Weekend Getaway: Central California

August 12, 2025

Weekend Getaway: Central California

We've met my brother and sister-in-law on many of their adventures. Usually we try to join them for a long weekend and last year was no exception. We flew into LAX, arrived at a hotel near Bakersfield around 1 am and continued on to meet them in Springville, California the next morning. We met for brunch at the Cowpunchers Cafe and Tavern and went over the plans for the weekend. We would be driving through Sequoia National Forest and then end up in Kernville where we would spend the night. Then the next morning would be white water rafting on the Kern River - for some - or a walk around Kernville for others. So here we go - let's tour around Central California!

Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest includes over 300,000 acres of wilderness, more than 1,100 miles of hiking trails, and 52 campgrounds - and it was quite busy in June when we were there. We spent most of the day on Friday driving through it and checking out the below places:

Natural Water Slide

This natural water slide is free to visit and if the water is too high to slide - as it was when we were there - then you can at least swim in the pool at the bottom. (the parking lot is small and you may have to wait for a spot)

Alonzo Stagg Tree

The Stagg Tree is the 5th largest giant sequoia in the world and it's the tallest giant outside of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. According to measurements from the early 2000's, the tree is 244 feet tall and 82 feet around.

We managed to find it - it is actually located on private land that the owners allow access to - and walked a mile down into the grove it stands in. (The owners of the land have recently sold it to the Save the Redwoods league) There was a large family there visiting, maybe a family reunion, so we waited our turn to walk inside and around the tree and then take photos. It's quite something to be up close with such a mammoth tree.

If you see these mailboxes, then you're in the right spot

Trail of 100 Giants

This was one of my favorite spots of the weekend. Considered one of the best examples of Giant Sequoias in Sequoia National Forest (outside of the National Park), this grove is out in the middle of nowhere so it's a beautiful and peaceful spot. It's an easy, accessible walk with some of the trees estimated to be 1,500 years old. The paved trail is about 1.5 miles long and you can do it as a loop. We were here at the end of the afternoon so the sunlight filtering through the trees was just perfect. It was time for dinner, though, so we headed out for a popular spot to eat.

McNally's

The full title of this restaurant is Johnny McNally's Fairview Lodge Steakhouse and it's open Thursday through Monday. Located on the Kern River - we sat on the screen porch with a view - 15 miles north of Kernville in the Sequoia National Forest. (There is also lodging available here and it is open year round)

Started by the colorful Johnny McNally in the 1940's, McNally's is known for its fine steak dinners. The prices are as one would expect for a "fine steak dinner" but they also offer shared entrees, which is what we did. The food was good, the view was great, and we - or at least I - enjoyed our meal overlooking the river. If you happen to be out in the middle of the Sequoia National Forest or find yourself in Kernville, I'd suggest a visit here. Come hungry and bring a few bills in your wallet - I think you'll like it

The view of the river from the patio

A pedestrian bridge over the river that you can access from the restaurant

Kern River White Water Rafting

The Kern River is a "world class playground" for rafting and it's one of the main reasons that people come to Kernville. Mr UR, his brother and wife all were up for a trip rafting and signed up with Sierra South for a several hour adventure. ( I was the only adult with 3 kids on a rafting "float" trip - that I thought was guided - several years ago and popped out of the raft on the first set of rapids. Watching 3 kids - aged 5, 8 and 10 - float down the river without an adult was something I'll never forget. Obviously not just a float trip, the kids had to pull me back in the raft and thank goodness they did. But I don't feel the need for any more trauma after that. No thanks.)

Photo: echapman & mchapman

Though I didn't go on the trip on the Kern, I think from all accounts that the others in my party enjoyed the experience. All photos are from my brother and sister-in-law that they took during the experience.

Photo: echapman & mchapman

After their rafting trip, we met at the Kern River Brewing Company for a beverage and lunch. And their guide joined us for some good food, good beer and good company. It's always interesting to hear people's life stories and how they ended up where they are and doing what they're doing - at least, I think so.

Photo: echapman & mchapman

Kernville Museum

While the others of my party were out whitewater rafting, I took in Kernville. Kernville is 40 miles northeast of Bakersfield and 165 miles north of LA in the southern Sierra Nevadas. It has a large tourist industry centered on the above white water rapids of the Kern River along with other outdoor activities of Sequoia National Forest.

Kernville itself still retains it gold rush and Old West roots. It's small - 1,400 residents - but there are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit along with an award winning brewery. I sauntered around the town square grabbing a coffee and searching through a few stores.

I spent most of my time at the free entry Kern Valley Museum. Filled with Native American art, pioneer photos, mining equipment, and a stagecoach, my favorite part of the museum, however, was the focus on movies that had been filmed in the area. Many famous western movies - Destry Rides Again, Stagecoach and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre -were produced in the 30's through the 50's which featured John Wayne, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. (More recently the 2018 film Vice was made here) It was fun to wander around this western town for an afternoon and I'm glad I got the opportunity to see this area of California.

Where We Stayed: Piazza's Pine Cone Lodge

This mom and pop motel has been run by the same family since the 1950's. It has retro charm plus a pool and restaurant. Our room was huge with knotty pine walls, retro tile and an actual room key but there is only a window air conditioner - if that's a problem for you then stay elsewhere. If you like quirky - there is a family of skunks who live on the property - and retro then this is the place for you to stay.