Centre for Neuro Skills-Bakersfield is located at the southern end of California's San Joaquin Valley, one of the country's most productive agricultural areas. Bakersfield is an easy drive from Los Angeles and is served by several national and commuter airlines, as well as Amtrack.
The following information is from the "Community Profile" published by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce.
All America City
Bakersfield, incorporated in 1898, is located in the County of Kern and is the county seat. The city of Bakersfield covers approximately 100 sq. miles, (metro area is 224 sq. miles) and is 492 ft. above sea level. Located at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, it is partially surrounded by three mountain ranges, the Temblor Range to the west, the Tehachapi range to the south and the Sierra Nevada range to the east. The Kern River flows through the valley adding a natural beauty to the area. Bakersfield was designated an All America City in 1990 by the National Civic League.
For more information
Daily Newspaper:
Bakersfield Californian
County web site:
County of Kern
Mileage from Bakersfield
Los Angeles (110)
Pismo Beach (145)
San Diego (235)
Las Vegas (289)
Sacramento (272)
San Francisco (288)
Transportation
Amtrak
Meadows Field Airport
Population
City of Bakersfield (295,893)
Metropolitan Area (451,800)
Kern County Housing
The National Association of Home Builders ranked Bakersfield the most affordable city in California for housing. The median home price is reported at $247,500.
Kern County Employment
In 1993, Kern County was the nation's leading oil producing county and the third most productive
agricultural county in the nation. Grapes, Cotton, Almonds, and Carrots are the top four crops.
The five largest employers of Kern County residents are: Government 21.8%, Services 19.3%, Agriculture 17.3%, Retail Trade 15.9%, and Mineral Extraction 5.7%.
Bakersfield's Major Hospitals
Mercy Health Care (661.327.3371)
San Joaquin (661.395.3000)
Kern Medical Center (661.326.2000)
Memorial (661.327.1792)
Mercy Southwest (661.663.6000)
Good Samaritan (661.399.4461)
In addition, there is a Veteran's clinic (661.632.1800), five urgent care facilities, nine convalescent hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, three physical therapy centers, and three specialty clinics.
Education
Bakersfield has 12 school districts with 56 elementary schools (K-6), 17 junior high schools (7-8) and 13 high schools. The community also has a continuation high school, a community college (the first in the U.S.), a state university, a college of law, and many vocational and adult schools.
Kern County Schools
Bakersfield Community College
Culture and Recreation
Bakersfield enjoys a wide variety of entertainment including many film and stage theaters, museums, art galleries and a superb symphony orchestra. Bakersfield residents are very active in sports, taking advantage of 2 lakes, 5 private and 6 public golf courses, 6 private and 13 public tennis facilities, 5 private country clubs, 2 skating rinks, 3 bowling facilities, 3 auto race tracks, over 50 neighborhood community parks, 300 churches, and 28 libraries.
The Kern River, which flows through the Bakersfield area offers an adventurous time of whitewater rafting. The community has its own minor league baseball and hockey teams and a soccer park for local, regional, and state tournaments.
History
Bakersfield has a rich heritage that goes back 8,000 years to the Yokut Indians who were the first people to settle in the San Joaquin Valley. The valley was plentiful with lakes and rivers. Some of the early explorers of the land were Spaniards and Mexicans, including a Spanish missionary by the name of Father Garces who, in 1776, was the first white man to come to Bakersfield. Other explorers to the area were men such as Kit Carson and John Freemont.
The real growth and development of the town of Bakersfield began with the 1851 discovery of gold in the bed of the Kern River. Another big change came with the discovery of oil in 1865. The discovery of gold, oil, and the rich soil brought a rich cultural diversity to the area. As a result, people from around the world began to emmigrate to Bakersfield. French and Basque settlers introduced sheep ranching, Chinese and Greeks came to build the railroads, while Italians and Portugese helped to establish farming.
The town of Bakersfield was named after one of its early settlers, Colonel Thomas Baker. The Colonel planted a ten acre parcel of land with alfalfa which was used by travelers to feed their animals when traveling from Visalia to Los Angeles. The area was called Baker's field. In 1869 he was appointed to survey a formal township and it was suggested the new town be named Bakersfield since it was already known to travelers as Baker's field.
Climate
Current Conditions
Average Minimum and Maximum Temperatures
January (37-58)
April (50-76)
July (69-99)
October (53-81)
Freezing Days: 11
90 Degree Days: 110
Precipitation Days: 36
Average Annual Rain and Sunshine
Rainfall: 5.72 inches
Sunny Days: 273 days
If you would like to contact the Centre for Neuro Skills brain injury rehabilitation program in Bakersfield, you may do so by clicking here.
