List of neighborhoods in Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California has a wide variety of districts and neighborhoods. Generally, its citizens refer to the city by regions, named after directions (for example, the northeast, the northwest, and the southwest). These regions are further broken down into individual neighborhoods and districts (for example, Stockdale and Seven Oaks are part of the Southwest).

The origins of neighborhood names vary greatly. Some are named after a nearby facility, such as Stockdale is named after the Stockdale Country Club.[1] Some are named after previous communities which have been incorporated into Bakersfield. For example, Old Town Kern is named after the former Kern City. However, most come from developers, either named directly (such as Riverlakes Ranch), or after a large named development (such as Seven Oaks).

Bakersfield has historically referred to its various regions by directional names. Such as this tailor shop (circa 1912).

Central Bakersfield (Downtown)

Main article: Downtown Bakersfield

Central Bakersfield refers to the area in the center of Bakersfield. Starting north and traveling clockwise, it is bounded by Golden State Avenue, Union Avenue, State Route 58, and Freeway 99. Central Bakersfield also includes the Arts District, the Lowell Community, and the Oleander Community. It contains the oldest portions of the city; Downtown, Bakersfield’s central business district is located there. It also houses Chester Market, Lowell Place Senior Center, the Ebony Counseling Center, and the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce. Its boundaries vary depending on who a person talks to, but many refer to it as the area bordered by: 24 Street, Union Ave, Brundage Lane, and Oak Street.

North Bakersfield

North Bakersfield refers to the area north of Bakersfield, between California State Route 99 and the Kern River. Currently, it is the only region in which no part is incorporated into Bakersfield. The town of Oildale is located there. It also contains Bakersfield’s commercial airport, Meadows Field. Because of the region's close proximity to the freeway network (state route 99), railroad mainline (Union Pacific), and air travel (Meadows Field), it is rapidly becoming the center of Bakersfield’s distribution industry.[2]

Northeast

Main article: Northeast Bakersfield

Northeast Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as The Northeast) refers to the area northeast of Bakersfield. Because of East Bakersfield’s (see below) boundaries, the Northeast wraps around the region. As a result, there is not as much of a consensus as to its boundaries, compared to other regions. However, the common boundaries, starting at the southeast and traveling clockwise are: E. California Avenue, Mt. Vernon Ave, Union Ave, and Columbus Ave.

Although development started in the 50’s, a lot of the region is rural.[3] This is also the only region to be located on rolling hills. Bakersfield College is located there. This is also the location of the Kern River County Park, a 1,014-acre (4.10 km2) recreation area which contains: Hart Park, California Living Museum (CALM), Lake Ming, and the Kern River Golf Course.

East Bakersfield

Main article: East Bakersfield

East Bakersfield refers to Kern City, formerly known (as the town of Sumner), which was later annexed by Bakersfield. Starting north and traveling clockwise, the region is bounded by Columbus Ave, Mt. Vernon Ave, E. California Avenue, and Union Ave. Because the town was created by Southern Pacific, the streets are laid out parallel to their railroad tracks, which are about 45 degrees off from the rest of the city. This makes East Bakersfield one of the easiest regions to identify on a map. Because it was a city prior to annexation, East Bakersfield has its own central business district (known as Old Town Kern) centered around the intersection of Baker St, and Sumner Ave.

Southeast

Southeast Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as The Southeast) refers to the area in southeast Bakersfield, bounded by E. California Avenue, Mt Vernon Avenue, S. Mt Vernon, E. Bell Terrace, Washington street, Feliz Drive, Cottonwood Road, E. White Lane, S. Union Ave, and Union Avenue. The Southeast includes the M.L.K Community, Jastro Avenue & Mcnew Court, and the Cottonwood Community; which consist of Reece & Cheatum, Casa Loma Drive, Madison & Adams, Watt's & Lotus, and the E. Planz Road & Madison area. The Southeast also contain three parks Casa Loma Park, Bell Terrace Park, and Rexland Park. It also includes Casa Loma Elementary, the Career Services Center, and the town of Delkern most commonly referred to (as the Rexland Park Area, or east Greenfield). It is one of Bakersfield’s least developed regions. Primarily it is industrial, but it also contains residential. State Route 58 travels through the region, and is the main link between Bakersfield and all southeast points.

South Bakersfield

South Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as South Bakersfield). It refers to the area south of Freeway 58 that sits between S Union, and Wible Rd. The area is bounded by Brundage Lane, S. Union Avenue, White Lane, and Wible Rd. This portion of town is primarily residential, although there are some commercial areas. It includes Planz Park, Wilson Park, the Eleanor Wilson Library, and South High School. Major attractions include the Kern County Fairgrounds and the Valley Plaza Mall, although some people consider the mall part of the southwest. South Bakersfield also includes the town of Greenfield. Historically a rural community, the city has grown to its northern border.

Southwest

Main article: Southwest Bakersfield

Southwest Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as The Southwest) refers to the area southwest of Bakersfield, between the Kern River/Stockdale Hwy and Wible Rd. The southwest contains a mixture of residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The Southwest is home to the Park at River Walk, the Marketplace, a major retail shopping center. It also contains California State University, Bakersfield.

Northwest

Main article: Northwest Bakersfield

Northwest Bakersfield (commonly referred to simply as The Northwest) refers to the area northwest of Bakersfield, between the Kern River/Stockdale Hwy, and State Route 99. Historically a rural area, it saw development in the mid 90’s. The towns of Fruitvale, Rosedale, and Greenacres used to be isolated, but are now bordered by the city limits. A major retail center is the Northwest Promenade.

References

  1. ↑ History. Stockdale Country Club. Accessed: 05-13-2010.
  2. ↑ Crisis at the Crossroads. Kern Transportation Foundation. Produced by: White Bear Enterprises, 2008.
  3. ↑ Maynard, John. Bakersfield, A Centennial Portrait. Cherbo Publishing Group. Encino, California, 1997. ISBN 1-882933-19-2. Page 83.
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