Located in California, Bakersfield is located right between Los Angeles and Fresno. The population of Bakersfield has been well over 250,000 since 2000. Bakersfield geographic location is surrounded by San Joaquin Valley, the Sequoia National Forest and the San Andreas Fault. The semi-arid dry climate means the weather has long, hot summers and brief mild winters.
The largest carrot producing industry in the world is located in Bakersfield at the Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms. The economy also strives on the many oil fields such as the Kern River Oil Field and the Fruitvale Oil Field. Also, the city has a large automobile center started by one of the famous pioneers, John Barber.
Some of the more popular residential districts include Rio Bravo, Westchester, Stockdale, and Kern City. The downtown area does not have many towering buildings, but a few high rise office buildings such as the Bank of America Building. East Bakersfield is known for having the Kern County Museum famous for its educational programs.
Bakersfield hosts many events such as the Bakersfield Business Conference with notable speakers such as former presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Musicians like Buck Owens developed their country music to reflect a “Bakersfield sound”. The city has the Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in his honor which is a highly revered concert venue today.