I am going to be driving our car down from the Pacific NW to Palm Springs and will be spending the night in Bakersfield CA. It happens to be New Year's Eve and then the morning of New Year's day. The last time we were there a few years back also on New Year's Eve we ate at a steakhouse called the Hungry Hunter and even with reservations they were about 1 1/2 late seating us because they were so packed. So I am hoping to avoid that this time. A friend will be making this part of the trip with me from Sacramento and then taking the train back on New Year's day at noon. I am hoping some folks who know Bakersfield might have a dinner restaurant suggestion for new year's eve and maybe a brunch or early lunch place suggestion for New Year's day.

Also we were thinking the Padre Hotel might be nice for drinks on NY Eve or maybe even the dinner or brunch spot. They seem to have numerous dining options. Has anyone been there and do you recommend it? We also have read a lot about Basque food in Bakersfield and would be curious to try that as well-but wondering whether NY Eve will be packed....

If Bakersfield was chosen solely for ease of getting on the #715 San Joaquin, could you drive over the grapevine to The Santa Clarita/Newhall/Valencia area. There is a bus that goes from LA with a stop in Newhall at about 10AM that connects to the train in Bakersfield. I'm thinking you will find some better choices in that area than Bakersfield.
Looking at the list of Bakersfield NYE restaurants, the Mark looked like a better deal than the Padre.
I have ridden the Amtrak bus from Newhall to Bakersfield several times. The pickup spot is at the curb next to the light rail station along Railroad Ave. south of Lyons Avenue in Newhall.

i am Basque American but haven’t had Basque food in Bakersfield in many years. It is usually served family style on long communal tables, very rustic and you get a lot of it. The restaurants are in the older part of Bakersfield, as originally, many were boarding houses for the Basque immigrants that came to herd sheep in the first half of the 20th century. The Wool Growers, Noriega’s, Chalet Basque are well known. You may want to check if any of these are having a special New Year’s Eve menu or are taking reservations.. If you go, try the pickled tongue; tender and delicious, no kidding.

Thanks all-yes the Wool Growers and Noriega were the only 2 I knew about-I will also check out the Chalet Basque. So far none of them seem to accept reservations at least via internet, but I will probably call and check it out. I will also check out the chowhound board for foodie ideas. I am not sure NY Eve is really the best night for the Basque restaurants since they do mostly seem to be family style but I will research it further.

My sister lives just off the grapevine in Pine Mountain Club. She expects to be snowed in for Christmas, and the grapevine may be closed - as it often is. Check conditions before you head out. You may need chains.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu-yes I will definitely be checking conditions as I travel. Right now the long range forecast for the 1st of Jan for both the Tejon pass summit up from Grapevine, and the pass on Tehachapi Pass, which is my preferred route, both look good for that time frame-but I will be checking as I get closer. Both the pass at Tejon on I-5 at 4,160 ft. and the pass near Tehachapi at 4,031 ft. are similar in height, but of course conditions could be way different. If for some reason the weather turns bad then I will stay on in Bakersfield til it get a bit easier-I learned long ago not to brave the grapevine in bad weather-such a hassle!

Just in case, I have bought snow chains from a regional tire store called Les Schwab. What is nice about them is that if you don't use the chains they will buy them back from you starting April 1st and will accept them for return any time after that. Since we are going to be leaving our car in Palm Springs until early July when we get back from Europe-we won't be able to return them until mid-July so I was glad that they seem to have no problem with that.

I am planning on taking the trip slowly-no more than 4 hours per day since I will be doing this trip solo most of the way (my DH has some not to be missed medical stuff so needs to stay in the NW this time and I will fly back), although will have a friend with me on the Sacramento to Bakersfield leg, so that will be nice to have some company for part of the way. We need to get the car down there for the winter through spring time and I wasn't too excited about the shipping options so decided to make the drive. Luckily I have some friends along the way to see and only drive relatively short distances in the winter,. With any luck I will dodge the weather too which is what the long term forecast shows at the moment but we will see as I get closer.

Just to circle back for others who might be in Bakersfield at dinner time, we had a lovely New Years Eve meal at Dot x Ott. They had a special menu that night and we celebrated with lobster and Brazino. We loved the Kohlrabi gratin as well . The Kohlrabi was from their affiliated farm nearby. So all in all a very nice evening. The next morning we ended up just across the street for breakfast at Cafe Smitten and had great coffee and really yummy Moroccan eggs:

https://www.cafesmitten.com/

Just to circle back for others who might be in Bakersfield at dinner time, we had a lovely New Years Eve meal at Dot x Ott. They had a special menu that night and we celebrated with lobster and Brazino. We loved the Kohlrabi gratin as well . The Kohlrabi was from their affiliated farm nearby. So all in all a very nice evening. The next morning we ended up just across the street for breakfast at Cafe Smitten and had great coffee and really yummy Moroccan eggs:

https://www.cafesmitten.com/

Glad it worked out. When I first saw your thread title back in Dec . . . >>New Year's Eve in Bakersfield

Thanks for reporting back.