Located partway between Sacramento and San Francisco, Vacaville is a leafy Bay Area city in Northern California. Originally home to the Patwin tribe, it was settled in 1842 by Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca and Juan Felipe Peña, with Peña’s adobe home still standing today.
Things to do in Vacaville
In the heart of the city is the Vacaville Museum, which houses engaging and interactive displays dedicated to the culture and history of Solano County. In the past, its exhibits have focused on the region’s fruit-growing industry and its Italian residents, as well as the poster art of Malaquias Montoya. The on-site gift shop is well stocked with history books and locally made goods.
On the southern edge of Vacaville is Jack Hume Grove, which occupies what was once the largest walnut grove in California. It’s now traversed by walking and cycling trails that take in its impressive redwood trees and native vegetation. If you’re interested in the history of the site, you can visit the house where Jack and Olivia Hume once lived, with a rare phonograph and ancient Roman artefacts among its highlights.
North of Vacaville is Lake Solano County Park, which encompasses a picturesque reservoir created by the damming of Putah Creek. It’s a popular recreational destination, with canoeing, kayaking and fly fishing all permitted. You can stretch your legs on one of the hiking trails that ring Lake Solano’s shores while keeping your eyes peeled for California quails, Nuttall’s woodpeckers and great-horned owls.
Getting around Vacaville
Vacaville is around 35 minutes’ drive from Sacramento and an hour from San Francisco. San Francisco International Airport is just over an hour away and has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Vacaville and travel throughout the city.