Facility Overview

The Bakersfield High School (BHS) Football Field Parking Lot serves students, staff, and thousands of spirited sports fans visiting historic Griffith Field, home of the famed Bakersfield High Drillers. Situated in the southern section of Downtown Bakersfield, California, this facility is an expansive, open-air surface parking lot designed to manage high volumes of traffic during athletic competitions, school functions, and community gatherings. Because the facility is entirely outdoor and flat-graded, there are no vertical height restrictions or overhead clearance barriers. This makes it an accommodating choice for a wide variety of vehicle types, ranging from standard sedans and compact cars to lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and passenger vans that might otherwise struggle in cramped parking garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned directly adjacent to Griffith Field and the athletic grounds of Bakersfield High School, this parking location places visitors at the center of Kern County prep sports culture. Beyond game day festivities, the lot is located within quick reach of several central Bakersfield points of interest:

• Griffith Field & BHS Campus: Immediate walking access (under a 2-minute walk) to the stadium gates, track, and gymnasium facilities.
• Downtown Bakersfield & The Arts District: Located roughly 0.8 miles north (a 3-minute drive or 15-minute walk), providing convenient access to local dining, boutique shops, and historic architecture.
• Mechanics Bank Arena, Theater and Convention Center: Situated approximately 1 mile northeast, hosting major concerts, family shows, and Bakersfield Condors AHL hockey games.
• Historic Fox Theater: Roughly 1 mile away along F Street, offering live entertainment and classic performances.
• Central Park at Mill Creek: Located just over 1 mile east, offering scenic walking paths, green space, and peaceful waterways.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating to the parking lot is straightforward via Bakersfield\'s arterial grid. The facility is directly accessible from major nearby thoroughfares, including California Avenue, F Street, and Chester Avenue. Drivers arriving from regional routes can easily connect via State Route 99 (SR-99) or State Route 58 (SR-58), both of which have convenient exits leading directly toward California Avenue. Ingress and egress are managed through clearly designated curb cuts; however, during varsity football matchups and homecoming events, traffic along F Street and California Avenue can become congested, and local school safety officers often assist with traffic flow. For visitors utilizing public transit, Golden Empire Transit (GET Bus) operates routes along California Avenue and Chester Avenue with stops located within short walking distance of the campus.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Lot: Wide driving lanes and spacious layout with no clearance restrictions.
• Accessible Parking: Designated ADA-compliant spaces positioned near paved pedestrian walkways leading to the field gates.
• Nighttime Illumination: High-mast security floodlights provide visibility across the lot during evening games and nighttime dismissals.
• Pedestrian Connectivity: Level, paved sidewalks connecting drivers directly to ticket booths and stadium entryways.
• Event Day Marshaling: Active traffic management by school staff and Kern High School District safety personnel during major games.

Ideal For

• High School Football Fans: Perfect for attendees cheering on the BHS Drillers at Friday night varsity games and rivalry matchups.
• Track & Field and Multi-Sport Spectators: Direct, seamless parking for weekend invitationals, soccer games, and athletic tournaments.
• School Visitors & Parents: Convenient staging area for after-school pickups, parent-teacher conferences, and extracurricular events.
• Community Event Attendees: Practical staging area for approved civic and district-sponsored gatherings.

Visitor & Driver Tips

For high-profile football matchups—especially Friday night league games and traditional rivalry showdowns—this lot fills up quickly. Arriving 30 to 45 minutes prior to kickoff is strongly advised to secure a spot close to the stadium turnstiles. Be sure to check posted school district signage upon entry, as parking regulations strictly prohibit overnight vehicle storage, tailgating with open flames, and unauthorized commercial vehicle staging. When exiting following an event, consider taking secondary side streets toward Truxtun Avenue or 24th Street to bypass heavy bottleneck traffic along California Avenue.