2022 Map of Oil Center

About this map

The Kern River valley defines this landscape northeast of Bakersfield, where steep gulches and canyons descend from the northern heights into the urbanizing plains. This industrial and residential corridor is marked by the legacy of the oil industry, with settlements like Oil City, Goodmanville, and Maltha situated along the slopes. The terrain is deeply incised by West Shore Gulch and Sacramento Gulch, while recreational and institutional hubs provide a contrast to the industrial zones. Hart Park and its Hart Park Lake sit along the riverbanks, overlooked by the Uplands of the Kern Dr. To the south, the city's growth is visible in neighborhoods like East Bakersfield, La Cresta, and Hillcrest, anchored by landmarks such as Bakersfield College Panorama Campus and the Bakersfield Country Club.