Guidebook for Weldon and Kern River Valley
Parks & Nature
One mile trail among 100 Giant Sequoia trees. Road to the area is open as of 1 May. About an hour's drive from Weldon along the Great Western Divide Highway. High in the mountains and cool in summer.
110 locals recommend
Trail of 100 Giants Trailhead
County Route 107One mile trail among 100 Giant Sequoia trees. Road to the area is open as of 1 May. About an hour's drive from Weldon along the Great Western Divide Highway. High in the mountains and cool in summer.
This river drains the entire southern Sierra Nevada. We are near the South Fork; this river and the Sierra Nevada define this area.
31 locals recommend
Kern River
This river drains the entire southern Sierra Nevada. We are near the South Fork; this river and the Sierra Nevada define this area.
If you don't have time for Death Valley, this nearby area gives you a good preview. Incredible geology and hiking. About an hour from Weldon.
26 locals recommend
Red Rock Canyon State Park
37749 Abbott DriveIf you don't have time for Death Valley, this nearby area gives you a good preview. Incredible geology and hiking. About an hour from Weldon.
Take a walk through the preserve and get acquainted with the large diversity of birds in this area. Home to the largest riparian area in CA. 4 bio-regions meet here. Ten minutes away. All year.
17 locals recommend
Kern River Preserve
18747 CA-178Take a walk through the preserve and get acquainted with the large diversity of birds in this area. Home to the largest riparian area in CA. 4 bio-regions meet here. Ten minutes away. All year.
Hike to the summit, up to Lone Pine Lake or one of the other trails that lead out of Whitney Portal.
25 locals recommend
Mount Whitney
Hike to the summit, up to Lone Pine Lake or one of the other trails that lead out of Whitney Portal.
Check in here for great exhibits, books, maps and advice and permits for hikes at Mt Whitney, the Eastern Sierras of Death Valley. At the southern end of Lone Pine.
10 locals recommend
Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center
Check in here for great exhibits, books, maps and advice and permits for hikes at Mt Whitney, the Eastern Sierras of Death Valley. At the southern end of Lone Pine.
About 3 hours from Weldon this area is best seen sometime other than summer. Much hiking and sight seeing.
Echo Canyon Road
Echo Canyon RoadAbout 3 hours from Weldon this area is best seen sometime other than summer. Much hiking and sight seeing.
Giant Sequoia Trees and summer hiking are the main attractions. Great visitor center. About 3 hours from Weldon.
11 locals recommend
Sequoia National Park
Giant Sequoia Trees and summer hiking are the main attractions. Great visitor center. About 3 hours from Weldon.
There is a very nice grove of Giant Sequoia trees here along with a hike. The George Bush 1 tree is here. About an hour drive N from Weldon, 19 miles N from Johnsondale. Closed for snow in winter.
Freeman Creek
There is a very nice grove of Giant Sequoia trees here along with a hike. The George Bush 1 tree is here. About an hour drive N from Weldon, 19 miles N from Johnsondale. Closed for snow in winter.
Hike and visit some of the oldest trees in the world and drive up to over 11,000' elevation. A bit over a three hour drive so you might want to combine this with your arrival or departure.
24 locals recommend
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
White Mountain RoadHike and visit some of the oldest trees in the world and drive up to over 11,000' elevation. A bit over a three hour drive so you might want to combine this with your arrival or departure.
In 1942, the US government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of these.
8 locals recommend
Manzanar
In 1942, the US government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of these.
This is along your route if you are doing a larger holiday which involves San Francisco or areas north of here. About a four hour drive to the south entrance.
995 locals recommend
Yosemite National Park
This is along your route if you are doing a larger holiday which involves San Francisco or areas north of here. About a four hour drive to the south entrance.
In the heart of Kern/Tulare County high country. Closed in winter. Lots of hiking and exploring here.
USFS - Blackrock Fire Station
In the heart of Kern/Tulare County high country. Closed in winter. Lots of hiking and exploring here.
If you are a hot springs kind of person then this is close by. Several guests have given it their praise.
23 locals recommend
Remington Hot Springs Trailhead
If you are a hot springs kind of person then this is close by. Several guests have given it their praise.
If you are a through hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail, we are close by for a break and a restock. If you need to be picked up and dropped off, ask us for a special price and see if we can help you.
8 locals recommend
Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest National Scenic TrailIf you are a through hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail, we are close by for a break and a restock. If you need to be picked up and dropped off, ask us for a special price and see if we can help you.
Entertainment & Activities
Western Movie Museum and gateway to Mt Whitney and also to Death Valley. Many movies have been filmed here. Day trip.
