Wildlife · 33 min west
Tule Elk State Natural Reserve
A reserve near Buttonwillow where you can see tule elk behind a fence.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round; best fall rut
- Free
Day Trippin' › California › From Bakersfield
Day trips from Bakersfield
From Bakersfield, Tule Elk is under 40 minutes away, Six Flags Magic Mountain under an hour and a half, and Universal Studios Hollywood under two hours. The best day trips from Bakersfield, by drive time.
177 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
10 day trips from Bakersfield
- Tule Elk State Natural Reserve 33 min west
- Kernville 1 hr northeast
- Six Flags Magic Mountain 1 hr 16 min south
- Universal Studios Hollywood 1 hr 38 min southeast
- Getty Center 1 hr 43 min south
- Griffith Observatory 1 hr 47 min southeast
- Santa Monica Pier 1 hr 47 min south
- Knott's Berry Farm 2 hr 7 min southeast
- Aquarium of the Pacific 2 hr 8 min south
- Disneyland Park 2 hr 12 min southeast
Within an hour from Bakersfield 2 spots
Small town · 1 hr northeast
Kernville
A river town with whitewater rafting, western shops and a nice downtown park.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
1 to 2 hours from Bakersfield 51 spots
Theme park · 1 hr 16 min south
Six Flags Magic Mountain
A big park known for roller coasters, in Valencia.
- Full day · Easy
- Open select days; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 1 hr 38 min southeast
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie-themed rides, a studio tram tour and Super Nintendo World.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Museum · 1 hr 43 min south
Getty Center
A hilltop art museum with big gardens and wide views over the city. Entry is free.
- Half day · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Observatory · 1 hr 47 min southeast
Griffith Observatory
Free views of the city and the Hollywood Sign, plus space exhibits and a planetarium. Sunsets here are a classic LA moment.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Closed Mondays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Landmark · 1 hr 47 min south
Santa Monica Pier
A classic seaside pier with a Ferris wheel, arcade, rides and ocean views.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free to walk on; rides cost extra
Garden · 1 hr 52 min southeast
The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens
A huge garden with a Japanese garden, rose garden, desert garden, library and art.
- Half day · Easy
- Closed Tuesdays (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Wildlife · 1 hr 2 min northwest
Kern National Wildlife Refuge
A birding refuge with auto tour roads and many waterfowl in winter.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round; best winter
- Free
Small town · 1 hr 17 min north
Kingsburg
A Swedish-themed town with painted buildings and cafes.
- 1-2 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
2 to 3 hours from Bakersfield 122 spots
Theme park · 2 hr 7 min southeast
Knott's Berry Farm
Roller coasters, a Western ghost town and famous boysenberry treats in Buena Park.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round; check calendar
- See the official site for current fees
Aquarium · 2 hr 8 min south
Aquarium of the Pacific
Sea lions, sharks, jellyfish and a lorikeet forest in Long Beach.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Theme park · 2 hr 12 min southeast
Disneyland Park
The original Disney park with classic rides and character meetups.
- Full day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Historic site · 2 hr 17 min east
Calico Ghost Town
A restored silver mining town with shops, mine tours and a mini train.
- Half day · Easy
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
State park · 2 hr 32 min southeast
Crystal Cove State Park
Beach, tide pools and coastal bluff trails with historic cottages.
- Half day · Easy to moderate
- Year-round
- See the official site for current fees
Historic site · 2 hr 36 min southeast
Mission San Juan Capistrano
A historic mission with gardens, the Great Stone Church ruins and swallows legend.
- 2 hrs · Easy
- Open daily (confirm before you go)
- See the official site for current fees
Small town · 2 hr 47 min southwest
Solvang
Danish-style village with bakeries, windmills and shops in the Santa Ynez Valley.
- 3-5 hrs · Easy
- Year-round
- Free
Historic site · 2 hr 58 min northeast
Manzanar National Historic Site
A moving museum and a driving tour at a World War II Japanese American incarceration camp.
- 2-3 hrs · Easy
- Year-round; hours check
- Free
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Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 93301 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.