California's third-largest county - larger than Massachusetts, New Jersey or Hawaii - Kern County is a rich and accessible destination for travelers of the California Countryside.

Anchoring the southern end of California's great Central Valley, contemporary Kern offers an exceptional visitor experience, excellent outdoor recreation, and a central location just hours from Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Sierra Nevada and the Pacific Coast, Yosemite, Death Valley and Las Vegas.

Kern's riches are readily apparent in its wealth of recreational and tourism opportunities. The county is blessed with a diverse topography that ranges from high desert to snow-capped mountains. The wild and scenic Kern River is renowned for water sports, and the Kern River Valley is the gateway to the Giant Sequoia National Monument and home to some of the best fishing and camping in California.

This is an outdoor lover's paradise. Hundreds of campsites border the river and popular Isabella Lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, windsurfing and boating. From here it's only a short hop to the spectacular grove of Sequoias at the Trail of 100 Giants and the Giant Sequoia National Monument, the nation's newest dedicated wilderness area.

Lovers of water sports flock to the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area near Taft and Lake Ming near Bakersfield. Sailboats and windsurfers are welcome at Lake Woollomes near Delano. Fishing is open year round in Kern County. Isabella Lake and streams north of the lake leading to the Kern River are regularly stocked each spring. Many varieties of fish are found, with the emphasis on trout. There's also fine fishing in the streams of the Los Padres National Forest in southwestern Kern.

Kern County is for thrill seekers - with adrenaline-spiking activities available on the ground, in the water or high in the air. Rafting and kayaking on the mighty Kern River is world-renowned. Its 50 miles of rapids are so challenging that Sports Afield magazine named it the number-one paddling destination in the country in 2000. Winter brings snow to the higher elevations. Visitors and local alike enjoy downhill skiing in the Sierras and cross-country skiing in the Los Padres National Forest near Frazier Park. Mountain biking is big throughout the county, particularly in the Kern River Valley and in the Los Padres National Forest. Many routes for rock climbing are present in the Kern River Valley. Qualified guides are available to lead the experienced climber or instruct the beginner.

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