California City in the Mojave Desert and Taft in the Southern San Joaquin Valley are two of the prime skydiving locations found in the country. Glider pilots regularly flock to California City and Tehachapi for a chance to ride the thermals rising from the high desert. The clear, dry weather makes Kern a great place to soar with more than 350 suitable flying days each year.

Camp Woodward West at Tehachapi brings that same excitement to the younger set. The premiere extreme sports camp in the western U.S. offers inline skating, gymnastics, skateboarding and BMX freestyle instruction for thrill seekers age 7 to 17.

The Frazier Park area also offers camping, hiking and off-roading opportunities. This is prime birding territory where California Condors can occasionally be seen, and hawks and golden eagles are regular visitors. Tehachapi Mountain Park boasts elevations from 4,000-7,000 feet and is ideal for summer escapes.

Railroad buffs may be familiar with the Tehachapi Loop. In the 1870s, the Southern Pacific Railroad linked rails between Central and Southern California through the rugged Tehachapi Mountains. The result was a unique loop that allows long freight trains to overlap themselves - a technological miracle in its time. As many as 40 freight trains a day execute the loop, making it the busiest single-track line in the United States. While in Tehachapi, enjoy a drive through the massive turbines of the spectacular wind farms or stop to see a massive bird with a tour at the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch.

The inspirational Red Rock Canyon State Park and the living ghost town of Randsburg are just part of Kern's desert landscape. Visitors can also explore the tufa spires of the Trona Pinnacles or the volcanic splendor of Fossil Falls.

More than 160 different varieties of plants call the Kern County desert home. Birds and reptiles thrive here with the desert tortoise, San Joaquin kit fox and Mojave ground squirrel among the species found. Birds of prey, including the red-tailed hawk, have their breeding grounds here.

Kern County's government lands are not only spectacular, they sustain abundant wildlife. Those not fortunate enough to catch a glimpse in the wild can visit one of several facilities that house and protect native species. The California Living Museum at Bakersfield, Exotic Feline Breeding Compound at Rosamond, and Tule Elk State Reserve near Tupman are open to public viewing. Those whose interests cater toward flying wildlife can visit the Kern National Wildlife Refuge near Delano or Audubon's Kern River Preserve near Weldon.

Speaking of birdies, Kern County is California's golfing secret, featuring a wide variety of beautiful and challenging courses guaranteed to satisfy golfers from beginner to scratch. The climate is ideal for golf - sunny and warm. Mountain courses provide a refreshing respite from the summer heat, while the low humidity in Kern County's valley and desert regions make summer golf there equally comfortable.

Back in town, Bakersfield's antiquing district beckons the savvy shopper. On famous "H" Street, turn-of-the century bungalows have been turned into boutiques with many one-of-a-kind antiques, all within a leisurely walking distance.

Heritage is a cherished resource in Kern County, as witnessed by its incredible number of museums. The flagship is the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, which features the Lori Brock Children's Museum, a $4 million interactive petroleum technology exhibit (opened in 2003), and the crowd-pleasing Pioneer Village with 70-plus restored historic buildings. Several museums focus more on the modern, especially the history of flight.

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