Major Cities Near Bakersfield 🏙 – Guide to Towns & Cities Close to Bakersfield CA: Distance, Facts & More

Planning on visiting or moving to Bakersfield in the coming months? Situated north of Los Angeles, Bakersfield is a wonderful city in southern California. Known for its great weather, exceptional museums, outstanding schools, and for the role it played in developing the country music scene, Bakersfield is truly a one-of-a-kind place. If you’re looking to venture away from the city center, there are dozens of other cities and towns within a 30-mile radius of Bakersfield. Check out our complete guide to the closest cities near Bakersfield, CA — including sizes, distances, and population!

Largest Cities Near Bakersfield, CA

Within approximately 30 square miles of Bakersfield, there are a variety of towns and cities ready for you to explore. Here are the closest cities to Bakersfield with the highest populations.

Wasco, CA – 27.9 miles from Bakersfield

• Population: 28,173
• County: Kern County

Situated in the San Joaquin Valley, Wasco is a thriving city that is located northwest of Bakersfield. Wasco is located approximately 27.9 miles away from Bakersfield, and is encompassed by Kern County. This makes Wasco a great locale for commuters who work in or around Bakersfield. As a bonus, this is a highly affordable place to live, which is in contrast to the high cost of living seen throughout much of southern California. One notable part of Wasco is its rapidly growing population. Over the last decade, the population has increased almost 10%!

Acclaimed for its family-friendly parks and museums, there’s plenty to do without leaving town. Some of the best spots to check out include Westside Park, Barker Park, and the Wasco Historical Society & Museum. Wasco also encompasses several highly-rated schools that span each grade level, a county airport, and a variety of restaurants and retailers.

Shafter, CA – 18.5 miles to Bakersfield

• Population: 20,678
• County: Kern County

Nestled just over 18 miles west-northwest of Bakersfield, Shafter, CA is a quiet, rural city. It is one of the closest nearby cities to Bakersfield. In addition to its rural appeal, the area boasts select spots that have a suburban look and feel. Although the population continues to grow, the area still maintains a cozy, small-town vibe. There are few businesses in the area aside from what is found in the center of the city.

Some of the most popular places to visit in Shafter include the Shafter Depot Museum, Minter Field Air Museum, Mannel Park, and the Shafter Ford Theater. This is a wonderful locale for individuals and families seeking the height of peace and privacy. Located close to Bakersfield, the top amenities and conveniences of the city are never too far away, giving residents of Shafter the best of both worlds.

Arvin, CA – 22.4 miles from Bakersfield

• Population: 19,669
• County: Kern County

Home to a growing population and scenic mountain vistas, Arvin is one of the best cities close to Bakersfield. Arvin is located 22.4 miles southeast of Bakersfield, which is just under a 30 minute drive. This close proximity between the two cities makes it quick and easy to get to and from each destination. Arvin is an almost exclusively residential community, with few businesses on the outskirts of town.

The northern edge of Arvin sits along Bear Mountain Boulevard, which serves as the major road that connects the area to all nearby cities (including Bakersfield). Neighborhoods in Arvin have suburban appeal, and are lined with single-family, Spanish-style homes. One of the most impressive aspects of living in Arvin is its stunning views of the mountains. No matter where you are located, you’ll always be surrounded by gorgeous scenery and towering palm trees.

Lamont, CA – 13.9 miles to Bakersfield

• Population: 14,724
• County: Kern County

Classified as a census-designated place (CDP), Lamont is another great place to reside near Bakersfield. Compact yet full of conveniences and amenities, locals agree that this is one of the top towns around Bakersfield.

Main Street runs down the center of Lamont, and is brimming with restaurants, shops, and essential businesses. This is where residents and visitors will find places such as Chilate Restaurant, Fiesta Market, and a selection of national fast food chains. In their free time, individuals and families living in Lamont love visiting places such as the Bear Mountain Recreation Center, as well as spacious Lamont Park. Steps away from Lamont Park, you’ll find Lamont Elementary School, as well as the Lamont Branch Library, making this part of town especially family-friendly.

