$460,926Average Value$239Average Price per Sq Ft43Homes For Sale
Unincorporated living near Bakersfield's major industries
Olive Drive Area is an unincorporated suburb of Bakersfield 5 miles northwest of the city center. “It was originally developed by the grape guys who wanted to be close to the freeway and their farms up in Delano, but also wanted the convenience of being close to the city,” says William Gordon of the Gordon Team, who has sold real estate in Bakersfield since 2007. “It’s still mostly agricultural workers in the area, but lately as logistics plants have sprung up outside of town, people in those fields have moved in to take advantage of the location as well.” The neighborhood is not technically a part of the city of Bakersfield, but locals don’t see it that way. “There are a lot of weird unincorporated pockets around town, but someone would never come into the Olive Drive Area and think that they’re not outside of Bakersfield,” says Gordon. “It’s all connected.”
Living outside Bakersfield city limits
Being unincorporated has its pros and cons. “If your goal is to avoid certain taxes and you don’t feel the need to have city services this could be a great spot,” Gordon states. “No one here is going to tell you what to do with your land or where you can and can’t park your RV.” Still, the Kern County Fire Department is located on the neighborhood’s east end and provides quick services to the area. Homes in Olive Drive Area don’t have access to Bakersfield water, so all properties are on septic tanks. “Living in the city versus outside of the limits is like paying for insurance,” Gordon states. “Do you want to take a small hit every month or a massive hit if the time for a new tank comes? It depends on how much you have saved up, and for some, it’s worth the risk because it may not happen for 50 years.”
Many mid 20th century homes have large yards in Olive Drive Area.
This late 20th century Spanish style inspired home has large palm trees in Olive Drive Area.
A well restored early 20th century Craftsman style home in Olive Drive Area.
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Craftsman homes and quiet streets east and west of Fruitvale Avenue
There’s plenty of variety in housing styles and prices in Olive Drive Area. Smaller ranch-style houses east of Fruitvale Avenue start at $210,000 and range up to $445,000, while larger Craftsman builds are in the $450,000 to $540,000 range. West of Fruitvale, ranch-style houses cost between $370,000 and $450,000, while Craftsman homes cost between $470,000 and $550,000. Luxury homes with Mediterranean influence in gated neighborhoods like Palm Tree Circle and Iron Oak Estates cost between $680,000 and $1.3 million depending on size. “Almost all of these homes are custom-made,” says Gordon. “The lot sizes are bigger than most other places in Bakersfield so most have pools or at least a large backyard. A home that’s $900,000 here is over $2 million anywhere else in California.” Houses have private driveways and attached garages, while the neighborhood roads are flat and wide. Many houses have RVs parked in driveways, palm trees in the yards and American flags hanging near their front doors. A few condos are available in the $220,000 to $240,000 price range.
The entrance of the San Lauren Elementary School in Bakersfield.
Beardsley Junior High School in Bakersfield has beautiful brick buildings.
A giant star highlights the welcome sign to North High School in Bakersfield.
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Learning at Centennial High
Kids in the neighborhood may attend Olive Drive Elementary School, rated B by Niche and part of the Norris Elementary School District. Norris Middle School has a B-plus grade, while Centennial High School earns an A-minus ranking. Centennial High is a part of the Kern High School District and was rated by Niche as the fourth-best public high school in the Bakersfield area. The school offers a Career Technical Education program to prepare students for work in architectural design, business and media arts. “Being in the county, the schools are higher rated than those in the city,” says Gordon. “People might come to the area for proximity to jobs and decide to stay when they have kids because of the school district.”
Make Fruitvale Norris Park your new morning walk destination.
Centennial High School has great academic and athletic opportunities for students.
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Fun at Fruitvale Norris Park
Residents head to Fruitvale Norris Park for baseball and softball games. The park has four diamonds, two of which are lighted for play after the sun goes down. Palm trees are seen behind the outfield fences and along the walking paths inside the park. Tennis and basketball players can get a game in on their respective courts, while children hang out on the jungle gyms. Across the street from the park is Olive Knolls Church, which hosts the Olive Knolls Craft Fair each November. The fair celebrated its 31st anniversary in 2023 and offers thousands of homemade items at booths set up in the Worship Center and outside on the lawn. Golfers head to The Links at Riverlakes Ranch, 2 miles southwest of most homes for a round of 18 holes. “It’s one of the few public courses in Bakersfield, which makes it very popular,” says Gordon.
An example of the delicious and healthy treats at Acai Delight & Juice Bar in Olive Drive Area.
Line up for some delicious food at Hodel's Country Dining in Olive Drive Area.
Enjoy some wonderful Mexican food at Rancho Grande in Olive Drive Area.
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Brunch at Milt's Diner
Most restaurants in Olive Drive Area are concentrated near Highway 99 on the neighborhood’s east end. Residents head to Milt’s Diner for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Stepping into the diner feels like stepping back in time; Milt’s has swiveling barstools and tables with plenty of cream and sugar packets. Locals enjoy burritos and tacos on the patio at Mr. Avocado’s Mexican Asada Grill. College Smoothies and Donuts serves quick breakfasts, as diners can grab a drink and choose from the many doughnuts behind the counter. Albertsons is located on the southwest side of the neighborhood for easy grocery shopping. One mile down Olive Drive, the RiverLakes Galleria offers big box retail stores.
