Located 2 hours north of Los Angeles, is beautiful Kern County California. From the Sierras the county extends across the floor of the San Joaquin Valley to the eastern edge of the Temblor Range, part of the Coastal Ranges. To the south the county extends over the ridge of the Tehachapi Mountains. The Kern River area is a whitewater wonderland. The river and its tributaries offer some of the most varied, challenging and aesthetic whitewater boating in the world! The Kern Valley Golf Course is located 2 miles west of Kernville on Highway 155. This PGA rated, Par 72 course has everything you need to enjoy the grand sport 7 days a week. The Kern River has great fishing for Rainbow trout. The 20 mile section of river from Lake Isabella to the Johnsondale Bridge is open YEAR AROUND for fishing. The river is accessible from the road with numerous pullouts where you can just get out of your car and fish.
As of the 2000 census, its population is 661,645, but recent California Department of Finance estimates place the county population at 779,869. The county seat is Bakersfield.
The county has a large agricultural base and is a significant producer of oil, natural gas, hydro-electric power, wind-turbine power, and geothermal power. As of 2004, Kern remains California's top oil-producing county, with over 85% of the state's 43,000 oil wells. The county accounts for one-tenth of overall U.S. oil production, and three of the five largest U.S. oil fields are in Kern County. Kern is also noted for its mineral wealth, including gold, borite, and kernite.
Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, and Mojave Spaceport are located in Kern County.
