Laurelglen - Bakersfield, CA

The Yokut occupied the area around Bakersfield in southern Kern County until missionaries arrived in the 18th century. After the discovery of gold in the California in 1848, settlers arrived in droves. Retired colonel and attorney Thomas Baker founded the town formally in 1869. The discovery of oil in the area brought settlers from Southern California, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana seeking employment. A land development company once owned most of the land in the southwestern section of Bakersfield, known as Seven Oaks, which includes the residential neighborhood of Laurelglen.

The Laurelglen area has several restaurants, and many other selections are found along major highways. International choices include everything from American cuisine to Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and more.

El Portal on Ming Avenue, decorated in Mexican style, sells flavorful dishes from the Yucatan area. For a real taste of their specialties, try the luscious Yucatan Trio, which includes cochinita pibil, a chicken tamale and poc-chuc. For great sushi, Ichiban on Oswell Street serves a huge variety to suit anyone’s taste. The décor evokes visions of Japan, and the dishes are ample and artistically presented. Dig into the spicy moonshine roll for a real treat, and save room for the green tea ice cream for dessert. Sorella Ristorante Italiano on McNair Lane combines Tuscan ambiance with classic Italian food. The chicken Marsala, with its perfect sauce, transports you to Italy in style.

For an evening of fun, try The Empty Space on Oak Street. This local theater presents plays, musicals, lively cabaret shows and art exhibits suitable for the entire family. Camelot Park, about six miles outside Laurelglen on Oak Street, stays open until late and provides more family fun. Arcade games, go-karts, bumper cars, batting cages, miniature golf and a children’s racetrack keep the kids busy until bedtime.

The old Bakersfield honky-tonk comes to life at Trout’s & The Blackboard Stages on North Chester Avenue, about 11 miles from Laurelglen off Route 99. Rustic design, complete with lots of country memorabilia, adds to the flavor. It presents concerts, live music, line dancing, pool, karaoke and even a mechanical bull. Do like the locals, and go in through the back door. Enjoy a beer and watch a game at B Ryder’s Sports Bar on White Lane. It holds 12 huge televisions, pool, shuffleboard and darts and presents music with DJs and concerts. For camaraderie and big crowds on the weekends, check out Shamrock’s Irish Pub, about five miles north on Coffee Road. Inexpensive prices and the lively atmosphere make this pub a winner.

Golden Empire runs Bakersfield's public transportation system, and in Laurelglen, the 21 bus runs along the Stockdale Highway and Route 58 before connecting with the 46 bus going out to Foothill. The 22 bus runs along Ming Avenue from Mercy Hospital in the west and turns up Chester Avenue.

Several taxi services operate in the area and make home pickups, or you can sign up online for Uber and enjoy fast, convenient service. The major city freeway, Route 99, heads north and south, connecting along the way with Route 58 and Route 178. The Stockdale Highway runs west and east and leads to Route 99. Laurelglen has mostly walkable sidewalks but no bike lanes. The presence of a number of cul-de-sacs still makes bike-riding a safe pastime. Burbank's Bob Hope Airport lies closest to the city at a distance of 89 miles, and Amtrak provides easy service from Bakersfield to Burbank.

Two free community parks service the Laurelglen area: East of the neighborhood, you find Corvallis Park on Corvallis Lane, with grass and mature trees, picnic areas, and entertainment for all ages of children. Westwold Park on Westwold Drive holds picnic tables and grills along with play equipment, courts and exercise areas. A third park, Kern River County Park, lies 16 miles northeast on Alfred Harrell Highway.

Annual events in Bakersfield include sports tournaments, beer and food festivals, a county fair, ethnic celebrations and a rodeo. The Bakersfield Jazz Festival, held yearly at California State University Bakersfield, always draws a huge crowd.

The cost of living runs 5.1 percent higher than the national average. For a single bus ride, the fare costs $1.25. Reduced rates for seniors and the disabled cost $0.75. Children under age five ride free. For frequent riders, a 31-day pass costs $36. The price to rent a one-bedroom residence costs $783. The average price of a beer comes in at about $3, but many places have discount nights. Gasoline around the Bakersfield area averages 2.6 percent higher than the national average.

Valley Plaza Mall on Ming Avenue houses many famous brand-name stores and includes a multiplex movie theater. The Marketplace, another local mall on Ming Avenue, contains a number of businesses, including a large grocery store and movie theater for your convenience, so you can do a little shopping, have lunch and take in the latest blockbuster.

Sweet Surrender presents the best of two worlds, a fashion boutique and bakery in one. Check out the unusual jewelry, treat yourself to an eclair, or take home one of their specialty cakes for later.

For groceries nearby, you can shop at Vons at The Marketplace on Ming Avenue, or shop discount and scan the bulk bins at WinCo Foods up Coffee Road. The Haggin Oaks Farmer's Market operates on Ming Avenue on Sundays and sells artisan breads, vegetables, chicken and many other items. The farmers market's collaboration with health care provider Kaiser Permanente allows you to shop for groceries and get a check-up at the same time.