Bakersfield Tour Operators Launch New Historic District and Kern River Routes

Bakersfield tour companies added three new routes this week that focus on downtown streets and the Kern River corridor.

July marks the start of peak season for local outings because school schedules free up families and temperatures climb above 90 degrees most afternoons. Operators say the new options give residents and visitors structured ways to see neighborhoods without driving long distances in the heat.

Routes on 19th Street and the river path

The Bakersfield Heritage Society runs a two-hour walk that begins at the corner of 19th Street and Chester Avenue every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Guides point out the original Fox Theater marquee and the 1920s storefronts that still line the block. A separate operator, Kern River Adventures, starts raft and bike tours from the park entrance at Stockdale Highway and the river path. Both groups limit groups to 12 people and require advance registration through their websites.

City records show 1,850 people took one of the downtown or river tours in June, up from 1,420 the same month last year. Ticket prices range from $28 for the walking route to $65 for the combined raft and bike outing, which includes equipment and a boxed lunch from a local bakery on Oak Street.

Booking details and next steps

Slots for the July 18 and July 25 departures are already half full, according to the Heritage Society calendar posted online. Residents can reserve spots by calling the society office at the Beale Memorial Library branch or by using the Kern River Adventures app. Walk-up space is not guaranteed because of the group-size cap.

Anyone planning a visit should check the daily temperature forecast before choosing the river route and bring water and sunscreen. The downtown walk stays mostly in shaded areas along 19th Street, while the river tours begin at 8 a.m. to avoid midday heat.