Mary's Guide to the Kern River Valley / Sequoia National Park
KRV Bucket List
Don’t go home without checking these out!
CLOSED 2023 (due to water damage).
This lightly traveled riprarian sanctuary is often missed by visitors, but highly recommended for nature lovers and birders. Sponsored by the Audubon Society, there is a lovely nature walk, seasonal native flowers, and many bird species to enjoy. And lots of the time, you'll see few other humans around! As you drive through a field from the entrance, look off to the right to see an old factory that has been converted to owl condos!
17 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Kern River Preserve
18747 CA-178CLOSED 2023 (due to water damage).
This lightly traveled riprarian sanctuary is often missed by visitors, but highly recommended for nature lovers and birders. Sponsored by the Audubon Society, there is a lovely nature walk, seasonal native flowers, and many bird species to enjoy. And lots of the time, you'll see few other humans around! As you drive through a field from the entrance, look off to the right to see an old factory that has been converted to owl condos!
When it comes to river rafting, this outfit has the most professional guides with a variety of trip options from 1/2 to 3-day trips. Rafting is seasonal, typically April through summertime, depending on river conditions. The 2022 season ended in mid-August. 2023 is looking much more robust and exciting!
29 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Sierra South Mountain Sports
11300 Kernville RdWhen it comes to river rafting, this outfit has the most professional guides with a variety of trip options from 1/2 to 3-day trips. Rafting is seasonal, typically April through summertime, depending on river conditions. The 2022 season ended in mid-August. 2023 is looking much more robust and exciting!
One hour north of our home, this grove is the southernmost stand of Sequoias in California. The trail is easily accessible, and there are lots of useful signage and photo opps. Just be warned: the 2021 wildfires devastated hundreds of trees, and the dead are still visible. You'll notice that even some of these precious, irreplaceable giants got scorched. But nature’s ability to heal and grow is incredible!
110 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Trail of 100 Giants Trailhead
County Route 107One hour north of our home, this grove is the southernmost stand of Sequoias in California. The trail is easily accessible, and there are lots of useful signage and photo opps. Just be warned: the 2021 wildfires devastated hundreds of trees, and the dead are still visible. You'll notice that even some of these precious, irreplaceable giants got scorched. But nature’s ability to heal and grow is incredible!
This volunteer-run museum will give you a quick overview, or you can follow a particular aspect of early life - local indigenous history, mining, ranching/agriculture, film and TV, and more. You'll enter via a bookstore, chock full of goodies, treats and souvenirs. Looking to learn something specific? Just ask!
32 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Kern Valley Museum
49 Big Blue RdThis volunteer-run museum will give you a quick overview, or you can follow a particular aspect of early life - local indigenous history, mining, ranching/agriculture, film and TV, and more. You'll enter via a bookstore, chock full of goodies, treats and souvenirs. Looking to learn something specific? Just ask!
Sweet little hangout in French Gulch on Lake Isabella. A cool building with plenty of crafts and jewelry to buy. Indian tacos are available ($15), from 10 am-2 pm the second Saturday of the month.
10 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Nuui Cunni Native American Intertribal Cultural Center and Museum
2600 CA-155Sweet little hangout in French Gulch on Lake Isabella. A cool building with plenty of crafts and jewelry to buy. Indian tacos are available ($15), from 10 am-2 pm the second Saturday of the month.
As the southernmost whitewater adventure on the North American continent, the Kern River is world famous for its wild intensity and thrills; 2023 is proving to be an outstanding rafting year with record speeds and volume in the wild river after a very wet winter. This safety-oriented company is a short walk from our home and offers runs for all levels of experience, first-timer to expert. Expect to taste Level 2 and 3 level rapids even while passing through Kernville! Be assured that your safety comes first and not all runs are currently available, but will open as the summer progresses. Please access the website and/or speak to agents for more information.
23 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Kern River Outfitters
6602 Wofford BlvdAs the southernmost whitewater adventure on the North American continent, the Kern River is world famous for its wild intensity and thrills; 2023 is proving to be an outstanding rafting year with record speeds and volume in the wild river after a very wet winter. This safety-oriented company is a short walk from our home and offers runs for all levels of experience, first-timer to expert. Expect to taste Level 2 and 3 level rapids even while passing through Kernville! Be assured that your safety comes first and not all runs are currently available, but will open as the summer progresses. Please access the website and/or speak to agents for more information.
