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DIRECTIONS: The entrance to Audubon-California's Kern River Preserve
is located alongside the scenic South Fork of the Kern River. It is fifty-seven miles
northeast of Bakersfield, Kern County, California.
From Bakersfield - Take Hwy. 178 fifty-seven miles northeast through the Kern
River canyon and past Lake Isabella - continue through the communities of Mtn. Mesa and
South Lake. Slow down at the T-intersection of Hwy 178 and Sierra Way as the preserve is
1.1 miles beyond this point. On the left is a large sign for Audubon California's Kern
River Preserve. You are almost here. Turn left and drive down the dirt road - slowly as
cattle are frequently in the field. The field is not our property - the road is an
easement to the preserve - so please respect the landowner and do not stop or park until
you reach the parking area inside the preserve.
From the Mojave Desert - The preserve is located approximately 30 miles from
Hwy 14. From Hwy. 14 take Hwy. 178 west through Walker Pass - Canebrake - Onyx and almost
through Weldon. The preserve is 0.6 miles beyond the South Fork Elementary School and only
100 yards past Kelso Valley Road at Hwy. 178 milepost 57.00 (white paddle sign on side of
road). On the right is a large sign for Audubon California's Kern River Preserve, you are
almost here. Turn right and drive down the dirt road - slowly as cattle are frequently in
the field. The field is not our property - the road is an easement to the preserve - so
please respect the landowner and do not stop or park until you reach the parking area
inside the preserve.
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Maps
to Bring:
To help experience the rich diversity this area offers you may want to bring other maps
such as Kern, Tulare, and Inyo County road maps, Sequoia NF maps, and other appropriate
maps (topos, etc., for those who would be so inclined).
Driving
Times:
-
Ridgecrest - 1 hour
-
Bakersfield - 1.25 hours
-
Death Valley National Monument,
Fresno, Los Angeles, Morro Bay, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sequoia National
Park, Ventura - 3-3.5 hours
-
Orange County, Santa Barbara - 4
hours
-
Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San
Diego, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose - 6 hours
-
Reno - 7.5 hours
-
Phoenix - 9 hours
Airports:
-
Bakersfield/Kern County (1 ½ hrs.
to Kernville by car)
-
Burbank/Ontario (3+ hrs.)
-
Inyokern (1 ¼ hrs.)
-
LAX (3 – 4 hrs.)
-
Fresno (3 - 4 hrs.)
-
San Diego ( 5½ - 6 hours)
-
Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose,
San Francisco (6 - 6½ hours).
Rental
Car: All of the airports listed above are served by three or more major rental car
companies.
Bus:
Take Greyhound service to Bakersfield, then take Kern Regional Transit (KRT) bus to
Kernville.
For
KRT schedule information call 800–560–1733.
Train:
Take Amtrak service to Bakersfield, then GET bus, or taxi, to GET terminal to connect with
KRT.
Detailed information on visiting the Kern River Preserve contact:
Audubon
Kern River Preserve - Phone:
1-760-378-2531
E-mail
Nearest Audubon California Chapters:
Kerncrest Audubon Society,
Ridgecrest, Kern County - 50 miles.
Kern
Audubon Society, Bakersfield, Kern County -
57 miles.
Visitor Services:
Natural History Information for Kern County and the Kern
River Watershed - Website - http://www.natureali.org
Visitor Information for Kern Valley - Websites -
http://www.kernrivervalley.com/ and
Kernville Chamber of Commerce
Accommodations in the Kern River Valley -
http://www.natureali.org/accommodations.htm
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