Residents of Olive Drive Area can catch the Golden Empire Transit at several bus stops.
The Golden Empire Transit bus line runs throughout Olive Drive Area.
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Heat in the summer months
Like much of Bakersfield, Olive Drive Area residents will experience many low air quality days during the year. “We’re in an unfortunate position where we’re downwind from Sacramento and Fresno so they export their pollution here,” says Gordon. “The mountains kind of trap it here, but as they clean up their air ours will get better as well.” Bakersfield also experiences extreme heat in the summers with temperatures regularly topping out over 100 degrees.
Quick access to 99
Residents can hop on Highway 99 and drive 5 miles to downtown Bakersfield or take Interstate 5 115 miles south to Los Angeles. The Bakersfield Meadows Field Airport is 5 miles north, with daily flights to Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and San Francisco.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Olive Drive Area neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Olive Drive Area
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Olive Drive Area Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Olive Drive Area, Bakersfield sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Olive Drive Area, Bakersfield over the last 12 months is $434,950, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this lovingly maintained 3 bed, 2 bath home offering 2,220 sq ft of living space on an over 10,000 sq ft lot in a desirable Olive Drive neighborhood within walking distance of Olive Drive Elementary. Upgrades include new roof installed in 2016 & new HVAC system installed in 2017. Mature landscaping & attractive curb appeal lead to a spacious interior featuring large family room w/ a
Welcome to 5510 Lombardy Court! This delightful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers 2,203 square feet of comfortable living space, thoughtfully designed and built in 2003. Nestled on a spacious 10,018 square foot lot, this property provides plenty of outdoor space for fun and relaxation.Situated on a peaceful cul-de-sac, this home offers a serene and safe environment, perfect for families and those
Beautifully Updated Northwest Home! This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath with a 2-cargarage residence is filled with upgrades, including an updated kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, plantation shutters, flooring, and staircase. The versatile floorplan offers a formal living room and a cozy den with fireplace. Two bedrooms and a full bath are conveniently located downstairs, while the private upstairs
This house exudes that inviting feeling of home. Updated luxury vinyl and paint throughout the home. Natural light surrounds you as you enter the large open living/dining area with tasteful dcor. Warm up on a chilly night with a fire in the corner fireplace. The updated gourmet kitchen is a cook's delight that opens up to the full breakfast area. Double ovens make cooking a dream as well as
Welcome to 5551 Midsummer Dr Apt E in Bakersfield! This charming 2-bedroom, 2.5 -bath home is ready for its new owners. Ideal for first-time home buyers, the property features large windows that provide great natural lighting throughout and solar on the home! A wonderful opportunity to own a comfortable and inviting home in a convenient location.
Beautiful 4 bedroom/3 bath home in the desirable Olive Estates community. The owners have made many recent improvements and upgrades, including new exterior and interior paint, carpet and hard flooring, lighting and fans throughout, upgraded Pex Plumbing, guest bathroom remodel and new custom garage flooring. The living area boasts a majestic stone fireplace with upgraded gas log insert. The
NW Vintage Home Built by Curt Carter 1964. The owner's took excellent care of this vintage home. Kitchen updated with new cabinets and vinyl flooring. Formal Living Rm and Separate Family Rm. Wonderful built in book shelves for your books or collectables in the family rm. The hallway has beautiful built-in cabinets and drawers for linens, blankets, games, etc. that you may not find in newer
Dream Home Alert With sparkling resurfaced pool! This beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers the perfect blend of modern updates and functional space. The open-concept floor plan is designed for effortless entertaining, featuring brand-new flooring throughout, a stunning kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, and plenty of natural light. Enjoy peace of mind with a new
Northwest Bakersfield beauty with space and upgrades! This move-in ready 3 bedroom, 3 bath home with a great room sits on a spacious corner lot in a quiet neighborhood. Interior highlights include new flooring, fresh paint, updated fixtures, and a bright open layout. The remodeled kitchen features quartz counters, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a gorgeous sink with a front facing
Welcome to this stunning Olive Estates gem nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Rosedale! This spacious 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers approximately 2,285 sqft of comfortable living space, including a versatile bonus loft perfect for a home office, playroom, or guest area. The expansive living area is ideal for entertaining, flowing effortlessly into the kitchen and dining spaces.
Welcome to 6413 Gina Ct, a charming home tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac. The home features thoughtfully selected upgrades completed in a timeless style. This property offers a functional floor plan with comfortable living spaces, ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen opens to the main living area, creating a seamless flow for gatherings, while natural light fills the
Here is an updated 4 bed, 2 bath home in the heart of Olive Drive offers over 2,200 sq ft of refreshed living space. The kitchen has been redone with new countertops, refreshed cabinets, and backsplash. Fresh paint, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and updated bathroom give the home an open and fresh feel. It also features a spacious great room + fireplace, and sits on an always desirable corner lot.
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