Buena Vista Museum of Natural History

The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum in downtown Bakersfield that displays fossils, mounted animals, minerals, and educational exhibits about Earth sciences. The galleries are arranged so visitors can explore different aspects of the natural world, from ancient marine life to rock formations.

The museum was founded in 1995 and houses an extensive collection of fossil remains from the Miocene Epoch discovered at Shark Tooth Hill. The collection documents a time when this region was covered by seas and supported diverse marine animal life.

The collections on display help visitors understand how life looked millions of years ago in this region. Seeing actual fossils and minerals encourages people to think about deep time and the planet's natural history.

The museum is easily accessible in the downtown area with exhibits arranged in manageable galleries that visitors can explore at their own pace. Plan to spend about two to three hours for a complete visit through all the displays.

The museum offers visitors the rare chance to participate in actual fossil digs at Shark Tooth Hill and uncover remains themselves. This hands-on experience allows people to work like real paleontologists and feel the excitement of discovery firsthand.

Location: California

Inception: 1995

Address: 2018 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Phone: +(661)3246350

Website: https://buenavistamuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 35.37760,-119.01800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:45