BAKERSFIELD ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
Along the Kern River: A Hands‑On Hunt for 15–16 Million‑Year‑Old Shark Teeth
At the Okihi Fossil Field Station in Bakersfield, guided small‑group sessions teach you to find, wash, and identify genuine marine fossils from the ancient Temblor Sea—this guide explains what to expect and how to make the most of a three‑hour discovery.
Along the Kern River: A Hands‑On Hunt for 15–16 Million‑Year‑Old Shark Teeth.
Set on a quiet stretch of the Kern River, the Fossil Discovery Experience at Okihi Fossil Field Station is an intentionally uncrowded, small‑group program that puts curated, fossil‑bearing material under your hands. Over a focused session you’ll learn a refined discovery process—washing, screening and identifying real pieces of marine life from the ancient Temblor Sea—backed by expert guidance so guests routinely leave with authentic finds.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Small groups, focused work
Visits are intentionally limited and guided by staff to create a calm, uncrowded environment: you’ll be assigned to a private or small‑group fossil station where the process is led for you.
A structured washing and screening system
Okihi uses a custom‑designed washing and screening workflow so guests can systematically wash, sort and recognize fossil material—an approach intended to produce real results rather than a random surface search.
Real marine fossils—often shark teeth
Curated fossil material from the site consistently yields 15–16 million‑year‑old marine remains, including shark teeth and other sea life, and guests are allowed to keep what they uncover.
What the day feels like
What the three‑hour session feels like
The experience is quiet, focused and deliberately uncrowded: after checking in at the Okihi Welcome Center and a brief safety overview, staff guide small groups to prepared riverside stations where you’ll learn a hands‑on discovery sequence—wash, screen, sort, then identify fossils from 15–16 million‑year‑old material sourced from the ancient Temblor Sea. Throughout, expert staff assist with identification and context, and there are opportunities for photos and to keep the specimens you find.
THE FORMAT
Small groups, focused work
Visits are intentionally limited and guided by staff to create a calm, uncrowded environment: you’ll be assigned to a private or small‑group fossil station where the process is led for you.
THE PROCESS
A structured washing and screening system
Okihi uses a custom‑designed washing and screening workflow so guests can systematically wash, sort and recognize fossil material—an approach intended to produce real results rather than a random surface search.
THE FINDS
Real marine fossils—often shark teeth
Curated fossil material from the site consistently yields 15–16 million‑year‑old marine remains, including shark teeth and other sea life, and guests are allowed to keep what they uncover.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The Fossil Discovery Experience is a three‑hour program.
Check‑in is at the Okihi Welcome Center, where you’ll receive the safety briefing and overview before being guided to your discovery station.
There are plentiful opportunities for photos and guests take home fossils they find; follow operator guidance about footwear and clothing for a riverside, hands‑on activity and bring a camera if you want to document finds.
The site uses curated fossil‑bearing material and a structured screening process so guests regularly leave with real fossils, including shark teeth and other marine remains.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Fossil Discovery Experience?
The experience lasts three hours.
Can I keep the fossils I find?
Yes—guests take home the fossils they uncover during the session.
What age is this suitable for?
The program is listed as suitable for all ages and runs in an intentionally limited, small‑group format.
Is this an open public dig site?
No—this is not a public dig site; visits are private, carefully guided and intentionally limited.
What kinds of fossils will I likely find?
Participants search through 15–16 million‑year‑old material from the ancient Temblor Sea and commonly recover marine fossils, including shark teeth.
Will staff help identify what I uncover?
Yes—staff provide hands‑on guidance to help recognize and understand finds throughout the discovery process.