Discover Benicia

Its status as a former state capital is part of California lore, but Benicia was also once destined to be called Francisca until Yerba Buena changed its name to San Francisco and the similarity spurred the town’s founder to select another name.

Robert Semple had wanted in 1847 to name the town after Gen. Mariano

Vallejo’s wife, Francisca Maria Felipa

Benicia Carrillo de Vallejo, and he still did. Semple just choose another of her many names.

The town’s residential and business districts are on its west side with a vibrant waterfront as well as the Benicia

State Recreation Area along Southhampton Bay.

Benicia is home to events that range from Arts Benicia and the Benicia Peddlers Fair to The Holy Ghost Parade and the July 3 Torchlight Parade.

Its industrial side includes the Port of Benicia and the town’s largest employer, the Valero Oil Refinery, with its tanks, pipes and stacks that sprawl across a large area alongside Interstate 680.

The town could have been the center of California politics when the state in 1853 declared Benicia as its capital after deciding they were dissatisfied with Vallejo in that role. Lawmakers took over the Benicia City Hall, with its Doric columns and appearance of a Greek temple.

“So Benicia, the memorable ‘city of the Straits,’ ‘the rival emporium of the Pacific wealth and commerce,’ is to be vested with new dignities . . .” the Feb. 5, 1853, Daily Alta Californian reported.

The state Legislature met again in Benicia in 1854. It voted to make Benicia the permanent state capital. Then lawmakers quickly changed their minds when 100 people coming to the session couldn’t find lodgings and had to sleep in saloons. They moved the capital to Sacramento.

Another historical site is the Benicia Arsenal, built in 1849 as an ordnance supply depot. William Tecumseh Sherman and Ulysses S. Grant spent time there prior to going on to Civil War fame. Sherman became an admirer of the town.

“That Benicia has the best natural site for a commercial city, I am satisfied, and had half the money and half the labor since bestowed upon San Francisco been expended at Benicia, we should have at this day a city of palaces along the Carquinez Strait,” he wrote in his memoirs.

The arsenal also stabled the U.S. Army’s only Camel Corps that was disbanded in 1863. The Camel Barns, built in 1855, now house the Benicia Historical Museum. Union troops from the West gathered at the arsenal during

the Civil War.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 125 truck convoys were loaded at the arsenal. A total of 250 Italian and 400 German prisoners of war once resided at the arsenal.

Benicia was almost economically shattered in the 1960s when the arsenal closed, removing its economic foundation, but recreation of the arsenal land as a successful industrial park that now contains the Valero refinery helped save the town’s economy.

The city is home to a thriving art community, many who live in the historic arsenal area, which dates back to 1849. The Clock Tower Fortress, also in the arsenal, built in 1859, is open for many community functions.

Spend the day, see some sights

DOWNTOWN BENICIA

Downtown Benicia offers myriad festivals and events for all ages. The spring and summer seasons offer plenty of seasonal activities, from a farmers market to wine- and foodtasting activities to various community celebrations and more. MORE INFORMATION: 707-745-9791, www.beniciamainstreet.org

BENICIA STATE RECREATION AREA

BENICIA STATE RECREATION AREA

The shores of Southampton Bay are home to one of Solano County’s few state parks. People come to Benicia State Recreation Area to walk, run, cycle, birdwatch and fish. The state lists the Dillon’s Point marsh as an area in the park particularly favored by anglers. A few motorhome campsites are available, though no tent campsites. It has 2.5 miles of roads and paths. Benicia State Park is also home to the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden. The only other Solano County state park is Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, though the county does have state wildlife refuges. LOCATION: Columbus Parkway exit from Interstate 780 in Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-648-1911, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=476

BENICIA CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC PARK

Benicia briefly served as California’s capital 150 years ago. Benicia Capitol State Historic Park commemorates the era of 1853 to 1854. The old capitol building remains and is open to visitors. Vallejo was the state capital before Benicia, but Gen. Mariano Vallejo failed to provide the promised buildings and lawmakers moved it. Benicia has a Greek temple-style capitol building, but this too failed to convince state lawmakers to stay in Solano County. Sacramento became the capital in March 1854. The Benicia Capitol building over the years served as a fire station, police station and even a dance hall. The Benicia Capitol is the only pre-Sacramento capitol building that remains. LOCATION: 115 W. G St., Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-745-3385, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=475