Θέρετρο Σκι Alta Sierra
56700 Rancheria RdAn intimate, easy-access winter destination for skiiers and boarders now open weekends (and govt. holidays), just a quick 15-minute drive up the road from here - no chains or 4WD needed! Slopes are open 9 am-4 pm.
Tubing runs not yet open, but should be soon!
30 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Θέρετρο Σκι Alta Sierra
56700 Rancheria RdAn intimate, easy-access winter destination for skiiers and boarders now open weekends (and govt. holidays), just a quick 15-minute drive up the road from here - no chains or 4WD needed! Slopes are open 9 am-4 pm.
Tubing runs not yet open, but should be soon!
Hot Springs
Miracle HS at the Hobo camprounds is not currently available.
Remington HS is smaller and down a steep slope.
These natural springs are free to everyone, right next to the mighty Kern River. The mineral waters relax and heal body and soul. First used by native people, then miners. Resurrected and maintained by local volunteers since the 90’s, both sites are popular for socializing and partying on weekends. To relax, go early (before 8 am)! FYI - Nudity does happen, but most folks are dressed.
20 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Miracle Hot Springs
These natural springs are free to everyone, right next to the mighty Kern River. The mineral waters relax and heal body and soul. First used by native people, then miners. Resurrected and maintained by local volunteers since the 90’s, both sites are popular for socializing and partying on weekends. To relax, go early (before 8 am)! FYI - Nudity does happen, but most folks are dressed.
California Hot Springs
City/town information
This charming small town (population 600) has a great sense of history and a variety of community events. The biggest deal all year is Whiskey Flat Days on Presidents Day Weekend each February (live music, parade, historical re-enactment camp, and lots of fun activities). The best restaurants (Ewings and the KR Brewery) are here, along with some fun antiques shops, boutiques, a coffee shop, groceries, and a CBD store. Check the local Kernville chamber of commerce for updates.
50 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Kernville
This charming small town (population 600) has a great sense of history and a variety of community events. The biggest deal all year is Whiskey Flat Days on Presidents Day Weekend each February (live music, parade, historical re-enactment camp, and lots of fun activities). The best restaurants (Ewings and the KR Brewery) are here, along with some fun antiques shops, boutiques, a coffee shop, groceries, and a CBD store. Check the local Kernville chamber of commerce for updates.
Sightseeing
Sign up for lessons in advance, or just stop in to talk golden trout and what else you can catch. Most locals recommend the River over Lake Isabella. The area near Johnstone Bridge is scenic, shady and highly recommended.
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Kern River Fly Fishing
11301 Kernville RdSign up for lessons in advance, or just stop in to talk golden trout and what else you can catch. Most locals recommend the River over Lake Isabella. The area near Johnstone Bridge is scenic, shady and highly recommended.
Hikes
About 6 miles up Evans road from La Casita is a forested mountain community known as Alta Sierra and the Greenhorn Ranger District. Unal Trail is an easy 3.2 mile loop, which is mostly shady and provides some pretty views. Great for a family hike. You'll see some numbered markers designed to share natural highlights from a Native American perspective. (We try to keep the corresponding brochures on hand; you may also be able to get one from the Ranger Station in Kernville.) You'll also see plenty of burned areas from the French Fire of 2021. Fortunately, there will be re-growth!
12 ντόπιοι το προτείνουν
Unal Trail
Forest Route 25S17About 6 miles up Evans road from La Casita is a forested mountain community known as Alta Sierra and the Greenhorn Ranger District. Unal Trail is an easy 3.2 mile loop, which is mostly shady and provides some pretty views. Great for a family hike. You'll see some numbered markers designed to share natural highlights from a Native American perspective. (We try to keep the corresponding brochures on hand; you may also be able to get one from the Ranger Station in Kernville.) You'll also see plenty of burned areas from the French Fire of 2021. Fortunately, there will be re-growth!