Axel's take on Downtown Bakersfield: #1 of 7 in Bakersfield, 5.8/10
The best first-visit base for restaurants, theaters and evenings on foot. Downtown leads for character and access to sights, but its hotel value is weak and walkable activity clusters around particular blocks.
Stay downtown if you want Bakersfield to feel like a destination rather than an overnight exit. Around 19th Street, H Street and Chester Avenue, you can combine independent restaurants, antique shops and the historic Fox Theater without repeatedly getting into a car. The arena and convention complex add another reason to stay central.
This is the strongest choice for a first visit, especially if dinner and a show are your priorities. It is not uniformly lively: activity gathers around particular restaurants and venues, rather than filling every block. Choose another base if suburban quiet matters more than character, and arrange transportation for attractions outside downtown.
- Best for: first-time visitors, museums and culture, food lovers, nightlife
- Skip it if: You want suburban quiet; Your plans revolve around the western suburbs
- Getting around: Walk the restaurant and theater blocks; GET 21 serves Truxtun Avenue and the rail station, with additional routes at Downtown Transit Center; use a taxi, rideshare or rental car from BFL.
- After dark: Expect restaurant, bar and show crowds around the entertainment blocks, not continuous activity across downtown.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $189 a night
Where to stay in Bakersfield: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Downtown Bakersfield
- 19th Street and H Street. Start here for galleries, theater nights and dinner on foot; evening activity gathers around individual venues. Hotels here: The Padre Hotel.
- Truxtun Avenue at the convention center. Best for event-led stays: the arena and convention complex anchor this stretch rather than a continuous restaurant scene. Hotels here: Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, Best Western Plus Hill House.
- Central Park at Mill Creek. Look toward the park for daytime canal walks and museum visits, rather than downtown's bar-focused blocks. Hotels here: Best Western Plus Hill House.
How to choose
- Choose The Padre Hotel if you want distinctive rooms, helpful staff and on-site nightlife, and can tolerate lounge music.
- Choose Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center if your trip revolves around the convention center or arena and you want full-service facilities.
- Choose Best Western Plus Hill House if you want a cheaper downtown base with spacious rooms, free parking and a short walk to trains.
What paying more buys
Best Western Plus Hill House is cheaper than most here and already gives you spacious rooms and free parking. Paying more for the Marriott adds full-service facilities beside the convention center; The Padre buys distinctive styling and on-site nightlife. Neither upgrade is essential for a brief train or arena stop, especially if you dislike extra parking and breakfast charges. Typical rates with Axel here run from $118 a night at Best Western Plus Hill House to $199 at The Padre Hotel (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Downtown Bakersfield, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- The Padre Hotel 8.8/10, historic downtown boutique hotel with restaurants and a lively bar scene. Downtown character and genuinely helpful staff, with nightlife as the main trade-off. Why it's here: downtown character, helpful staff and on-site dining for theater nights and couples. Accept: lounge music reaches rooms; entry rooms are compact. $174 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center 8.3/10, full-service 3-star downtown convention hotel. A strong event-night choice, with clean rooms and helpful staff outweighing dated touches. Why it's here: full-service convenience beside the convention center for arena nights and business trips. Accept: paid parking, extra breakfast and some dated furnishings. $183 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
- Best Western Plus Hill House 8.0/10, practical, older 2-star hotel in downtown Bakersfield. A solid downtown stopover with friendly staff, comfortable beds and some dated corners. Why it's here: cheaper downtown rooms with generous space, free parking and convenient train access. Accept: dated bathrooms, no elevator and breakfast charged separately. $114 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