Lone Pine
Western Movie Museum and gateway to Mt Whitney and also to Death Valley. Many movies have been filmed here. Day trip.
Western feel; twenty minutes away; Kern River passes through here; restaurants, groceries and gas.
50 locals recommend
Kernville
Western feel; twenty minutes away; Kern River passes through here; restaurants, groceries and gas.
760-376-3781. 11380 Kernville Road in Kernville. These folks can give you information on road conditions if you want to travel and see the sequoia trees and also tell you about hiking trails.
US Forest Services Ranger Station
11380 Kernville Rd760-376-3781. 11380 Kernville Road in Kernville. These folks can give you information on road conditions if you want to travel and see the sequoia trees and also tell you about hiking trails.
Skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer; the amazing lift to the top is open year round and you can ride up and down without getting off. Mountain biking also. This is 210 miles away.
109 locals recommend
Mammoth Mountain
10400 Minaret RdSkiing in the winter, hiking in the summer; the amazing lift to the top is open year round and you can ride up and down without getting off. Mountain biking also. This is 210 miles away.
The best white water rafting on the Kern River is April through June. Years with more snow in the mountains is better. Close by.
9 locals recommend
Whitewater Voyages - Kern Outdoor Center
11316 Kernville RdThe best white water rafting on the Kern River is April through June. Years with more snow in the mountains is better. Close by.
Shirley Meadows
Occasional skiing in winter; always very scenic and wintry in winter.
Vons
Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella. Full grocery store with lots of choices, open until 11 pm.
Groceries and gas are just fifteen minutes away; Sierra Vista restaurant along the way. Grocery store generally closes at 7 PM. A good breakfast and lunch place, the Red Rooster is here.
South Lake
Groceries and gas are just fifteen minutes away; Sierra Vista restaurant along the way. Grocery store generally closes at 7 PM. A good breakfast and lunch place, the Red Rooster is here.
Grocery store prices here are the lowest in the Kern River Valley. However, selection is way less than Vons abut a mile away.
Grocery Outlet
6415 Lake Isabella BlvdGrocery store prices here are the lowest in the Kern River Valley. However, selection is way less than Vons abut a mile away.
Arts & Culture
Information about the Native Americans of this area and their cultural events.
Nuui Cunni - Hwy. 155 station
Information about the Native Americans of this area and their cultural events.
An old nearly dead ghost town about 20 to 30 minutes drive south and east from Red Rock Canyon. This is one of the high lights. About 70 minutes from us. Often closed for no rhyme or reason.
7 locals recommend
Randsburg General Store
35 Butte AveAn old nearly dead ghost town about 20 to 30 minutes drive south and east from Red Rock Canyon. This is one of the high lights. About 70 minutes from us. Often closed for no rhyme or reason.
Sightseeing
An old ghost town near the western entrance to Death Valley, it is truly one of the odd spots of the old west that is left to see. About 90 minutes away. Residents often give the cold shoulder to guests so only the bold should venture forth.
Darwin
An old ghost town near the western entrance to Death Valley, it is truly one of the odd spots of the old west that is left to see. About 90 minutes away. Residents often give the cold shoulder to guests so only the bold should venture forth.
Essentials
This is the sister store to the one in South Lake except it is in Kernville. Same early closing hours. The name changes over the years and is currently called Sierra Vista. Best nearby groceries.
30 locals recommend
Sierra Gateway Market
13432 Sierra WayThis is the sister store to the one in South Lake except it is in Kernville. Same early closing hours. The name changes over the years and is currently called Sierra Vista. Best nearby groceries.
Official closing at 8 pm but often is closed at 7 pm. Small but a good selection. Also known as Sierra Gateway Market.
James Sierra Gateway Markets
14606 CA-178Official closing at 8 pm but often is closed at 7 pm. Small but a good selection. Also known as Sierra Gateway Market.
Included inside is a deli, a Starbucks, a bakery and a Wells Fargo bank. Good selection. Often crowded. Be sure to lock your car as this is the only place around with vagrants hanging out.
26 locals recommend
Vons
5610 Lake Isabella BlvdIncluded inside is a deli, a Starbucks, a bakery and a Wells Fargo bank. Good selection. Often crowded. Be sure to lock your car as this is the only place around with vagrants hanging out.
Dining
Variety of foods, most burgers and fries type of place with many, many beers. In Kernville.
If you go up river for the day or are on your way back, McNally's burgers can be a pretty good place to stop about 20 minutes before you get back to Kernville. Burger stand only during the day but restaurant in the evening. Food in the restaurant is uneven but often good. Closes fall through spring. Recently, another small McNally's burger place in Kernville.
