There is a big-cat reserve between Rosamond and Tehachapi near the Willow Springs Speedway that has nothing but exotic cats, and you can touch many of them. They are just gorgeous! I took my parents there when they came out a couple years ago and they loved it. It is not very well known, but you can find it online. Great place to go.

Have them head up to Tehachapi and check it out --- it should be a gorgeous car ride right about then. They can go to 

, but it might be too soon for the

. In both places they can buy locally grown, organic goods.

I had the same problem when I moved back from college. My girlfriend was from the Finger Lakes in New York, and I had no idea where to go other than  to show her what REAL mountains look like. But if all else fails, drive em over to the central coast. They will appreciate being able to thaw out from NY.

The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve opens on March 14.  Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve SNR

J Paul Getty Museum - take a lunch & enjoy a picnic on the grounds too.

If you take them to Hollywood - IMO, a funtastic place to visit, be sure to eat at: Musso & Frank Grill, this place takes you all the way back to the Golden Era.

Civil War Demonstration at Fort Tejon on March 19 

Here in town: The Gaslight Melodrama Theatre & Music Hall

Have a "Get to Know My Parents" BBQ.  Invite your friends, co-workers, etc.  Play some croquet, badminton or whatever floats your boat.   

Also, you might try out some local websites that can you give ideas as well.  Or check out the Chamber of Commerce & see if anything is planned during your parents visit.

Best of Luck & sure hope your parents enjoy their time here.   

Don't forget to visit the Kern County Museum with your parents.  They will love the 16 acres of history! Black Gold: The Oil Experience is one of the finest museum exhibits on the subject in the world.  Be sure to arrive in time for a tour of the 1891 Howell House.  It's part of the low admission price, but only offered at set times of the day due to the personal attention required. If they like antiques, there are numerous great shops in town with fine prices.  The Woolworths Five & Dime Antiques still operates the historic lunch counter.  People from all over come to eat there.  Don't forget Buck Owen's Crystal Palace.  You don't even have to like Country Music to enjoy an evening there touring the exhibits, enjoying way too much food, and soaking in a truly Bakersfield experience that draws people all year to our community.  No trip to town would be complete without a stop at Dewar's and lunch or dinner at one of the great Basque restaurants in East Bakersfield.  My favorite is Noriega Hotel, because of the great building, but Woolgrowers and Pyrenees are also excellent. The Bakersfield Museum of Art and the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History are also great choices for visitors.  Hope your parents enjoy their visit!

Regardless of where you take them, try to do a little "research" on the history of the places you take them, share the information with them as you travel to and through each spot.  My mother loved when I'd share whatever history I happened to know about the different places I would take her.   

As LoveVintage wrote, one place to see is the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.  It's a wonderfully easy drive once you get out of town. Once there, you see nothing but acres and acres of beautiful flowers in bloom!  J Paul Getty Museum is another fantastic suggestion.

All the above are excellent ideas. Best detour I ever made was the Reagan Presidential Library. Hwy. #18 off the #405 (San Diego Freeway). Cheap admission, free parking, and a walk through of Air Force One--the real jet, not a mock-up. Eat lunch at a restaurant on the way. The cafeteria is cardboard food on the pricey side. The gift shop has affordable momentos--depends on how much you want to spend.