4/21 Kohnen's German Bakery in Tehachapi, CA

Thousands of people each day drive on Route 58 from Bakersfield, CA, to Barstow, CA, and on to Las Vegas, but they never stop at this terrific little town.  They are missing a lot because Tehachapi is at the top of a mountain pass and has terrific views, plus it has a famous railroad "loop" where the trains circle around a mountain and pass themselves.  It also has a small campground I often stay at that is along a glider airport, so you can camp there and watch gliders take off and land, assuming the weather is right.

But most importantly, Tehachapi has a terrific bakery that has made its old main street hopping with locals and tourists enjoying the cafe and its wide selection of baked good. Only problem is that you really need to get there before 10 or 11 am, or they will be out of some things.  On this trip, they were out of my favorite almond pastries, but I did get several almond crossants and a cheesecake, plus a loaf of bread!   

Here are some photos of the bakery I took with my cell phone that will whet your appetite and encourage you to stop there next time you are tempted to drive by.  (Note, you can't miss this place--just look for all the traffic and parked cars!)  

Line up on the left to write out your cafe order or to select your pastries and bread to take home. 

 

 

The line starts with the bread selection and some German foods. 

 

 

 Next few photos show you what was available when I stopped by around noon.

 

 

Checkout and some drinks.  

 

 

You can eat inside in this large area with tables or outside, shown after these two photos. 

 

 

Nice porch eating area when the weather is nice. 

I have found that many of their pastries freeze well, so I usually stock up when I stop here. 

Also, note that the bakery is closed on a couple of days each week, plus two weeks around Christmas, so check to make sure they are open when you want to stop by to save yourself a trip if you are just coming for the bakery.