21 locals recommend
McNally's Burger Stand
1941 Kern River HwyIf you go up river for the day or are on your way back, McNally's burgers can be a pretty good place to stop about 20 minutes before you get back to Kernville. Burger stand only during the day but restaurant in the evening. Food in the restaurant is uneven but often good. Closes fall through spring. Recently, another small McNally's burger place in Kernville.
Best Mexican food in Kernville for my money. And, they have a liquor license as well as a beer and wine license. Along River Drive right across from the river. And they have Wi-Fi.
21 locals recommend
El Rio Mexican & American Food
13423 Kern River DrBest Mexican food in Kernville for my money. And, they have a liquor license as well as a beer and wine license. Along River Drive right across from the river. And they have Wi-Fi.
Best Mexican food in Bodfish, just east of Lake Isabella. Open lunch and dinner but call first just in case. Beer and wine only.
8 locals recommend
Don Sombrero Mexican Restaurant
4107 Lake Isabella BlvdBest Mexican food in Bodfish, just east of Lake Isabella. Open lunch and dinner but call first just in case. Beer and wine only.
Steak house with a great view of the lake. Open most evenings but not Mondays. Call first. Full liquor license.
Paradise Cove Lodge
10700 CA-178Steak house with a great view of the lake. Open most evenings but not Mondays. Call first. Full liquor license.
Breakfast and lunch only. Don't let the very plain exterior fool you, this place has good food at a moderate price.
10 locals recommend
Red Rooster Cafe
12408 Mountain Mesa RdBreakfast and lunch only. Don't let the very plain exterior fool you, this place has good food at a moderate price.
Open for lunch through and including dinner. Authentic Mexican food on the south side of the lake. Lunch and dinner. Wine and beer only. Prices are reasonable.
6 locals recommend
El Portal Mexican Grill
12598 Mountain Mesa RdOpen for lunch through and including dinner. Authentic Mexican food on the south side of the lake. Lunch and dinner. Wine and beer only. Prices are reasonable.
Dining, drinks and great views. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wide variety of food; open long hours. Great views. Service varies widely. Often overrun with unruly children which the establishment seemingly encourages.
71 locals recommend
Ewings on the Kern
125 Buena Vista DrDining, drinks and great views. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wide variety of food; open long hours. Great views. Service varies widely. Often overrun with unruly children which the establishment seemingly encourages.
Yes, it's a restaurant but best known for its micro brews. Great burgers, the rest can be uneven. Loud except for lunch. Recently added an annex they are so popular. On the cowboy side. Lunch and dinner. Consistent food and service and beer.
86 locals recommend
Kern River Brewing Co
13415 Sierra WayYes, it's a restaurant but best known for its micro brews. Great burgers, the rest can be uneven. Loud except for lunch. Recently added an annex they are so popular. On the cowboy side. Lunch and dinner. Consistent food and service and beer.
Classic 50s; a fixture in this area. Great for breakfast and lunch. In Lake Isabella east of Vons.
16 locals recommend
Nelda's Diner
5128 Lake Isabella BlvdClassic 50s; a fixture in this area. Great for breakfast and lunch. In Lake Isabella east of Vons.
Cheryl's has been around forever and you will often find several of the family in the place if you visit. Classic American diner.
31 locals recommend
Cheryl's Diner
11030 Kernville RdCheryl's has been around forever and you will often find several of the family in the place if you visit. Classic American diner.
A full service restaurant specializing in Italian food of all types; good wine and drinks to choose from. Prices are reasonable for what you get. Large menu to choose from. Generally not a noisy place even when it is close to full which I like. Service is spotty as is the food.
29 locals recommend
That's Italian
9 Big Blue RdA full service restaurant specializing in Italian food of all types; good wine and drinks to choose from. Prices are reasonable for what you get. Large menu to choose from. Generally not a noisy place even when it is close to full which I like. Service is spotty as is the food.
The only good place to eat in Lake Isabella. Relatively new but the owners are not new to running a restaurant.
10 locals recommend
178 Bar & Grill
6107 Lake Isabella BoulevardThe only good place to eat in Lake Isabella. Relatively new but the owners are not new to running a restaurant.
A close by restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, weather permitting. Closed Monday and Tuesday and often closed as it hosts private parties. Beer and drinks recommended over their wines which don't seem to be stored properly. Call or check website to see if they are open.
Sierra Vista Restaurant
16575 California 178A close by restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, weather permitting. Closed Monday and Tuesday and often closed as it hosts private parties. Beer and drinks recommended over their wines which don't seem to be stored properly. Call or check website to see if they are open.