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Home  /  California • Roads  /  Bakersfield to Kernville Via Highway 178
highway 178 on motorcycle
11 April 2015

Bakersfield to Kernville Via Highway 178

Written by Steve Johnson
California, Roads 1 Comment

Motorcycle riders in the Bakersfield area looking for an excuse to ride their bikes out of town, look no further to the town of Kernville located along the Kern River, just north of Lake Isabella.

Highway 178, which is the main east-west thoroughfare through Bakersfield, leads you east into the southern arm of Sequoia National Forest as it parallels the river through a twisting, winding canyon. River rafters and overnight campers are a common sight along the Kern.

This particular portion of the 178 is two-lane, and often times quite narrow as is cuts up close to jagged rocks. The state has put up warning signs cautioning motorists of the numerous deaths that have occurred over the decades.

But the benefits outweigh the risks, rewarding riders with beautiful views of the canyon, mountins, and river. There are numerous places to pull off the road and take a photo.

Highway 178 rises in elevation the further east you go towards Lake Isabella. Eventually it takes you into a two-mile portion of tight switchbacks, with road signs recommending speeds of 15-25 MPH.

And then, all of a sudden, the road opens up into four-lanes of straights and wide sweepers until you get into Lake Isabella. From there, take Highway 155 north into Kernville.

Kernville was originally founded as Rogersville in the middle of Lake Isabella (back when there was no lake) after an 1858 gold rush. In 1948, when the dam was built on the Kern River, Kernville was moved north of the new reservoir.

Today, Kernville is a popular destination for tourists because of its antique shops, arts and crafts, and country-style cafes. For us, Kern River Brewing was the featured attraction.

Many motorcycle riders prefer to head further north along Highway 155 to McNally’s, a resort with a burger shack popular with bikers. If you want to make it an extended day, consider the ride to Trail of a 100 giants, a short hike through a series of giant, old growth sequoia trees.

If you’re planning to take Highway 178 back into Bakersfield, consider using Sierra Way, the road that runs along the east side of Lake Isabella, taking you back to the 178.

highway 178 bakersfield
Highway 178 leaves Bakersfield into these orange groves
highway 178 kern river
Highway 178 enters into the Kern River Gorge
highway 178 motorcycles
Motorcycles on Highway 178
highway 178 sequoia national forest
Highway 178 winds along the Kern River in Sequoia National Forest
highway 178 motorcycle
Sash rides her motorcycle along Highway 178
kern river brewing
Kern River Brewing in Kernville offers a great lunch stop
lake isabella motorcycles
Looking across Lake Isabella from along Sierra Way
motorcycles lake isabella
Our motorycles parked overlooking Lake Isabella
sierra way lake isabella
Parked along Sierra Way, looking across a dry Lake Isabella
sierra way lake isabella ca
Sierra Way takes this long, straight stretch into the hills
highway 178 california
Rounding a sweeper along Highway 178
highway 178 california kern
Highway 178 offers beautiful view of the Kern River
highway 178 on motorcycle
Riding along Highway 178 from Lake Isabella

Steve Johnson
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Having first started riding in 1985 on a Kawasaki KZ400, Steve has ridden all across the United States and Canada. He currently travels full time on his Honda ST1300, living wherever he can find a friendly roof. Follow him on, "Motorcycle Philosophy".

 Previous Article Tucson to Bakersfield: March 30, 2015
Next Article   Motorcycling in Bakersfield, CA: April 12, 2015

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