Bakersfield Neighborhood Night Out
Bakersfield Neighborhood Night Out
Updated: 2024 January, 18th
There’s something special that happens when you buy a home and put down roots in a neighborhood. As you settle in, it stops being just a neighborhood with a name and it evolves into a community where you know your neighbor’s names, create friendships and raise a family - it becomes home.
That feeling of home spills over from your front steps and you begin to find it in all of your favorite places around town. Your favorite coffee shop where the barista remembers your name, that cute little boutique down the street that’s run by a mother and daughter team, and the best Mexican restaurant around that makes a delicious margarita just how you like it.
John and I, have called Bakersfield home for over 25 years and we have found places around town that are our absolute favorite places to relax, have some fun, get a date night in and connect with friends. These places hold feelings of home for us.
We put together some our of favorite Bakersfield Neighborhood Nights to share with you. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Bakersfield, look no further. These are some of our top recommendations for things to do, in different Bakersfield neighborhoods: Seven Oaks/Brimhall, Downtown and Stockdale.
If you’re looking to put down roots in any of these neighborhoods, have a look at our previous blog that gives you the inside scoop on all of these Bakersfield neighborhoods.
1. Seven Oaks- BRIMHALL AREAS
It’s no secret that we love music, and live music is as good as it gets. The Spectrum Amphitheater at the Riverwalk Park might just be one of our favorite spots near the Seven Oaks community in the Southwest part of town.
Bakersfield is known for it’s cool nights and gorgeous sunsets and this is one of the best spots to be on a Friday night to get a complete show of color and sounds.
If you're looking for a spot near by for dinner, we recommend La Costa Mariscos for Mexican food or Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar at the Marketplace. Harrington House, Old River Grill and Sonders is a good choice, too!
When our sweet tooth gets the best of us (which happens often :) ), we like to head over to Dewar's Candy Shop, another longstanding, family run Bakersfield establishment that makes the most incredible ice cream and taffy. They've got quite the reputation around town with multiple locations. We're partial to their express location on Ming Ave. We have two new ice-cream shops in town that are worth checking out, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Sweet Fix Creamery!
2. Downtown Bakersfield
Downtown is one of our favorite areas of Bakersfield. First Fridays or Second Saturdays are especially fun and an event we frequent whenever possible. On First Friday, local artists line the streets with their creations on full display. Local Downtown Bakersfield shops are also open a little later for some extended browsing time.
Some of my favorite stores downtown are Wire and Pearl, Oleander and Palm, Number 46, House of Talula, Native Fox, In Your Wildest Dreams Consignments and Going Underground Records. Many stores offer a discount on First Friday or Second Saturday or might greet you with a glass of Bubbly!
Our favorite downtown place to eat is Mexicali Restaurant.
At Mexicali we love sitting in our favorite booth in the lounge area. They know just how to make our margaritas! (Easy on the sweet and add extra lime, please).
A little local tip, order the green salsa along with the red for a special twist.
For a genuine Glentzer, Mexicali experience, try our suggested menu items:
To start: Green Salsa + Chips
Drink: Margarita on the rocks, light sweetner with extra lime
Main Event: Share a tray of mini tacos and chunky guacamole
Feeling of Home: Watch for friends coming in and share some laughs
After dinner, we like to stop in at Campo Bar and Bottle on G street. They have the most welcoming spot, great natural wines and fun beers, and we always see many familiar faces. They have bottles to go too, so we can grab one for a cozy dinner at home.
If you love art, like we do, check out the Bakersfield Museum of Art downtown or RAM Gallery on the East side.
Other downtown favorites:
John loves to pop in 17th Street Cigars when he is downtown, so if you are a cigar lover, give them a try!
Adventure Awaits is a cultural coffee shop that is so good! My favorite is the Cuban Cortadito and John gets an iced coffee. Check them out!
Mamma Mia is a fun Italian spot for dinner. The Botanist is a beautiful new additon to Bakersfield for a romantic night.
Cafe Smitten is a darling restaurant and coffee shop downtown that has live music. (They also have a Westside location) Their patio is absolutely adorable with string lights and lots of plants. We like to stop in for a glass of wine, live music and watch the sky change colors as the sun sets.
FAVORITE DOWNTOWN BAKERSFIELD SPOTS:
Food + Drink: Mexicali Restaurant, Mamma Mia, The Botanist, Cafe Smitten, Adventure Awaits Coffee and Campo Bar and Bottle.
3. Stockdale-MARKETPLACE AREA
On Sunday mornings the Haggin Oaks Farmers Market, located right by the Marketplace, is the perfect morning stroll to view artisan food stalls, fresh vegetables from Kern County farmers and pick up some coffee for the week from a local roaster.
We really enjoy Sunday mornings here as there is always good food, beautiful flowers and lots of community involvement.
Some of our top dining picks in the Stockdale area are Little Italy. If you're craving an authentic Italian meal in the Stockdale area with a quint, local atmosphere feel, then look no further than Little Italy.
For a quick bagel and smoothie, stop in to Bagels and Blenderz. They're a small, locally owned shop that's especially known for their breakfast.
During the Summer, The Marketplace is a great place to be. On Thursday nights there are live bands playing and Cold Stone Creamery nearby, which makes it the perfect combination while sitting out by the fountain to listen to music and watch people dance. It’s a good time for the whole family and there are always people we know there to catch up with.
FAVORITE STOCKDALE aREA SPOTS:
Food + Drink: Little Italy, Bagels and Belnderz,
Things to do: Marketplace, Haggin Oaks Farmers Market
CONCLUSION
What we love most about these places is more than just the amazing food and incredible music scene that Bakersfield is known for, it’s running into friends and sharing in community. It’s knowing that this is home and there are people and places here that hold a special meaning in our lives. These people carry feelings of home just as much as our favorite places do.
You’ve heard from us and now we’d love to hear from you. Share with us your favorite things to do in Bakersfield and the places that feel like home to you!
WE’RE WITH YOU FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE.
- KATY + JOHN