The Kern County Cooling Center season will begin on Monday, June 1, 2026, and is expected to end, subject to funding, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
For the health, safety, and comfort of our residents, Kern County Aging & Adult Services, with the cooperation of Kern County General Services, other Kern County agencies and/or districts, and PG&E, will open cooling centers throughout the County when temperatures are forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS) to exceed certain highs.
Cooling centers will open in the following locations:
- San Joaquin and Kern River Valleys when the temperatures are forecast to be 105 degrees or higher.
- Desert areas when temperatures are forecast to be 108 degrees or higher.
- Frazier Park when temperatures are forecast to be 93 degrees or higher.
The centers will operate from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Cooling Centers Daily Report will be issued by 11:00 a.m. the day before centers open. Residents using the cooling centers are encouraged to bring their favorite non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, reading material, games, and other items to better enjoy the centers.
Cooling Center Locations:
San Joaquin and Kern River Valley Centers
Arvin - Arvin Community Center, 800 Walnut Drive
Bakersfield - East Bakersfield Veterans Building, 2101 Ridge Road
Bakersfield - The Mission of Kern County, 821 E 21st Street
This center will operate independent of the County's program and/or the guidelines listed above. It will be open Monday - Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Delano - Jefferson Community Center, 436 Jefferson Street
This center will operate independent of the County's program and/or the guidelines listed above. The center's season will be from Monday, June 22, 2026 to Friday, September 4, 2026. It will be open Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..
Delano - 11th Avenue Community Center, 200 West 11th Avenue
This center will operate independent of the County's program and/or the guidelines listed above. The center's season will be from Monday, June 22, 2026 to Friday, September 4, 2026. It will be open Monday - Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m..
Lake Isabella - Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6405 Lake Isabella Boulevard
Maricopa - Gusher Hall, 271 California Street
McFarland - McFarland Veterans Center, 103 W Sherwood Ave
This center will operate with different hours than listed above. It will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Shafter - Walker Senior Center, 505 Sunset Avenue
Taft - Taft Community Center Activity Building, 500 Cascade Place
Mountain Center
Frazier Park - Frazier Park Recreation Building, 3801 Park Drive
Desert Centers
Rosamond - Hummel Community Building, 2500 20th Street
California City - Strata Center, 10350 Heather Avenue
Ridgecrest - The Kerr McGee Center, 100 W. California Avenue
This center will operate independent of the County's program and/or the guidelines listed above. It will be open Monday - Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Closed on Sundays and holidays.