A Postcard from Kern River Valley, California
Whew - what a ride. Lucky we have so many years of white water rafting to prepare us for the rush of this whitewater haven. We left our city friends canoeing serenely on Isabella Lake while we took our chances on the river, and it took our breath away. Good thing it's "For Experts Only".  We've found our spot. Come visit this spring.

  

About Kern River Valley
If you love pristine nature, outdoor life and recreation, this is the place for your second home. Located at the southern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Kern River Valley offers an unmatched mix of plant and animal diversity anywhere, combining desert and mountain species with wild abandon. The sight of thousands of sandhill cranes and ibis's roosting at night in ponds is only one of the amazing natural wonders of the Kern River valley. Home to 8 species of herons and egrets, the area hosts over 300 species of migrating birds in the spring, over 2000 varieties of plants including exquisite wildflowers, and butterflies and mammals galore. The largest remaining riparian rainforest in California is included in the valley area, which combines grassland, desert and high sierra biodiversity.

Located itself at 2600 feet, the Valley is surrounded by 6000-8000 ft peaks of the Sierra Nevadas.  There are natural hot springs, vast amount of wilderness preserves, and an amazing list of outdoor activities. Amidst all this natural glory, Kern River Valley has been rated as the number one outdoor recreation area. The river itself, 151 miles long, is officially classified by the government as wild on 123 of its miles, as the South Fork roars through crevices in the mountains, while the upper 47 miles of the North Fork are perfect for fishing.

Local History
Originally settled by Native Americans, the US Government discovered the valley in 1845 on one of the western expeditions by John C. Freemont. Most of the small towns were named by their settlers. Lake Isabella was created by damming the river in 1953 for hydroelectricity and flood control. Over many years, the Nature Conservancy had been very active in acquiring and protecting the native land, buying it from ranchers who decided to discontinue ranching. The combination of private efforts and government efforts (designating the area part of the National Wild and Scenic River System in 1987) has created a unique and beautiful natural preserve. The area contains some of the oldest cattle ranches in the county.

An Average Lifestyle
People buy second homes here to enjoy a serene lifestyle - especially those that retire here from Los Angeles. Many are committed to ecology and enjoying the wonders of nature in a way that protects its inhabitants, including humans. People are self-sufficient, with the nearest big city over an hour away. No shopping malls, no cell phones, not even boutique shops are here. Nothing can compete with the majesty that the mountains and river offer, and for the folks who live and vacation here, that's just the point. 

Things to Do
• Visit Audubon's 1167-acre sanctuary at Kern River Preserve
• Enjoy bird migration festivals: hummingbirds in July/August, turkey vultures in September
• Learn to Kayak or go white water rafting on Kern River
• Go mountain biking or cruise your bike near the river
• Enjoy the river boating, fishing, sailing, wild trout fishing, wind-surfing 
• Ski to your hearts delight: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing
• Camp in the forests 
• Go snowboarding or snowshoeing in the winter
• How about rock climbing or spelunking?
• Not tired yet? Try golfing, hiking, horseback riding then soak in hot springs
• Stop in at the Kern River Fish Hatchery

Near-By Excursions
• Visit the Giant Sequoias National Monument (one hour away)
• Visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• Visit the Sequoia, Sierra and Inyo National Forests surrounding the parks

Location
Kern River Valley designates an area in Kern County, California. The town of Kernville is at the northern end, on the North Fork of Kern River; the Kern River Preserve is at the eastern point. A reservoir is in the center of the valley.
Elevation: 2700 feet
Size: 804 sq miles

Distance to other major cities
(by car)
Bakersfield 1¼ - 1 ½ hrs. (50 miles west)
Las Vegas 6 hrs.
Los Angeles 3 hours
Reno 7 hrs.
Sacramento 5 ½ - 6 ½ hrs.
San Bernardino 3 - 4 hrs.
San Diego 5 - 5 ½ hrs.
San Francisco 5 ½ - 6 ½ hrs.

Getting There
Air to: Bakersfield or Los Angeles then to Kernville by car
Bus: Greyhound service to Bakersfield, then Kern Regional Transit (KRT:800,560,1733)
Train: Amtrak service to Bakersfield, then bus, taxi, to connect with KRT

Weather
Average Temperature and Rainfall
                Hi   Lo   Wet

January	59	32	2.88
February	63	34	2.74
March	66	37	2.35
April	72	42	.61
May	80	49	.31
June	90	56	.13
July	97	62	.13
August	96	61	.19
September	90	56	.40
October	80	46	.49
November	67	35	1.26
December	60	30	1.75

            












Education
A campus of Cerro Coso Community College is in the town of Lake Isabella.

Population
Mostly birds, butterflies and mammals. Sometimes the number of people is dwarfed by the number of birds. The total population in the valley is about 22,000, with an addition 25,000 visitors during summer holiday weekends.  Sample town populations:
Roads End 1500
Kernville 2800
Wofford Heights 3500
Lake Isabella 8600