BENICIA MARINA

Located between the Sacramento River Delta and San Francisco Bay, the Benicia Marina is a jewel located on the north side of the Carquinez Strait, with spectacular views from every slip in the harbor. It offers guest berthing, power, water and a safe environment. It is also only a short walk away from downtown Benicia’s charming First Street and its shops as well as walking and bike trails. Guest boats must check in at the marina office for berth assignments. Call in advance for the availability of either transient or overnight berthing. LOCATION: 266 E. B St., Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-745-2628, www.benicia marina.net

BENICIA MAIN STREET

EXPERIENCE DOWNTOWN BENICIA

Make Benicia Main Street your first stop when exploring the scenic town of Benicia. The Downtown visitor center is located in the historic train depot at the foot of First Street. You’ll find lots of information, gifts, and souvenirs. Then explore the shops, restaurants, spas, historical sites and artful whimsy that line the 12 blocks of First Street. We’re located at 90 First Street, on the waterfront.

“A GREAT DAY BY THE BAY”

For More Information Visit Our Website www.beniciamainstreet.org or call us at (707) 745-9791.

BENICIA FIRE MUSEUM

BENICIA FIRE MUSEUM

Lovers of antique fire equipment can see what is believed to be the first fire engine to arrive in California – the Phoenix Engine – at the Benicia Fire Museum. The engine dates back to the 1820s and is owned by the Benicia Volunteer Firemen. The museum is also home to the Solano Engine, the first engine owned by the volunteer firemen. The Benicia Fire Museum houses many treasures of fire service equipment and hundreds of related items. Admission is free. Donations are accepted. LOCATION: 900 E. Second St., Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-745-1688, www.beniciafiremuseum.org

BENICIA PLEIN AIR GALLERY

The Benicia Plein Air Gallery specializes in the work of local artists who capture the outdoor scenes in and around Benicia, the Carquinez Straits and the San Francisco Bay Area. Each month, the open-air gallery showcases the works of one of its many artists, with creations that range from classical landscapes to saturated pastels. The 5th Annual Paint Out event planned in August 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic and has not yet returned. The gallery responded by producing a brief video called “Painting en plein air in the time of Covid,” which may be viewed at the gallery’s website. LOCATION: 307 First St., Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-297-5903, www.beniciapleinair.com

SEPAY GROVES OLIVE OIL IN BENICIA

Sepay Groves Olive Oil, the oldest olive oil store in Solano County, offers an expansive variety of award-winning extra virgin and flavored olive oils and serves as an outlet store for the oldest operating olive oil producer in Suisun Valley, who arguably produces the best Tuscan extra virgin olive oil in Northern California. All oils and vinegars are bottled by hand in small batches to maintain their integrity, with the oils sold in their first year of life. BENICIA PLEIN AIR GALLERY

LOCATION: 364 First St., Benicia MORE INFORMATION: 707-434-8222, www.sepayoliveoil.com

BENICIA CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Farmers Market: Benicia Main Street draws many people to its popular farmers market, now in its 30th year. The market offers fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, gourmet food, delicious hot foods, arts and crafts, live entertainment and face painting from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, through Aug. 25; 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 1 to Oct. 27.

Independence Day Celebration: Benicia’s Torchlight Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. July 3 along First Street and includes dancers, floats, clowns and entertainment. The city’s Picnic in the Park starts at noon July 4 at City Park is filled with arts and crafts, delicious hot food, live entertainment and children’s activities. Fireworks start at approximately 9 p.m. at the foot of First Street. Info: 707-745-9791, www.beniciamainstreet.org.

BENICIA WATERFRONT FESTIVAL

Mass, food, auction, dance, dinner. Info.: http://beniciaholyghost.org/bdes-festa/.

Benicia Waterfront Festival: Benicia celebrates its picturesque waterfront locale with two days of live music, craft beer tastings, tasty foods, vendor village, and a children’s activity area from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 30-31 at the First Street Green, corner of 1st and East B streets. Info: 707-745-9791, www.beniciamainstreet.org.

Taste of First Street: Downtown brings a sampling of the cuisine you can find from Benicia’s favorite restaurants on First Street with two glasses of wine and souvenir glass included. Event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 23. Info: 707-745-9791, www.beniciamainstreet.org.