The California Living Museum (CALM for short) is the only zoo in Bakersfield, California so if you want to see animals & learn abut nature, CALM is the place to go. When I was a child, I took many happy trips to CALM and now as a parent, I take my own children here.
CALM has several animal exhibits. Just a few of the animals that are there are deer, bears, foxes and raccoons. They have several bird exhibits and you can see falcons, owls, crows, bald eagles and more. At each exhibit is a little plaque that tells about the animal/bird you are looking at. My kids especially like going into the reptile house. There are lizards and snakes galore with even a few spiders.
They have a small petting zoo that has a few goats and a donkey. The goats are pretty much the only animals that your child will get to touch if they come up to the fence. When you leave the petting zoo area, they have a dispenser that you can use to wash your hands. Right next to the petting zoo is the duck pond. It is fenced in for safety reasons but it’s still fun to watch the ducks as they swim around in the water.
CALM is also a perfect place to take class field trips for all ages. Two of my children have gone on field trips to CALM. They have a member of the CALM staff standing by when your class first enters CALM. The kids will sit town in a cement area and then the CALM staff member will bring out a few animals with a lesson on each of them. After that, the classes can go to the different animal displays and end with having a nice picnic lunch (you have to bring your own).
After taking a tour of all the exhibits, there is a large grassy area with a playground and picnic tables. My family likes to pack our own lunch and enjoy it at CALM. This leaves us rested and we usually want to take another look around in case we missed anything.
During the year, CALM has a few special events, like at Halloween & Christmas. At Christmas they have the parade of lights where you go to CALM at night and they have lighted displays. During the special events at CALM, they usually have a little train running that you can ride on (for a small additional fee, usually $1 per person).
My overall opinion on CALM is that it’s a good place to take your kids. In all honesty, as an adult it seems the same as it did when I was a kid so I wouldn’t want to go here all the time. CALM is a great place to visit a couple of times during the year, in addition to the special events they hold throughout the year. I recommend that you bring your camera because there are several photo opportunities.
The California Living Museum is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. The gift shop closes at 4 PM so if you want a trinket to remember CALM by, make sure you visit the shop before closing time. Admission is $7 dollars for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 dollars for kids 3 to 17 years old and children under 3 are free.
CALM is located at 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway in Bakersfield, California. For more information, call (661) 872-2256. It is on the outskirts of town but it is well worth the drive.
