Taft - The West Side of Kern County revolves around the small town of Taft. You'll find this quaint community of 18,000 nestled in the foothills at the extreme southwestern edge of the San Joaquin Valley, just 35 minutes from Bakersfield or the Los Padres National Forest and two hours from California's Central Coast.

If you think you've seen Taft before, you're probably right. It has been a favorite of Hollywood since 1912. The 1950's-style downtown was featured in The Best of Times, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman and the groundbreaking Hands Across America music video. The same charm that attracts filmmakers makes Taft a great place to live.

This is a community rich in history. Built on oil, Taft celebrates that heritage with one of the few all-volunteer petroleum technology museums in the country. The West Side Recreation and Park District offers programs for active and not-so-active seniors, and nearby Taft Community College is a great place to participate in a wide variety of activities.

The surrounding bedroom communities of Maricopa, Valley Acres, Dustin Acres, Derby Acres and Fellows are perfect for the person who wants a little more space; combining a rural feel with easy access to services.