The presence of Basques in California dates back four centuries.
Basque explorers arrived in what is now California in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Many of Bakersfield's oldest and most historic restaurants are Basque,[2] including Woolgrowers, Noriega's, Pyrenees, Benji's, and Narducci's.
[3] This three-day festival features food, music, dance, and handball (pelota) games.
Explorer Juan Bautista de Anza was of Basque heritage.