Good food to go? Check. Beautiful scenery? Check. The most relaxing day I’ve had in months? Check. Benicia’s charming, small-town feel offers an easy way to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and relax for the afternoon – especially in 2020, when every day feels more stressful than the one before it!
An undiscovered jewel of the Bay Area, Benicia is one of the safest cities in California, and it’s central enough to make for an easy day trip no matter if you’re in South Bay or Sacramento. Looking for a Bay Area day trip? Keep reading for some of my favorite spots that you do not want to miss in Benicia.
Getting to Benicia
Benicia is located at the southern end of Solano County and can be easily accessed from anywhere in the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley. Your first stop should be First Street, near the waterfront (where you’ll find the majority of your shopping and dining options). It’s just a few minutes off I-780, and there’s always plenty of free street parking, as well as parking lots off E Street and B street (the streets all have letters or numbers, so you can’t get lost).
Picnic Brunch: Start your day with fresh-baked goodies and coffee at One House Bakery
My recommendation is for you to plan for a picnic. This lets you practice safe social distancing while enjoying the breezy weather and beautiful scenic spots around town. Get food to-go from One House Bakery, which offers made-from-scratch pastries and sandwiches, and it’s run by a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef who worked at The French Laundry before striking out on her own.
- Address: 918 First St, Benicia, CA 94510
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 8 AM – 6 PM (Closed Monday & Tuesday)
Stroll through the art-centric downtown
The people in Benicia tend to be friendly, artsy, and quirky – in that order. From hand-carved store signs to public sculptures and a ton of art galleries (many offering outdoor showcases), the city is full of art and inspiration.
Also, be sure to check out Lindsay Art Glass for a unique, one-of-a-kind glass-blown piece before their retirement this fall.
Go on a public art scavenger hunt as you stroll through downtown. Beginning on First Street near J Street leading towards the waterfront, a series of mosaic tiles line the downtown sidewalks, created by Guillermo Granizo. Once you get to the waterfront behind the Tannery Building (once a real-life tannery dating back to the gold rush era), there stands a nearly seven-foot bronze sculpture of a woman holding a pelican, Neptune’s Daughter, which was donated to the city as a reminder to keep the waters healthy.
You can learn more about Benicia’s public art scene here.
Have a breezy picnic lunch in the City Park
Along First Street and Military West lies a large grassy park, completed with a romantic gazebo! Spread out a picnic blanket and enjoy a relaxing afternoon picnic filled with good conversations or self-care. If you’re with a significant other, this is the perfect place to recreate Sam Montgomery and Austin Ames’ picture-perfect moment from A Cinderella Story.
Enjoy an Afternoon Bike Ride
I found that the best way to get around Benicia is by cycling. Wheels in Motion is the best place in town for a bike rental.
The 1.5 mile Dillion Point walk/ride at the Benicia State Recreation Area circles past wildflowers and is accessible to dogs, as long as they’re on a leash. Also, make sure to check out the native flowers at the Botanical Gardens before you leave!
If you’re not into cycling, try a leisurely walk past the Waterfront with a few stops along the way. You might get lucky and spot some kite surfers, or see some cute dogs at the dog-friendly beach! At the end of this trail, grab a fresh-squeezed juice at Juice House Co.
Gold Rush-Era Buildings
Once the capital of California (1853-1854), Benicia is filled with historic buildings from the 1800s, everything from the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, to private homes and mansions, to a 200-year-old church built by shipwrights that looks like a church/boat hybrid. You probably won’t be walking inside these buildings right now, but it’s easy enough to take a cycling or driving tour through Benicia’s historic locations. More info here.
Don’t forget to take home a little piece of history with you! Bookshop Benicia (located in yet another historic building) offers a variety of books and little souvenirs for a take-home treat. If you call ahead with your literary preferences, you can even get a personalized book recommendation from Christine, the shop’s owner!
- Address: 636 First St, Benicia, CA 94510
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-5pm (Closed Mondays)
Finish your day off by the waterfront
You can’t miss seeing the sunset in Benicia, so time your stay to finish off your day trip near the waterfront to enjoy the romantic views of the sunset reflecting off the water. There are a couple of restaurants along the waterfront with outdoor dining and special social-distancing protocols in place. I recommend Bella Siena and Sailor Jack’s.
Bella Siena is not only located next to the historic Tannery building but includes panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait and fire pit seating as you enjoy an upscale Italian dinner.
- Address: 27 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
- Hours: Patio seating available
- Lunch: Monday thru Sunday 11:30am to 2:30pm
- Dinner: Monday thru Sunday 5pm to close
A local fan-favorite, Sailor Jack’s will make you feel right at home. Named for author Jack London who lived nearby and loved the area, Sailor Jack’s checks everything off the list: great food, great service, good vibes and an incredible waterfront view.
- Address: 123 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
- Hours: Open everyday 11:30am-7:00pm
For other options, here’s a listing of all the restaurants in Benicia that are open for business during COVID-19.
Bonus: Stroll down First Street’s boutiques and small businesses
There are no chain stores in Benicia, with local personalities adding to the charm and quirkiness of every storefront. Some highlights for me are:
- Christina S Fashion Destination
- Collektive Boutique
- Elisa’s Cottage
- Pink Arrows Boutique
- Romancing the Home
- Sepay Grove Olive Oil
- Zeppelin Comics
For more info and ideas to play a day trip to Benicia, check out “Escape by the Bay” website.
