Ford City has oil roots and desert-style properties in Central CA
About 35 miles southwest of Bakersfield, Ford City has strong ties to oil and agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. Named after the American automobile manufacturer, Ford City is a working-class suburb directly north of downtown Taft, with Mexican eateries, desert-style properties and celebrated traditions close to the petroleum industry of Central California. "I like this community, and I think it’s a good place to live," says Cynthia Nichols, a real estate agent at Manage That Real Estate Sales & Management who has lived in the Taft area for about 50 years. "We have a lot of investors because new businesses are coming in, and it’s drawing a lot more people. We have a lot less crime, and a lot of people are tuned into the local Facebook groups."
Ford City’s desert streets connect neighborhoods with views of the San Joaquin Valley hills.
The Oil Worker Monument in Ford City honors petroleum heritage with bronze sculptures.
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Ranch-style homes with views of the hills and mountains
Tall Italian cypress trees and California fan palms shade Ford City's desert-style properties. Distant views stretch for miles into the backdrop of the San Joaquin Valley's hills and mountains. The area's architectural styles include Craftsman and ranch-style homes, ranging from $110,000 to $300,000. Manufactured homes cost between $70,000 and $190,000. The average summer high is about 98 F, and some summer days reach over 110 F. The region has poor air quality due to the area's topography and petroleum production, a significant industry in the valley. Due to the high temperatures and dry conditions, Ford City can experience wildfires that spread from dry vegetation.
Affordable Ford City ranch-style home priced as low as $110K near Taft’s vibrant community.
Ford City homes feature spacious lots and classic architecture for comfortable living.
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Mexican restaurants and Asian fusion in downtown Taft
This area offers an abundance of popular Mexican restaurants and sports bars. One option in Ford City is the burrito food truck Taqueria Lupita. Pilot Plaza, directly south of Ford City, has several eateries, such as the Original Hacienda Grill, which serves classics like tacos and fajitas. The plaza also has a SaveMore grocery store. About a mile south, the downtown area has more restaurants like the Same Place Cafe for breakfast, and Black Gold Brewing Company serves Asian food and burgers. "There are a lot of Mexican restaurants and pizza joints," Nichols says. "There are a few high-end restaurants, but a lot of people go to Bakersfield for things like home improvement stores."
Self Brewed Coffee House in Ford City serves fresh-roasted blends in a cozy, local setting.
Ford City diners enjoy tacos and fajitas at Original Hacienda Grill’s casual setting.
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Once every five years, Oildorado mixes pageants and petroleum pride
Oildorado Days is a 10-day celebration of Taft's history that occurs only once every five years, usually around October. Attended by about 20,000 people, the festival has many events, including a nail-driving contest, a beauty pageant and a civic luncheon. "It's a weird little celebration," Nichols says. "We have had competitions to see who can grow the fastest beard, drive a backhoe and change a wellhead the fastest. It's crazy, but it's pretty cool."
Oil Technology Academy connects high school students to industry
Taft has over 3,000 students across schools in the Taft City School and the Taft Union High School districts. Jefferson Elementary serves students from kindergarten to third grade, and it has after-school resources like tutoring and a migrant education program. Roosevelt School serves fourth and fifth grades and features an English language learners' program. Both Jefferson Elementary and Roosevelt earn C-minus grades from Niche. Lincoln Junior High School has a C, with a community service and a leadership club. Taft Union High School scores a B-minus. It has an Oil Technology Academy that explores STEM topics related to the petroleum industry. Taft College is a higher education option less than a mile south of Ford City.
Jefferson Elementary in Ford City offers after-school tutoring and migrant education programs.
Lincoln Junior High in Ford City offers leadership clubs and community service programs.
Taft Union High School near Ford City features an Oil Technology Academy for STEM learning.
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Ford City Park and bike trails offer outdoor activities
Ford City Park is a central green space with a playground, a basketball court and shady picnic tables. About a mile east, the Franklin Field Complex has baseball diamonds. The Oil Worker Monument has bronze statues honoring the early oil workers. The monument is also along a rails-to-trails paved bike path that extends about four miles throughout town.
Families in Ford City gather at Franklin Field Complex for games and community events.
Ford City’s Franklin Field Complex is a hub for youth sports and outdoor recreation.
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State Route 119 provides access to Interstate 5
Kern Transit provides public transportation between Taft and Bakersfield, with bus stops on Harrison Street in Ford City. The Taft Area Transit system offers some transit between Taft, Maricopa and other rural areas of Kern County. State Route 119 heads northeast toward Interstate 5 and Bakersfield. Meadows Field Airport is about 40 miles northeast, offering domestic passenger flights to many cities.
State Route 119 links Ford City to Bakersfield and the greater Central California region.
Ford City residents enjoy easy access to Bakersfield’s lively downtown attractions.
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Written By
Jackson Hardy
Photography Contributed By
Stewart Taveras
Video By
Tyler Hall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Miguel A. Hernandez,
an experienced agent in this area.
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