wouldn't discount the Valley Fever effect at all. I'm anything but a disease alarmist, but I'd need a strong pull (job, whatever) to get me to move to the San Joaquin.
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:37am PT
I would discount it. I've lived in the SJV my whole life and valley fever isn't even something people think about.

It's like not moving to the ocean because of shark attacks
Cragar

climber
MSLA - MT
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:45am PT
The Basque is to die for. Pyrenees and Woolgrowers are my favs. Chateau isn't bad either. If you are familiar with ID, NV and E-OR Basque you are in for a surprise, it is different in BAKO!! La Colonia is about the best Mex. Luigi's!! WEnt ther weekly from about 75-89'. Great family and the place has hella upscaled since Geno and his mom really started getting after it.
For some climbing/bouldering funness, go up the Canyon and take the old road for about a mile then hike or better yet, ride up Mill ck to Squirrel meadow, looking off to the east when you get about 4 miles up...you'll see what I mean.
10b4me

Social climber
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:47am PT
[Click to View YouTube Video]
guyman

Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
Jul 22, 2015 - 08:57am PT
Within an hour you can climb/boulder at the Kern Slabs, then stop off at Kern River Brewing Company for outstanding beer and decent food. For the brave and hard, visit Valhalla or the Rincon.

So EP.... have you visited the Rincon? I know of only like 6 people with enuf sack to make that hike.... some of the best winter climbing- cragging- in California... IMHO.

I have a cousin who lives in Pumpkin Center.... He loves it, big house on a few acres for cheap, but then again he grew up in El Centro....
EP

Trad climber
Way Out There
Jul 22, 2015 - 09:06am PT
Haven't been there. None of the locals are willing to put in the time. I only know its reputation from reading about it here. Valhalla is as far out as I have gone.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 29 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta