Our Vacaville Dashboard
Famous Vacavillians
Small Town at Heart
Vacaville perfectly blends California city life with rural charm, creating a community we're proud to call home. We have a rich agricultural heritage while thriving with modern amenities, all while keeping a deep appreciation for nature and open spaces.
Our roots go back to the 1800s, when William McDaniel established the city and named it after Juan Manuel Vaca, part of the original land grant. Over the years, we've grown from a small farming community into a dynamic city, offering a high quality of life to all who live here.
We have numerous recreational opportunities right at our fingertips. Our city parks, hiking trails and open spaces, like Lagoon Valley Park, offer hiking, biking trails, and a serene lake. For nature enthusiasts, the Jepson Prairie Preserve is a must-visit, especially in spring when the vernal pools burst with rare and endemic species.
Vacavill’s downtown area is a reflection of our cultural heritage, featuring historic buildings, local boutiques, and diverse dining options. We host various events throughout the year and the Vacaville Premium Outlets draw shoppers from across the region with a wide range of brands and stores.
Education is a cornerstone of our community, served by the Vacaville Unified School District, which includes several highly rated schools. We're also home to Solano Community College, providing degree programs and continuing education courses to our residents.
Our economy is robust and diverse, with significant employment in health care, retail and manufacturing sectors. We're also a hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical facilities, with major companies contributing to our local and regional economy.
Even as we've grown, Vacaville has maintained its small-town feel. Community events, local farmers' markets, and neighborhood gatherings are a regular part of our lives, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
Diamond Certified Companies Serving Vacaville
Diamond Certified Companies Serving Vacaville
Building Codes and Permits
Vacaville FAQs
Q: How long would it take me to drive to the beach from downtown Vacaville?
A: The nearest beach is Stinson Beach in Marin, which is typically a 90-minute or 2-hour drive away depending on traffic.
Q: When should I tell my in-laws to visit Vacaville?
A: The best time to visit Vacaville is typically during the spring and fall when the weather is mild, and outdoor activities are abundant.
Q: What kind of transportation should my out-of-town relatives expect to use?
A: Vacaville offers public transportation options, including buses operated by the Vacaville City Coach service, making it convenient to navigate the city and its surrounding areas.
Q: What are the best areas for out-of-towners to explore?
A: Some of the best areas to explore in Vacaville include the historic downtown district, Lagoon Valley Park, and nearby scenic spots like Lake Berryessa and the Cache Creek Wilderness.
Q: What kind of family-friendly activities can I do with my visiting nieces and nephews?
A: Families visiting Vacaville can enjoy attractions such as Nut Tree Family Park, the Vacaville Museum, and various outdoor recreational areas perfect for picnics and hiking.
Diamond Certified Expert Contributors
Serving Our Vacaville Area
Gary Kluck
Chairman/CEO, Quality First Home Improvement, Inc.
How to Prevent Concrete Cracks
When cracks form in newly installed concrete, it’s often the result of accelerated drying from hot temperatures and sun exposure. Since the problem stems from a lack of moisture, the best way to prevent cracking is to apply a liberal amount of water both before and after setting the concrete.
David Cook
President, Cook's Kitchen & Bath, Inc.
Bathroom Exhaust Fans
California building code requires any new or remodeled bathroom to have an exhaust fan, but simply having one isn’t enough—it also needs to be correctly sized. Determining the right fan size requires some calculation: aim for an airflow rate of 1 cubic foot per minute for each square foot of bathroom.
Scott Bell
Officer, Bell Pest Control
Eliminating Pest Entry Points
Inspect your home exterior and locate any gaps or openings that could serve as pest entry points. Here’s a general rule: If the opening is as big as a pinky finger, a mouse can get in; if the opening is as big as a thumb, a rat can get in. Sealing these openings will help keep pests out of your home.
Richard Hiteshew
Owner, A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc.
Investing in Electric Appliances
In light of California’s energy goals, the price of natural gas is likely to skyrocket in the coming years. For this reason, instead of investing in gas-powered appliances, consider going all-electric. Today, there are high-efficiency electric heat pump systems that use a fraction of the energy that older systems used.
Our Vacaville Glossary
Nut Tree
Once a simple roadside fruit stand, Nut Tree grew into a large complex featuring a restaurant, retail stores, and an amusement park, becoming a landmark destination for travelers in Northern California. Though it has evolved over time, the Nut Tree Plaza continues to be a major retail and dining area in Vacaville.
Vacaville Premium Outlets
A major shopping destination in the region offering a wide array of high-end and mainstream retail stores.
Jelly Belly Factory
This Fairfield factory is famous for producing Jelly Belly jellybeans and offers tours that draw visitors from Vacaville and beyond.
Vaca Mountains
The mountain range to the north of Vacaville, providing a scenic backdrop to the city and opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife observation.
Lagoon Valley Park
A popular recreational area in Vacaville known for its hiking trails, disc golf course, dog park, and lagoon.
Vacaville Fiesta Days
An annual festival celebrating Vacaville’s heritage and community spirit with a parade, carnival, live music, and various family-friendly activities.
Travis Air Force Base
While technically located in Fairfield, Travis AFB has a significant impact on Vacaville’s community and economy, with many military personnel and their families residing in Vacaville.
