On the southern outskirts of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley, Panama might not be the place Van Halen was writing about with their hit song, but the California neighborhood has an identity all its own and provides its residents with a small-town atmosphere while staying within reach of the main city. “Around Panama are a lot of horses and farming and fruit trees,” says Autumn Mitchell, a Realtor and real estate executive with Tobias Real Estate. “We’re a huge agriculture city and we do a lot of farming, a lot of dairy business. We’re also famous for the ‘Bakersfield sound’ in music, made famous by Buck Owens and others.”
Newer homes with architectural variety
While new homes are still being built in the Panama neighborhood, most of the existing properties are designed in ranch or Spanish revival styles. Sometimes those are combined, with ranch homes adorned with Spanish-style influences, and other modern designs are also within the neighborhood. Manicured lawns, trees in the yards and stucco homes, some with wood or stone, are also among the features spotted on Panama’s residential streets. Many properties sell for between $350,000 and $500,000, with most going for $400,000 and upwards of that price, and there are plenty of sidewalks perfect for walking or jogging through the area.
An elevated view of the Panama neighborhood shows many new homes.
You will also find a variety of Spanish-style homes in Panama.
Many of the homes in Panama are newer with nice lawns and decorative trees.
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Well-rated schools with sports acumen
Students begin their learning at the Douglas J. Miller Elementary School within the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade and receives a B-minus with Niche. Grades seven and eight are hosted by Stonecreek Junior High School, which also rates at a score of a B-minus on Niche. Enrollment switches to the Kern High School District and Ridgeview High School, which is given a B-plus by Niche. Ridgeview High ranks as the best standout high school in the Bakersfield area, and its baseball team won the 2021 regional championship in Southern California’s Division IV.
Ridgeview High School in Panama is ranked #6,675 in National Rankings.
Douglas J. Miller Elementary School is ranked #2812 in California Elementary Schools.
The Ridgeview High School baseball team in Panama won the SoCal regional baseball title in 2021.
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A massive sports complex for recreation
Weston Park is the only such space located inside Panama’s boundaries, featuring an open field as well as a playground and picnic areas. The biggest draw, however, is located right on the western boundary of Panama with the Kaiser Permanente Sports Village Soccer Complex. “The sports complex hosts local leagues and all the travel teams play soccer there,” Mitchell says. “It’s on the east side.” The facility, located in the Alameda neighborhood, spans nearly 200 acres and was built in several phases. Amenities at the complex include over a dozen fields used for football and soccer, as well as baseball fields, basketball courts, a walking path and other areas for recreation. The playground there also features a gigantic baseball glove-shaped play area along with standard equipment.
A fixture of a soccer ball sits at one of the fields at the Sports Village in Panama.
A man rides his bike around the Sports Village in Panama.
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Hot food on the avenue
Residents need to venture outside of Panama’s neighborhood boundaries to find spots to eat, but plenty of restaurants are clustered around the northern side and it’s not a far drive from anywhere in the region. “We have a ton of restaurants,” Mitchell says. “Everybody eats out in this town. There’s a restaurant that Buck Owens created while he was still alive, and that’s a huge draw.” Owens’ restaurant is named the Crystal Palace, and is roughly 15 minutes from Panama in Bakersfield proper. Areas closer to Panama include Toasted, which offers breakfast, lunch and brunch on its menus alongside cocktails. Groceries can be found at WinCo Foods Market, and an assortment of stores can be found at Valley Plaza Mall farther into Bakersfield.
Customers enjoying the meal at Toasted in Panama.
Residents can get their groceries at the local WinCo Foods market in Panama.
Residents can get some sushi, get their nails done, or grab some donuts at this plaza in Panama.
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Residents can catch the bus along the edge of town on Stine Road in Panama.
Close to the bigger city via the highway
Panama is already linked to Bakersfield for the most part by its location within the outskirts of the city, but the closest highway is State Route 99 a few blocks to the east. The route stretches close to the Central Valley’s entire length, and via 99 residents can drive the short distance into Bakersfield or reach as far as Modesto, Sacramento, Stockton and beyond. A bus line within Panama is also available for the public to get from place to place.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
14,768
Median Age
31
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
33.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$110,721
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$119,790
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.8%
College Graduates
30.2%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
78.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
6''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
98°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
20/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
