Overview
Buttonwillow is a small town on Interstate 5 in Kern County in the San Joaquin Valley of California.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Buttonwillow
Buttonwillow Tree
The buttonwillow tree (from which the town takes its name) is a California State Landmark. The tree, which sat alone in the broad valley, was a meeting point for cowboys herding cattle in the area.
Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Feb–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Mar.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BFL Meadows Field, Bakersfield — 22 mi away. Directions
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 67 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 96 mi away (major hub). Directions
Buttonwillow is located along Interstate 5 at the exit for Highway 58. There are a number of motels and eateries immediately to the east of the Interstate that claim to be in Buttonwillow. Buttonwillow proper is located about 4.5 miles to the west of the Interstate on Highway 58.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Buttonwillow Tree
- Lunch Tita's Pupuseria
- Afternoon Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
Buttonwillow is located along Interstate 5 at the exit for Highway 58. There are a number of motels and eateries immediately to the east of the Interstate that claim to be in Buttonwillow. Buttonwillow proper is located about 4.5 miles to the west of the Interstate on Highway 58.
See
See Buttonwillow Tree
The buttonwillow tree (from which the town takes its name) is a California State Landmark. The tree, which sat alone in the broad valley, was a meeting point for cowboys herding cattle in the area.
Do
Eat
Eat Tita's Pupuseria
Salvadoran, Mexican, and American food. Incomparably good corn tortillas, freshly made with each meal.
Sleep
Stay Buena Vista Motel
Stay Homeland Inn
Go next
- Bakersfield - East of Buttonwillow on Highway 58. Nicknamed "the country music capital of the West Coast", Bakersfield is the largest city in the southern San Joaquin Valley and is thus the best option for those seeking lodging, transportation, or other services.
- McKittrick - An oil & gas town located southwest of Buttonwillow on Highway 58 that is home to the McKittrick Brea Pit, a tar pit that was the site of a huge cache of prehistoric fossils.
- Taft - An oil town located south of Buttonwillow that offers food, gas, and lodging services. Taft is also home to the West Kern Oil Museum and a replica of Sutter's fort that was built in 1940 as a Depression-era project.
- Wasco - Located northeast of Buttonwillow, Wasco is known as the city of roses, with 55% of all roses grown in the USA grown in and around Wasco. Its annual spring Rose Festival attracts visitors from all over southern California.
- Lost Hills - Northwest of Buttonwillow on I-5, this town will be of most interest to travelers on the interstate who need fuel, food or other services.
- The Grapevine - The Grapevine is a corridor along I-5 that is home to the outlets at Tejon and a slew of traveler-focused restaurants and hotels for the thousands of cars traveling on the interstate.
- Tule Elk State Natural Reserve - Located about twelve miles southeast of Buttonwillow, this reserve is home to a herd of about forty tule elk, a species native to California that was nearly wiped out in the 19th century.
Nearby
McKittrick
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Wasco
City / town · 5 listings · 14 mi away
Taft
City / town · 12 listings · 20 mi away
Lost Hills
City / town · 2 listings · 20 mi away
McFarland
City / town · 3 listings · 22 mi away
Bakersfield
City / town · 39 listings · 24 mi away
Maricopa
City / town · 6 listings · 24 mi away
Carrizo Plain National Monument
Park · 6 listings · 26 mi away
My experience
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