An All-American City
Bakersfield, incorporated in 1898, is located in the County of Kern and is the county seat. The City of Bakersfield covers approximately 111 square miles (metro area is 224 square miles) and is 492 feet above sea level. Located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, it is partially surrounded by three mountain ranges: the Temblor Range to the west, the Tehachapi Range to the south and the Sierra Nevada Range to the east. The Kern River flows through the valley adding a natural beauty to the area. Bakersfield was designated an All-American City in 1990 by the National Civic League.

The Population
January 2003

Education
Bakersfield has 12 school districts with 56 elementary schools (K-6), 17 junior high schools (7th and 8th) and 15 high schools.  The community also has 2 continuation high schools, 1 community college,1 state university, numerous vocational schools, and one adult school.

Culture and Recreation
Bakersfield enjoys a wide variety of entertainment with the  Rabobank Arena, convention center, theaters, museums, and art galleries. Bakersfield residents are very active in sports, taking advantage of 2 lakes, 5 private and 7 public golf courses, 5 private and 13 public tennis facilities, 5 private country clubs, 2 roller skating rinks, 3 bowling facilities, 3 auto race tracks and over 50 neighborhood community parks. The Kern River, which flows through the Bakersfield area, offers an adventurous time of whitewater rafting. The community has its own minor league baseball team, (The Bakersfield Blaze), an Ice hockey team,(The Bakersfield Condors), a arena football team,(The Bakersfield Blitz), and a soccer park where local, regional, and state tournaments are held. Bakersfield also has over 300 churches and 28 libraries.

The  Fox Theater of Bakersfield epitomizes an era of elegance, romance and big screen entertainment otherwise impossible to experience this side of Hollywood.  Today, the Bakersfield Fox is recognized for its fine acoustics and as the only remaining Fox with its Skouras signature intact.

Stars Theatre Restaurant features dinner and a live theater show, all from the comfort of your dining table!  The productions at Stars Theatre Restaurant keep Bakersfield Music Theatre in operation 52 weeks a year. More than 30,000 people participate in our programs annually, on-stange and in the audience.

Located in the Historic Hayden Atrium Building in downtown Bakersfield,  Spotlight Theatre showcases performances on weekend evenings and Sunday matinees throughout the year. Every seat in the ninety-nine seat theatre offers a great view and excellent acoustics. Enjoy the constantly changing shows in our art gallery while you sip on espresso and eat a gourmet chocolate chip cookie. And the Spotlight School of Arts offers a full range of classes for pre-school through adult in acting, singing, dancing, and piano. 

This information was provided by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce