Haggin Oaks - Bakersfield, CA

The city of Bakersfield was named after Thomas Baker, a former militia man who moved to California during the Gold Rush in the 1800s. The city has had a rocky history with flooding and earthquakes. The Haggin Oaks area is close to the California State University of Bakersfield campus. Therefore, the community is home many students who rent residences there. Although it’s near the campus, it’s far enough away to be considered a quiet and family-friendly place to live with lower crime rates than other parts of California. It is also home to two lovely parks and the convenient Marketplace Shopping Center.

Haggin Oaks does not disappoint when it comes to satisfying the famously global palates of California residents. Nearly every type of popular world cuisine is well-represented within a 10-mile radius, as well as American-style favorites.

The Nature's Food Market and Juice Bar is the local spot for health-food advocates to congregate, with menus ranging from traditional wheat grass shots to unique ingredients such as vegan salami. They're highly rated, but hungry visitors should be aware that they aren't open on weekends.

For more restaurant-style fare, Cope's Knotty Pine Cafe holds court among locals because of its large breakfast plates of classics such as corned beef and eggs and cheese omelettes. Their customizable burgers are worth a nibble around lunchtime as well, with side items such as cheese-stuffed jalapeños available to diners that aren't in the mood for fries.

Spice reigns supreme at Zaika Indian Cuisine, with tandoori chicken and naan sharing menu space with Indo-Asian dishes for the less adventurous. Locals swear by the champagne all-you-can-eat brunch on weekends, which includes either a glass of champagne or more familiar Indian beverage fare such as a chilled mango lassi.

There aren't many nightlife options within Haggin Oaks, but the city of Bakersfield has plenty to offer. Craft beer lovers should try a pint from Lengthwise Brewing Company. For margaritas and classic Mexican-American fare, head to Muertos Kitchen & Lounge downtown.

Getting around Haggin Oaks and the Bakersfield area can be done on foot by the adventurous, but most residents rely on either cars or public transportation to get around. The Golden Empire Transit Authority is the most reliable public transportation for getting around on a schedule, with plenty of stops scattered along Gosford Road and Ming Avenue around the borders of Haggin Oaks. If a car isn’t an option and more immediate transportation solutions are needed, locals rely on Downtown Cab or Silver Cab to take them where they need to be.

If you’d rather bike to the numerous coffee shops, stores and places of interest within a one-mile radius of Haggin Oaks’ center, look no further than the two-wheeled masterpieces at Finish Line Bikes. Locals swear by the store for fixing bikes, grabbing replacement tires or tubes or shopping for the perfect new bike to replace an old one. There are natural biking trails available year-round near Haggin Oaks, and the city itself is considered to be bike friendly, much like other California towns.

Hit the refreshing lawns in Haggin Oaks Park, or take a dip in their splash park when the temperature rises. Tennis courts give visitors a chance to hone their backswing, and a playground allows kids to get a great high vantage point to check out the park’s famous “watch geese” from afar. Picnic tables are also available for those who like to chow down on sandwiches while checking out the local bird life.

If you want to head further out and get some hiking in, the Wild Wolves Preserve's loop trail has a little something for hikers of all skill levels. Year-round accessibility draws hikers, mountain bikers and running enthusiasts to trails lines among local flowers and greenery.

If you’re in the mood for a little culture, the Kern Museum and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History offer family-friendly enrichment for the mind and spirit. If you’re looking for something a little different, Camelot Park is an unusual theme-park-style attraction only a half an hour outside of the city, filled with rides, shows and lots to do for the youngest members of the family.

Haggin Oaks shares a fairly similar cost of living with nearby Bakersfield, with prices only slightly different, usually in favor of Haggin Oaks. Gasoline in the city runs a touch above the national average, between five and seven percent higher. A potential new resident can expect to pay between $790 and $1100 for a one-bedroom.

The Marketplace in Bakersfield offers everything Haggin Oaks residents could need, and just across Ming Avenue from the neighborhood, it couldn't be more convenient. A Regal Movie Theater and Von’s Grocery Store act as anchor brands for a lineup of more than 50 other stores and boutiques. Elegant names such as Talbots and White House Black Market rub shoulders with Jamba Juice and Ulta Beauty. Essentials Spa provides relaxing massages and facials, while Tahoe Joe’s Famous Steakhouse serves up well-seasoned steaks for shoppers that have worked up an appetite.

If a more traditional-style mall is more up your alley, the Valley Plaza Mall in Bakersfield has you covered. Located on Ming Road between Haggin Oaks and Bakersfield’s center, this single-story mall is anchored by Target, Sears, JC Penney, and Macy’s. Features such as a full food court, high-end retailers, such as Sephora, and a convenient public-transit-accessible setting make this mall an excellent place to spend the day browsing and buying.

Haggin Oaks doesn’t just have great restaurants, they also offer aspiring chefs a place to get local ingredients at the nearby Bakersfield Farmer's Market. Usually held on Sundays, this popular venue gives shoppers the chance to pick up farm-fresh eggs, produce, and much more.