15 Signs You Grew Up In Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield, California, for the most part, is a growing community in central California that is way more than just farmland. Bakersfield residents and their lifestyle are unique to the average Californian. As a local resident of Bakersfield, I can honestly say we’re all diamonds in the rough with our own special differences. Here are fifteen signs you grew up in Bakersfield, CA.
1. You’re Ideal Meet Up Spot Is The Valley Plaza Mall Or Marketplace
When younger locals say ‘let’s hang out,’ typically the location will be at the Valley Plaza mall or the Marketplace. Most locals know both areas by heart. With every visit, you’re bound to run into someone from high school you didn’t want to see.
2. Let’s Go To The Beach
Yes, Bakersfield, CA is known for its extreme heat in the summer. Therefore, when residents aren’t chilling indoors or at work. Bakersfield residents are taking a two-hour drive to either Pismo Beach or Morro Bay. Two gorgeous central coast beach locations that love their Bakersfield tourists.
3. Bakersfield Is Part Of The Fire Nation
We’re used to temperatures reaching nearly 110 degrees every summer so don’t come at us with ‘it’s so hot,’ during your 80-degree heatwave on the coast.
4. Almost As Great As Hollywood
When Bakersfield gets mentioned in films, music, or television series were for sure excited to get a little recognition. Some films that included Bakersfield, CA in some way are ‘San Andres,’ featuring Dwayne Johnson and the movie “Cast Away,” featuring Tom Hanks. The popular Nickelodeon show Victorious also made references to Bakersfield. As well as Freeform series The Fosters.
5. Dancing In The Rain
When the weather changes to anything except heat, Bakersfield lets out a sigh of relief. The rain is a gift to us, especially during a drought. Granted, rain and fog don’t happen often enough. Therefore, drivers can be a little crazy in this type of weather.
6. Our Desserts Are Better Than Yours
Bakersfield is a dessert hub, having plenty of options to choose from. If you grew up in Bakersfield, CA then you know Dewar’s, Rite Aid, and Rosemary’s were the best ice cream parlors around. If you wanted to chill with friends on a hot summer night than Sonic was your spot for half off drinks. Plus, who could say no to Krispy Kreme Donuts?
7. Smog Life Is Bakersfield Life
The smog in Bakersfield can get a little ridiculous. With that being said a lot of people who were raised in Bakersfield are just use to it. Personally, I get sick when I’m traveling to places with cleaner air.
8. Oildale, A City In A City
Oildale. This location has its perks with housing a lot of great mom and pop shops and being relatively cheap in prices. But if you’re a person who grew up in Bakersfield you understand Oildale and it’s nature without needing a definition.
9. You Graduated From CSUB
Congratulations on getting a degree. But chances are you attended California State University, Bakersfield and there is nothing wrong with that. CSUB is a nice four-year university but it’s a for sure commuter school. Mixed of students from Los Angeles who chose CSUB because it’s one of the cheaper campuses.
10. Someone In Your Family Works In The Oil Industry
Have you ever watched ‘October Sky,” when the main character lived in a city that was all about mining? Yet, he was interested in rockets and wanted so much more in life than working in the mines. Well, that’s Bakersfield. The oil industry provides a large supply of jobs for men and women.
11. Spending Christmas Eve Driving Around Haggin Oaks
Haggin Oaks may not be a known location for people who aren’t from Bakersfield, CA. But if you grew up in this city than you know Haggin Oaks (the rich neighborhoods) always did the most when it came to decorating for the holidays. They are on ‘Christmas with The Kranks,’ level. They even have a carriage ride, serve hot chocolate and have an outdoors big screen showing old Christmas shows.
12. Country Music Is A Part Of Life
No matter what kind of music you like there is no way to avoid country music in Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield carries a soulful love for country music with legendary country artists such as Merle Haggard and Buck Owens making Bakersfield a household name. No worries, other genres do exist here too such as the rock band Korn who offered a unique sound to rock music. Bakersfield knows its music.
13. The Kern County Fair Is The Same Every Year
Every year in at the end of September and beginning of October the Kern County Fair comes around with the same theme as last year, The Wild West. But do we care? No, the Kern County Fair has some of the best food and continues to give residents a fun experience. Even if that means dipping into their pocket money a lot.
14. In-N-Out Has Your Heart
Of course, In-N-Out is everywhere in California. But having In-N-Out in your city is a Californian birthright. Almost every Bakersfield, CA resident has tasted one of In-N-Out’s delicious burgers and has become addicted to their food. And we know the secret menu as well. Give us animal fries or give us death.
15. Bakersfield Is A Black Hole
It almost comes up in every scenario about Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield is a black hole that sucks you in. That means you’ll have a hard time leaving your hometown or you’ll eventually have to come back for some unexpected reason. Is this a bad thing? Yes. Okay, not always. Bakersfield is home. You can run but you can’t hide.