Residential neighborhoods throughout Lamont are quiet, undisturbed, and excellent for people at all stages of life. Some spots in Lamont have a rural feel, which is suitable for those wanting extra privacy and seclusion from city life.

McFarland, CA – 25.6 miles from Bakersfield

• Population: 14,459
• County: Kern County

Quiet, laid-back, and family-friendly, McFarland, CA is one of the best cities close to Bakersfield. The area is a quick 26 minute drive northwest of Bakersfield, making it easy to access the city. It is adjacent to other top cities near Bakersfield, including Wasco.

Filled with prime amenities — such as schools, playgrounds, and parks — McFarland is a kid-friendly place to reside. Top conveniences include sprawling McFarland Park (which includes a community pool, playground, and fields), Kern Avenue Elementary School, and the Kern County Library-McFarland. In their leisure time, residents like to spend their days at Browning Road Park, Villa Del Caribe Park, and Ritchey Park. A short drive from McFarland, locals can access the breathtaking Kern National Wildlife Refuge. Open year-round, visitors can drive through the refuge’s six mile auto route to view wildlife and gorgeous vistas. Connected to cities surrounding Bakersfield via the Golden State Highway, travel is always a breeze for area locals.

Taft, CA – 36.7 miles from Bakersfield

• Population: 8,651
• County: Kern County

Although slightly outside of the 30 mile parameter, Taft is one of the more notable towns around Bakersfield. Combining both suburban and rural settings, life here is far removed from the hustle and bustle of city living. Taft is most well-known for being the home of Taft College, and for being a major natural gas and petroleum production region. Its role in producing natural gas and petroleum is obvious after seeing the names of area attractions and locales, such as the West Kern Oil Museum, the Petroleum Club auditorium, and Petroleum Club Road.

In the center of town, residents enjoy having quick access to everything they want and need. This includes a selection of restaurants, national chain stores, West Side Recreation & Park, Civic Center Park, and highly-rated schools. Although Taft is encompassed on the outer edge of Kern County, the city is close to rural outdoor attractions, such as the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

Other Cities in Bakersfield

Wondering what other cities are located near Bakersfield? Whether you’re in search of rural living, a cozy suburb, or a bustling city, there are plenty of options from which you can choose. Here are other cities near Bakersfield with a population of at least 400. All these cities are within 45 miles of Bakersfield, and can be traveled to within an hour.

Map of Cities Near Bakersfield and Surrounding Area

Small Cities & Towns Near Bakersfield

Searching for the smallest cities and towns near Bakersfield? Due to the rural surroundings, many of the towns near Bakersfield are extremely small in size. These CDPs, towns, and cities are an excellent choice for those who are looking to escape the busyness of city life. They each have their own merits, including peaceful residential neighborhoods, low crime rates (Maricopa and Bodfish have especially low crime rates), and nearby amenities.

Measured by population, here is a comprehensive list of the smallest cities closest to Bakersfield.

Major Cities Near Bakersfield

Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County. It’s part of southern California, and is located just north of Los Angeles. Bakersfield is the 9th largest city in California.

Close to Bakersfield, there are other large cities within approximately 30 miles. Here are the major cities close to Bakersfield in southern California. All are within driving distance for those who wish to commute to and from each locale!

Bakersfield Area Cities FAQs

What are the closest cities to Bakersfield?

The closest cities to Bakersfield are Fuller Acres, Lamont, and Shafter. Each of these cities are located less than 20 miles away from Bakersfield.

What cities (or towns) are 1 hour from Bakersfield?

Cities or towns that are approximately one hour from Bakersfield include Bodfish and Maricopa.

What cities (or towns) are 30 minutes from Bakersfield?

Cities or towns that are approximately 30 minutes (or less) from Bakersfield include Smith Corner, Fuller Acres, McFarland, Lamont, Arvin, Shafter, and Wasco.

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