Vacaville Museum
A cultural and historical museum that focuses on the history and heritage of Vacaville and Solano County, offering exhibits and educational programs.
The Peña Adobe Historical Park
One of the oldest structures in Solano County, the Peña Adobe is a remnant of the Vaca-Peña Los Putos Rancho and serves as a historical park, offering insights into the early Californian lifestyle and the area's history.
Vacaville's Perennial Events
Bunnies and Bonnets
This family event takes place in Andrews Park and features activities such as egg hunts, a petting zoo, sack races, and bubbles. Attendees are encouraged to bring a basket to collect eggs and a camera to take pictures with Miss Bunny Bonnet.
Fiesta Days
This four-day fiesta takes place every Memorial Day weekend. The event features a parade, carnival, live music, and more. The Fiesta Days parade begins at Merchant Street near Mason Street and ends at South Orchard Street.
4th of July Celebration
This family-friendly event starts at 6:30pm on the 4th of July. The event features live music, dancing, food, drinks, and a fireworks display above Andrews Park.
Halloween Stroll
This an annual event takes place in Downtown Vacaville every October 31. The event features trick-or-treating at over 45 merchants, games, music, and more. The first 1,000 families to visit the Downtown Vacaville Booth in Town Square receive a free, reusable trick-or-treating bag.
Vacaville Festival Of Trees
This is an annual charity event benefiting Opportunity House. The festival is a local start of the holiday season and takes place from November 7 to December 13. It features a variety of decorated trees that are auctioned off to raise funds for the charity.
Vacaville Maps
Vacaville was founded in 1851, and today, your 108,772 neighbors enjoy art shopping, comedy shows, reading, scuba diving and live music.
ZIP Codes Within Vacaville City
- 95687, 95688, 95696
Diamond Certified Preferred Members In Vacaville
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We invite you to join us and get your always-free membership now.
Featured Vacaville Links
Groups and Clubs Serving
Vacaville
Vacaville Heritage Council
The Vacaville Heritage Council is a nonprofit historical archives and research organization. They are located on the main floor of the Old Town Hall in Vacaville. They work extensively with historical documents, maps, and photographs, which they carefully photograph and archive for non-commercial public use.
BrokeTail Rescue
This team of volunteers is committed to helping sick, injured, pregnant and elderly animals in Vacaville. They take action to help these animals heal so they can be adopted into loving homes.
Vacaville Storehouse
The Vacaville Storehouse is a food distribution center for Vacaville families in need. Food is given free of charge. New clients are required to fill out an application and provide verification of residency in Vacaville.
Vacaville United Soccer Club
Vacaville United has grown into a top soccer program that is recognized locally and regionally. VUSC offers programs including recreational, competitive, positional training, identification programs, juniors programs, and college pathways.
Religious Organizations
Serving Vacaville
Vacaville Islamic Center
The Islamic Center of Vacaville is a Sunni mosque that provides separate prayer spaces for women and offers a range of services, including daily prayers, Jumu’ah prayers, and weekend school for kids.
Chabad of Solano County
Chabad is a Jewish cultural center that offers holiday programs, classes, and a Shabbat meal. They are located at 730 E Main Street.
Christian Church of Vacaville
This church offers services on Sundays and also Wednesday evenings during the summer. They host two AA meetings a week and their facilities can be rented.
Live on Purpose Community Church
This multicultural, ethnically diverse church offers Sunday services and also meet in homes for table talks.
Social Vacaville
Local Websites We Love
Oldest Vacaville
Businesses
The Reporter
(Founded in 1883)
Pietro’s
(Founded in 1957)
Vacaville Heritage Council
(Founded in 1968)
Vacaville United Soccer Club
(Founded in 1990)
Burger City
(Founded in 1997)
Popular Spots!
Vacaville Premium Outlets
This outdoor shopping property features stores like J.Crew, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Nike. As one of the area’s largest shopping destinations, Vacaville Premium Outlets serves the nearby communities of San Francisco, Napa Valley, and Sacramento.
Lagoon Valley Park
This 306-acre park is home to a wide variety of outdoor entertainment located by Lagoon Lake, a 100-acre lake. There are walking paths and miles of multiuse hiking, equestrian, and biking trails.
Vacaville Museum
The Vacaville Museum is the only institution whose mission includes cultural and historical preservation for all of Solano County. Through exhibits, publications, and educational programs, the museum continuously promotes the value of community connectivity.
Thirty Six Oaks Country Retreat
Nestled in a grove of oak trees on Gibson Canyon Road, Thirty Six Oaks is a getaway retreat in the Vacaville countryside. It is a cottage setting on two and a half acres with wildlife on all sides.
Restaurants We Love
Rice Barn Thai
Rice Barn Thai specializes in bringing Thai cuisine to Vacaville. They offer a wide range of dishes, including traditional Thai favorites like soups and curries.
Clay Oven Bar & Grill
Clay Oven Bar & Grill is an Indian restaurant known for its authentic flavors and diverse menu. They offer a variety of dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options.
BackDoor Bistro
BackDoor Bistro prides itself on using locally sourced, organic and sustainable ingredients. Their menu changes seasonally for a true farm-to-table experience.
Burger City
A family-owned establishment, Burger City has been serving the Vacaville community since 1997. They are known for their 100% U.S.D.A. choice beef burgers, which are made to order.