Bakersfield is an affordable, mid‑sized Central Valley city with a surprisingly lively local culture — think craft breweries, Basque dining, a growing arts scene and live music (Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace) — so multiweek stays feel active, convenient and comfortable rather than isolating.
For outdoor weekends, the Kern River, Lake Isabella and nearby Tehachapi (all within about an hour) give easy access to hiking, rafting, fishing and mountain trails, letting you balance city amenities with quick nature escapes.