Taft, CA Homes for Rent

Taft, California, named after President William Taft, is a small city with a population of 7,000 located outside Bakersfield. Known for its oil-centric economy, major companies like AERA Energy and Exxon Mobil operate in the Midway-Sunset Field, the largest oil field in the country. Taft offers lower housing prices compared to surrounding areas, featuring Craftsman and ranch-style homes with Spanish architectural influences, including stucco walls and tile roofs. Ford City, a neighborhood within Taft, has eclectic bungalows on sandy lots. The city center has an Old West charm with sunny streets and 20th-century storefronts, where Mexican restaurants and cantinas are popular dining spots. Center Street serves as the local retail hub, home to attractions like the Taft Fox Theater, an Art Deco cinema. The West Kern Oil Museum showcases the city's oil history, and every five years, Taft hosts the Oildorado festival, celebrating its energy heritage. The Taft City School District and Taft Union High School District serve local students, with the high school offering the Oil-Technology Academy. Green spaces include the Franklin Field Complex and the West Side Community Center, while the 4-mile Rails to Trails path features the Oil Worker Monument. Taft Area Transit provides bus services within the city and to neighboring Maricopa, and California state Route 119 connects Taft to Bakersfield, 36 miles northeast. Despite its desert climate and occasional poor air quality, Taft remains a unique community with a rich history and affordable living options.