When Bakersfield Heats Up Head Out To Jastro Park

(Photo from: http://www.bakersfieldcity.us/recreation/Parks/jastro.htm)

Jastro Park was built in 1917 and has made its mark in Bakersfield.  Jastro Park is located between Truxtun and 18th Street just east of Oak Street and provides several activities for all members of the family.   Jastro Park has been apart of the Bakersfield community for over eighty years and still attracts a lot of people during the hot summer months. 

The park has several qualities that may help avoid the heat in Bakersfield.   The park is filled with big trees to provide some cover from the sun.   There are two picnic areas available at Jastro Park for rent.  The picnic areas are perfect for birthday parties or just a nice summer BBQ.   

The park offers many activities to keep the children busy.  There are seven tennis courts that are available during park hours.  There are basketball courts that are available all day and even after sundown.  The park is equipped with volleyball nets and even horseshoe pits. 

After a competitive game of tennis or basketball, cool off at the Jastro spray park available during April or May until October.  The spray park is free and the perfect way to cool off during Bakersfield’s hottest months.   

Jastro Park does offer the usually necessities of a park as well.  There are sandboxes designed for younger children and toy areas designed for the older children.  It is guaranteed that the children will have plenty to do while the adults relax in the shade. 

 Grab the family and come and enjoy one of the more established parks in Bakersfield.  Jastro Park is the perfect solution to a cooler and fun summer.

When the weather gets warm grab a jacket and some skates

The San Joaquin Community Hospital Ice Center of Bakersfield is a great break from the heat. While the temperature in Bakersfield climbs closer and closer to triple digits people begin to fantasize about the winter. Going for a few hours of skating can transport the average person from 102 degree heat to a frigid wonderland.

Located on 1325 Q street, next to the Maya Cinemas and McMurtrey Aquatic Center, the ice rink is large and can easily have over 100 skaters on it at once.

The cost of admittance for adults is $8.00. Children and senior citizen receive a discount. If you don’t have a pair of ice skates the Ice Center rents pairs of skates, in figure skating and hockey varieties, for $3.00 a pair.

Skating can be a daunting task for the uninitiated though. However, the staff at the Ice Center are willing to walk beginners through everything from lacing skates to how to safely pick oneself up of the ground in case of a fall. Attendees can also check-out an “ice walker” if they need more stability.

A word of warning though – the place is cold. A jackets, warm pants or leggings, gloves and thick socks are a necessity when going skating. There aren’t many feeling more shocking then slipping and collapsing knee first on sub 30 degree ice while wearing shorts.

From the SJCH Facebook page.
A group of children watch while their instructor demonstrates hockey techniques.

 

About that Snow Cone Life

 

Bakersfield is a city known to experience massive heat waves and make you sweat. The heat isn’t something you can just shake out easily, especially if you don’t own a pool. Ice cream and frozen yogurt are two repetitive options that may not always do the trick in keeping you cool.

 

Image by: flickr.com
Sno Shacks are easily recognizable because of their cozy-looking blue structure.

Luckily, Sno Shacks open their small windows during the summer and provide deliciously icy treats packed with syrupy goodness. With an arsenal of flavors, Sno Shack can match any palate and any preference. Blue coconut and Tiger’s blood are my personal favorite flavors that I can’t get enough of. Even when I am on the go, there’s always a Sno Shack that I can sneak off to in between classes or while I’m running errands.

 

Image by: flickr.com
When you get that unbearably overwhelming hot feeling on a summer day, you can’t go wrong with shaved ice.

Sno Shack typically has three sizes to choose from and each is affordable in price. It’s a fun experience to mix different flavors or you can indulge in only one favorite flavor. There are some variations of Sno Shack that include other yummy snacks like churros, smoothies, slushies, shakes, coffees and more such as the Sno Biz located on Belle Terrace. Sno Biz offers a sweet twist to the usual snow cone and will let you add a delectable cream sauce atop your shaved ice.

Image by: flickr.com
Sno Biz is another shack to visit for shaved ice that also offers a greater variety of other treats.

Sno Shacks are located sporadically around Bakersfield, usually in the parking lots of Rite Aid, CVS and gas stations. The Sno Shack I visit the most is at 1107 Calloway. They’re relatively easy to spot. If you’d like to know more locations and their hours of operation, you can click here. Sno Biz is located at 4201 Belle Terrace. For more information on Sno Biz click here.

When I drive through Bakersfield, AC and music blasting to get my mind off the ridiculously hot weather, I see Sno Shack and Sno Biz as blue beacons of hope. I never hesitate to pull over and get myself some shaved ice. I’m about that snow cone life.