One of the best things about living in Bakersfield is how many completely different California destinations are within a few hours of home. You can trade the Central Valley for mountain air, giant sequoias, wine country, or the Pacific Coast without needing to plan a week-long vacation.
Whether you want a quiet couples' getaway or a family road trip with plenty of room for luggage, these five destinations are worth adding to your weekend calendar. And if your current vehicle is making those longer drives feel a little less relaxing, you can explore the new Lincoln inventory at Jim Burke Lincoln before your next trip.
1. Tehachapi, CA
For a quick change of scenery without spending half the day behind the wheel, Tehachapi is an easy choice. The mountain community sits southeast of Bakersfield and offers cooler temperatures, open scenery, local shops, restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to slow down for a day or two.
Spend some time exploring downtown, visit the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, or make the short drive out to see the famous Tehachapi Loop. Outdoor enthusiasts can also find hiking opportunities throughout the surrounding mountains.
Because Tehachapi is close enough for an easy overnight getaway, it is also a great option when you simply want to get out of Bakersfield without committing to a long trip. A comfortable two-row luxury SUV such as the Lincoln Nautilus is a particularly good fit for this type of drive, offering plenty of room for a couple, luggage, and anything you pick up along the way.
2. Kernville and Lake Isabella
Head northeast from Bakersfield and the landscape quickly changes as you approach Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley. Kernville makes a great base for a weekend built around hiking, fishing, rafting, scenic drives, or simply relaxing beside the river.
The area is especially appealing if you want your weekend to feel outdoorsy without driving all the way to the Sierra Nevada's more distant destinations. You can explore the Kern River, spend time around Lake Isabella, grab a meal in Kernville, and enjoy the mountain scenery before heading back to Bakersfield.
Families carrying coolers, camping equipment, hiking gear, or other weekend supplies may appreciate the extra passenger and cargo flexibility of a three-row SUV. The Lincoln Aviator provides three rows while still delivering the quiet, comfortable cabin that makes a scenic drive part of the vacation rather than just the trip there.
3. Sequoia National Park and the Giant Forest
If you live in Bakersfield, seeing some of the world's largest trees should be on your California road-trip list. Sequoia National Park makes for a memorable weekend escape with towering sequoias, mountain views, hiking trails, and some of the most recognizable natural scenery in the state.
The Giant Forest is home to the General Sherman Tree and provides a good starting point for first-time visitors. Depending on the season and road conditions, you can spend the rest of your visit exploring overlooks, hiking trails, and other parts of the park before settling in for a night near the mountains.
This is also the type of trip where road-trip comfort starts to matter. After several hours of driving and a day spent walking trails, features such as supportive seating, a quiet cabin, climate control, and plenty of passenger space become more than luxuries. Bakersfield drivers planning frequent family trips can compare the Aviator with the larger Lincoln Navigator for even more passenger and cargo room.
Before visiting, always check current National Park Service information for road closures, weather conditions, entrance requirements, and seasonal access.
4. Paso Robles Wine Country
For a more relaxed adults' weekend, head west toward Paso Robles. The Central Coast wine region offers tasting rooms, restaurants, rolling hills, and a walkable downtown that makes it easy to turn a simple road trip into a full weekend getaway.
You do not have to build the entire trip around wine, either. Downtown Paso Robles has restaurants, shops, coffee stops, and places to stay, while the surrounding region offers scenic drives through vineyard country. It is an especially good destination for couples looking for a quieter weekend away from Bakersfield.
The drive is also a good example of where Lincoln's focus on long-distance comfort makes sense. A model such as the Nautilus provides the space of an SUV without feeling oversized, while the Aviator adds another level of room for passengers traveling together. If you are open to a previous model year, Jim Burke Lincoln also offers a selection of used SUVs for sale in Bakersfield that can make a capable road-trip vehicle.
Of course, if wine tasting is part of the itinerary, arrange a designated driver or local transportation in advance.
5. Pismo Beach and California's Central Coast
When Bakersfield's summer heat starts wearing on you, few weekend trips sound better than heading west until you reach the Pacific. Pismo Beach gives Bakersfield residents an easy coastal escape with ocean views, a walkable pier area, restaurants, beaches, and access to several other Central Coast communities.
You can spend the morning walking along the beach, explore downtown Pismo Beach, enjoy fresh seafood, or take a short drive to neighboring communities such as Avila Beach or San Luis Obispo. Stay overnight and you can turn the trip into a relaxed two-day break without trying to pack everything into one afternoon.
A coastal weekend also tends to involve more cargo than you expect. Beach chairs, bags, jackets, coolers, and everyone's luggage can fill a vehicle quickly. For larger families or groups, a full-size SUV like the Navigator provides the kind of room that lets you pack comfortably rather than deciding what has to stay home.
Make the Most of Your Next California Road Trip
From a quick mountain escape in Tehachapi to a full weekend on the Central Coast, Bakersfield puts you within reach of some very different California experiences. Kernville offers outdoor adventure, Sequoia brings incredible natural scenery, Paso Robles provides a relaxing wine-country getaway, and Pismo Beach lets you trade the valley for the ocean.
The right vehicle can make those trips even more enjoyable. If you are looking for more comfort, passenger space, cargo room, or premium technology for your next road trip, browse the new Lincoln SUVs available at Jim Burke Lincoln. You can also contact Jim Burke Lincoln to compare models or schedule a test drive in Bakersfield before your next weekend away.