Taft, CA Road Trips

The primary industry of the region is oil and gas production, with some of the most prolific oil fields in the state including the Midway Sunset field being just minutes from the city. Other major employers include a nearby Federal prison and kitty litter mines. The town has a wide range of services including supermarkets, restaurants, a downtown theater and arts center, a college, and others. The area is a popular location for film shoots being just a little over 2 hours north of Los Angeles. Movies include the 2007 film There Will be Blood, a period drama about the beginning of the oil industry in the area. Taft in the past couple of years has marketed itself as the gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument and is trying to encourage tourism to the area but there isn't much infrastructure to support tourism as of yet. There are only about 6 hotels in town which all tend to run a bit on the seedy side but look for improvements in the near future as city planners continue to work to improve the city's visitor services.

1 The Fort, 915 N. Tenth St, ☏ +1 661 765-7371, [email protected]. The Fort is a replica of Sutter's Fort in Sacramento, built in 1940 of adobe bricks by the government as a depression era project. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Jun 2015) 2 West Kern Oil Museum, 1168 Wood St, ☏ +1 661 765-6664, fax: +1 661 765-9175, [email protected]. Thu-Sat 10AM-4PM, Sun 1PM-4PM. This museum tells the story of oil in California. (updated Jun 2015)

1 Air Adventures West, 25637 South Lake Rd, toll-free: +1-888-888-5867. Skydiving either tandem or solo with instruction. Prices start at $179 for tandem jumps. 2 Natatorium Swimming Pool (Walter Glenn Natatorium), 821 4th St, ☏ +1 661-765-4046. Swimming pool, splash park, and water slide. (updated Jun 2015) 3 Skydive Taft, 500 Airport Rd, ☏ +1 661 765-5867, fax: +1 661 763-1555, [email protected]. Reservations required. Call to set up a reservation. Skydiving either tandem or solo with instruction. Prices start at $189 for tandem jumps. (updated Jun 2015)

Caprice Motel, 222 Kern St, ☏ +1 661 765-2161, fax: +1 661 765-7911. Holland Inn and Suites, 531 Warren St, ☏ +1 661 763-5211, fax: +1 661 763-1536, [email protected]. Sunset Motel, 411 4th St, ☏ +1 661 765-6214. Topper's Motel, 101 E Kern St, ☏ +1 661 765-4145. Welcome Inn, 130 Kern St, ☏ +1 661 765-4174.

Taft is located at the intersection of CA-33 and CA-119. From the east, Taft is 16 miles from I-5. From the north, CA-33 connects Taft with McKittrick and Coalinga. From the south, CA-33 connects Taft with Maricopa and Santa Maria via CA-166. 1 Taft-Kern County Airport (FAA LID: L17). A public general aviation field outside the city.

Taft Area Transit (TAT), ☏ +1 661 763-3822, fax: +1 661 763-2480. Mon-Fri 7:15AM-5:40PM, Sat 8:15AM-4:10PM, Sun 8:15AM-4:10PM. TAT does not operate on holidays.. TAT has two local routes in the city as well as Taft-Maricopa connection. General $1; senior, ADA-certified, youth $0.75; children under 5 free.