Kernville, CA
(760) 223-6269
Sign In
Sign In

About Kernville

Scenic mountain landscape under a partly cloudy sky.

Kernville, CA

Originally Whiskey Flats

Kernville (Whiskey Flat) is a wonderful destination place! It offers up history as well as new and exciting adventures. It began as a place for those seeking their fortunes in the Big Blue Gold Mine on the Kern River in 1860. Alcohol was not allowed at the mine site, so an industrious fellow threw a plank across a couple of whiskey barrels down on the flat south of the mine and so named it Whiskey Flat. A few years later in 1864, the name was changed by the people of the growing town to the less wild and woolly name of Kernville. Families were moving in and it was no longer fitting to have the name associated with "demon rum," as the ladies of the town called it.
A rusty yellow truck is parked in front of the Kernville Saloon.

Present day Kernville has flourished and caters to large tourist industries centered on white water rafting, tubing, mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, antiquing and other recreational activities. Fishing is extremely popular, and the golden trout is highly sought after for catch and release fishing by fly fishermen. We also serve as the gateway to the Trail of 100 Giants (Sequoia Monument open May-Oct-weather permitting.) Excitement awaits you right here in Kernville, CA the southern Sierra gateway to fun!