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Climbers thoughts on Bakersfield

Original Post
Brent Butcher · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 275

Plan on moving to Bakersfield. What are your thoughts on the city? What is a decent place for a climber to live? How is the local gym? Where do climbers go to have a beer? How often do locals get to the valley? When does climbing season end?

Will S · · Joshua Tree · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 1,061

Shitty town, but great climbing nearby. I almost took a job there a few years ago. Didn't work out, and in retrospect, I'm glad it didn't.

But at least you'll be close to lifetime worth of killer granite, great hiking, fishing, etc. Of course there is all the high sierra stuff, but also the Kern river is reasonably close, with some lower elevation crags around that area that aren't too bad to get to from B'ville. The city is pretty rundown, job base isn't that good so you get a lot of poverty and crime. Kind of a suburban sprawl type town, but without the yuppified/gentrified aspect of higher class suburbs.

vincent L. · · Redwood City · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 560
Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

The Valley?! You're only two hours from the Needles and Dome Rock. Great mt. biking near there as well, plus closer to B-field near Lake Isabella, where they're supposed to be opening a mt. bike park. Then, like Will S said, there's the river, fishing, etc., plus other climbing options closer to home. Then you get to all that granite further north: Courtright, Sequoia, etc. Life in the Central Valley always appears pretty grim to me--hot, bad air pollution, decrepit--but then you've got the whole Westside of the Sierra right there to compensate.

dholte · · Mountain View, CA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 491

from san diego, but its close to kern river brewing; which has excellent beer

Forthright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 110

Why are you PLANNING to move to bakersfield?!?

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Tons of great climbing - winter and summer - really close by.

I think the real down-side to living in B-field is the fact that when you tell someone your from B-field... they look at you like you have three eyes.

We will br passing through town in about 2 hrs on our way north...
really nice in-in-out in Pumpkin Center to hit.

rex parker · · las vegas n.v · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 245

bottom line is ....hell no!!. its not close to anything worth a dam, well in retrospective,.. compton is only a 20 minute drive to the ocean.

Ian G. · · PDX, OR · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 280

It's also one of the more politically conservative parts of CA. Depending on your views, could be a good thing.

Also, google "Valley Fever." It's real and has nothing to do with bored Yosemite locals.

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

I've never lived there, but I know people that have and I have spent some time there. I think Bakersfield gets a bad rap. Downsides - hot and ugly landscape Positives - friendly people, some nice areas and proximity to the Sierra 

T Maino · · Mount Pleasant, SC · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 5

+1 for nice people. My grandparents lived near there and it was always like visiting a time warp... T-10 years. As much as I like the people there it's a pretty rough place to live.

MHLeitch · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 30

Just watch out for the tweakers.

Tim McCabe · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 130

I lived in Kernville for several years, came for the kayaking stayed for the mountain biking and climbing.

People I met from Bako told me that half the population was on meth.

The river is fun but crowded especially on the 3 day weekends. The high country sees little traffic, Black Rock and Church Dome area's, not huge but you can almost have them to yourself.

Brent Butcher · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 275

I appreciate all the information. I'm still torn about moving there. Not sure if I should take this job. Y'all have to remember I'm coming from Oklahoma so I'm use to hot and bad weather and little climbing

MHLeitch · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 30

Just watch out for the tweakers.

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349
"The high country sees little traffic, Black Rock and Church Dome area's, not huge but you can almost have them to yourself."

I wish to add, tons of climbing within a 1/2 hrs drive north of Kernville.
And I have been regulary climbing at Church Dome for like 20 years now.... only ran into two (2) parties!!!!

welcome to California
Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60
Brent Butcher wrote:Y'all have to remember I'm coming from Oklahoma so I'm use to hot and bad weather and little climbing
If you're a climber, then moving from here seems like a no brainer. Not sure what other aspects of your personal life you may be foregoing, but your climbing and outdoor life will certainly improve.
Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349
"Not sure what other aspects of your personal life you may be foregoing, but your climbing and outdoor life will certainly improve"

With ACES?
Brent Butcher · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 275

I appreciate all the responses. I might give it a go.

Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

I can't ever remember, is Bakersfield or Fresno the Armpit of California?

Guess it could be a step up if you're coming from the Anus of Oklahoma...

Rohan de Launey · · South Lake Tahoe · Joined May 2012 · Points: 15

^^^++1^^^
If Fresno is armpit Bakersfield must be the sweaty gooch!

It'll be allright there for a few, 2 or prob just 1 year and no humidity which youll appreciate coming from oklahoma and a good place to get yourself set up on the west coast.. Low cost of living comparitively.., But with all Cali has to offer you should plan to move on to better climes' soon as financially possible..

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern California
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