Kern County is located in Central California, at the bottom end of the great Central Valley.  Kern County is larger than the land mass of the State of Massachusetts, 8,163 square miles.  The county seat is Bakersfield, a city of approximately 500,000, located on State Highway 99, two hours north of Los Angeles and four hours south of Sacramento.  Our economy is based on oil and agriculture, with grapes and pistachios two of the largest crops. 

Bakersfield is known as Nashville West, and has a particular "sound" developed by country western music artists such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard.  We also have a wonderful orchestra, a state university, a thriving art center and more.  The east side of Kern County is home to aerospace pioneers such as SpaceOne.  The hills semi-circling the valley provide food and space for cattle ranching.  If you have eaten "baby carrots" or small manderines called "Cuties" or Halos", you have touched a product developed and produced in Kern County.  Check the label!

In general, we are two hours from the Pacific, the Sequoias and Los Angeles.  A city known for its generosity and welcoming nature.  We look forward to hosting new friends from around the world.