The quake hit at 6:42 p.m. about eight miles west of the Kern County desert community.
A USGS map indicates shaking was felt in Lancaster and Palmdale, Edwards Air Force Base, Tehachapi, California City and some communities to the southeast of Bakersfield.
There were no reports of damages.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said the quake occurred near or on the Garlock fault, "one of the longest and fastest faults in California," but she noted the area is lightly populated.