Panorama Vista Preserve

If it weren't for Yelp & geocaching I may never know about gems like these. The Panorama Vista Preserve runs North of the Kern River East of Manor Drive. Originally oil land, the Preserve is now a non-profit functioning to preserve and return the land to its original "pre-oil" state. It's most beautiful in spring when the grass is green, river and tributaries full, and wildlife abundant. There's a nice, well-used horse trail here as well. There are various historical points of interest and signs that give a brief synopsis. This includes Gordon's Ferry, The Butterfield Stage Road, the Kern River Stage Station, the Yowlumne Yokuts Encampment, and the Kern Island Oil Field.

We have tried to go twice and both times there were sketchy people loitering in the parking area. I was not comfortable with them seeing us park our car and walk away. We may try again, if our experience is different, I will update.Our attempts were at about 9:30 or 10:00 in the morning on the weekend.

My wife and I are always looking for a place to take our for legged kids for a hike. My neighbors told me about this hidden little gem!!! To start with the signs are really in plain sight as you travel North on Manor from Columbus, you just have to be looking for it, because it is a little small. I can't tell you how many times we have driven right past the sign and never noticed it. So if you take the Roberts Road exit you'll want to go East off the exit. At the end of the road is a dirt parking lot which is where some of the trails begin. There is a kiosk that has information and a few maps as there are multiple trails. Now to caution you the tails are not very wide and this time of year our local rattle snakes can be hidden in the bushes depending on the time of day you go. Right now the fox tails are in full forces so we had to cut our trip a little short as one of our kids tends to attract the all in his fur. Some of the groups around Bakersfield have planted new life throughout the trails. Diffidently a great place to visit and a place to search for wildlife,,,,,

A lot of homeless people In that area. Parking your car there and it will be broken into. Secluded parking, can't see from main road.