Homes for Rent in Taft, Taft

Taft, located in western Kern County, is a small city within a vast oil production region. Despite its oil town origins, Taft boasts a vibrant and friendly community. The downtown area is bustling with shops, antique stores, restaurants, and businesses. Taft has also been a filming location for over a dozen movies, including the 1986 film “The Best of Times.” The neighborhood offers a variety of home styles, from ranches and modern Craftsman to Mediterranean-influenced homes, mostly built between 1940 and 1990. Tree-lined streets with sidewalks and private driveways are common, and some newer homes feature inground pools. Students in Taft attend schools with high ratings, including Parkview Elementary, Lincoln Junior, and Taft Union High School, which offers the Taft Oil-Technology Academy. For things to do, residents can visit Veterans Memorial Park, the 67-acre Franklin Field Complex, and Ford City Park. The Historic Fort and the West Kern Oil Museum provide insights into the local history and oil industry. Downtown Taft features retailers like Oildorado Headquarters and Acme shop, and dining options such as Black Gold Brewing. Taft hosts several events, including the Oildorado festival every five years, a July 4 celebration at Franklin Field, and the annual Santa Fun Run in December. The city is intersected by California highways 33 and 119, making it 35 miles from Bakersfield and 40 miles from Meadow Field Airport, with public bus service available via Kern Transit. While Taft is a walkable neighborhood, it faces challenges with air pollution and a higher-than-average asthma rate.