With newer retail surrounding a central park, Artisan is a neighborhood crafted for comfort on the edge of Bakersfield, with palm trees and well-trimmed lawns dwindling into plowed-dirt acres in California's Central Valley. "When I was growing up, there was nothing here but almond orchards,” says William Gordon, a lifelong resident of western Bakersfield and Realtor at Watson Realty. “Now, there are no more orchards, just million-dollar homes."
Artisan has ranch-style and Mediterranean homes with arched corridors and flat-tiled roofs. On Cactus Valley Drive, one-story Craftsman homes sit tightly packed on quarter-acre lots with flat green lawns. New Traditional homes built in the early 2000s lie neatly along Grand Prairie Drive with two-car garages and fenced-in backyards. Communities border the perimeter of Greystone Park, like Windwood, a subdivision with a mix of diverse architecture off the beaten path. Palm trees provide shade and add to the sunny California vibe in Bakersfield. Homes typically cost between $350,000 and $550,000.
The splash pad sprinkler park is perhaps Greystone's most recognizable feature, with a red bucket mechanism that reads "Fire Station" and dumps water on bystanders. "Greystone Park is not your run-of-the-mill park," Gordon says. Paved paths lead to half-court basketball and a playground shaded by umbrellas. Greystone also has a picnic area under a gazebo - a prominent feature shared by multiple Bakersfield parks. Tradewinds Park, another recreational space, is a sizeable tree-lined area that has beach volleyball, horseshoe pits and a jungle gym.
Panama-Buena Vista Union and Kern High School District serve students in southwest Bakersfield. Buena Vista Elementary receives a B rating from Niche, and the Edible Schoolyard is on the same campus, offering summer workshops in organic gardening and culinary education. Earl Warren Junior High School maintains a B-plus and offers tryouts for an instrumental band and color guard. Independence High School also earns a B-plus grade, offering programs like agricultural education and energy studies.
Old River Ranch is a Spanish-style shopping center with a Starbucks, Chipotle and other chains. "You're still close to all the new stuff coming in along Buena Vista with a better price point. Artisan also benefits from the development on Panama Lane and the Old River intersection," Gordon says. Vallarta Supermarket plans to open a location in Old River Ranch by 2026. Gosford Village is a significant outlet plaza that has department stores, brand-name apparel and restaurant chains on a 73-acre lot less than 3 miles east of Artisan. Pizz-a-Perfection serves fresh-made pies loaded with unique ingredients in a bright bar space. Mas Bella is a Mexican restaurant with traditional décor in a modern atmosphere. WinCo Foods is a supermarket on Panama Lane, and a Walmart Supercenter is on Gosford Road.
Artisan is a car-dependent neighborhood that is somewhat bikeable, with cycling lanes lining the main roads. The Golden Empire Transit (GET) bus system provides public transportation in Bakersfield, with four stops along Harris Road about 2 miles east. River Road, a vital thoroughfare, runs north, connecting to state Route 58 and east toward Downtown, about 12 miles northeast. The Bakersfield Train Station provides Amtrak travel on the San Joaquins line, which reaches cities like Stockton, Modesto and Sacramento with connections to the Bay Area. Los Angeles is about 113 miles south on Interstate 5, and the Los Angeles International Airport offers air travel to Bakersfield.
Several entertainment venues are accessible to West Bakersfield. The Empty Space is a donation-based community theater about four miles east that provides dramatic plays, live music and art galleries. The Dore Theater is another venue at California State University that hosts student-led performances and musical productions. In Downtown Bakersfield, more options await with historic auditoriums, vintage concert halls and museums.
The energy capital of California, Kern County, is the top oil-producing area in the country. Because of Bakersfield's oil and drilling industries, the city has more days with lesser air quality than the average city. However, Kern County has implemented environmental regulations and initiatives in accordance with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, like offering rebates for electric vehicles.
Eric Mora
The Mora Partners Inc.
(661) 535-1530
577 Total Sales
5 in Artisan
$315K - $845K Price Range
William Gordon
Watson Realty
(805) 918-8011
572 Total Sales
5 in Artisan
$285K - $769K Price Range
Valerie Driesen
Jeff Jackson & Associates
(661) 384-8524
101 Total Sales
1 in Artisan
$440,000 Price
Sylvia Cable
Vylla Home, Inc.
(661) 427-2949
43 Total Sales
1 in Artisan
$480,000 Price
Heather Heath
RE/MAX Golden Empire
(661) 529-7883
39 Total Sales
1 in Artisan
$535,000 Price
Pete Peralta
Miramar International-Riverwal
(661) 218-1934
163 Total Sales
1 in Artisan
$407,000 Price
On average, homes in Artisan, Bakersfield sell after 75 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Artisan, Bakersfield over the last 12 months is $499,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Suburban enclave near shopping, 11 miles from downtown Bakersfield
Suburb with Mediterranean-style communities next to shopping centers and parks
Top-rated schools, well-kept lawns and modern Mediterranean homes near retail
Former farming area with prestigious schools next to a master-planned community
Master-planned community with new homes around park space and club amenities
A charming mix of modern homes and rural farmland
