Are you looking for fun things to do in Vacaville. Vacaville, California, is a charming city located in the heart of Solano County, just an hour’s drive northeast of San Francisco. With a mix of rural and suburban landscapes, Vacaville is an excellent destination for travellers who are looking for a wide range of activities and attractions.
From outdoor adventures to shopping and dining, historical landmarks to family-friendly fun, there’s something for everyone in Vacaville. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the top things to do in Vacaville and why this city should be on your travel list. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, there’s always something new to discover in Vacaville.
Where is Vacaville Located?
Vacaville is a city located in Solano County, California, situated in the northern part of the state. The city is located between San Francisco and Sacramento, making it a convenient stop for travellers along the I-80 corridor.
With a population of over 100,000, Vacaville is a bustling city that offers a mix of suburban and rural landscapes. Its location makes it an ideal destination for those looking for a getaway from the busy city life or for those who want to explore the beautiful outdoors of Northern California.
199+ Fun & Interesting Things To Do In Vacaville In 2023
Here are 199+ fun and interesting things to do in Vacaville, categorised by activity:
Outdoor Activities:
- Hike the Vacaville Hills Trail
- Walk along the trails at Lagoon Valley Park
- Visit the Pena Adobe Regional Park
- Explore the Rockville Hills Regional Park
- Go camping at the Lake Solano Park
- Take a hot air balloon ride with Napa Valley Balloons
- Go fishing at the Lake Berryessa
- Ride a horse at the Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
- Play disc golf at the Skyline Wilderness Park
- Rent a kayak at Lake Solano and paddle around
Shopping and Dining:
- Visit the Vacaville Premium Outlets for discounted shopping
- Check out the local farmers market
- Dine at the BackDoor Bistro for brunch
- Taste wine at the Pescatore Vineyard and Winery
- Try the burgers at In-N-Out Burger
- Shop at Nut Tree Plaza
- Have breakfast at Wren’s Café
- Try the pizza at Uncle Vito’s Slice of NY
- Visit the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour and candy shopping
- Try the food trucks at the Food Truck Mania event
Historical and Cultural Attractions:
- Explore the Vacaville Museum and learn about the history of the area
- Visit the historic downtown district
- Tour the Nut Tree Airport Museum
- See the historic Pena Adobe
- Explore the historic Vaca Adobe
- Visit the C.V. Starr Community Center and view local art
- Take a walking tour of downtown Vacaville
- Check out the annual Vacaville Fiesta Days
- Visit the Vacaville Art League and Gallery
Family-Friendly Activities:
- Take the kids to the Nut Tree Family Park for rides and games
- Visit the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County for interactive exhibits
- Play mini-golf at Scandia Family Fun Center
- Go bowling at Stars Recreation Center
- Have a picnic at Andrews Park
- Go ice skating at the Vacaville Ice Sports rink
- Visit the Western Railway Museum
- Have fun at the Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park
- Take a tour of the Travis Air Force Base
- Check out the animals at the Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Petting Zoo
Arts and Entertainment
- Watch a movie at the Brenden Theatres
- See a play at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre
- Enjoy live music at The Palms Playhouse
- Watch a movie under the stars at the Creekwalk Movie Nights
- Attend a comedy show at the Empress Theatre
- Enjoy a concert at the Vaca Village Shopping Center
- Take a pottery class at the Clayground Studio and Gallery
- Participate in a paint and sip class at the Painted Cellars
- Take a dance class at the Jazz N’ Taps Dance Studio
- Attend a poetry reading at the Vacaville Poetry Group
- Learn to play an instrument at the Vacaville Music Academy
Sports and Fitness
- Go for a run on the Vacaville Cross Country Trail
- Take a yoga class at the Vacaville Yoga Center
- Lift weights at the Vacaville Fitness Center
- Play tennis at the Solano Community College Tennis Courts
- Swim at the McBride Swim Center
- Take a spin class at CycleLife Studio
- Attend a martial arts class at the Vacaville
Nightlife:
- Have a drink at the Brass Tap
- Listen to live music at the Town Square Tavern
- Try a craft beer at the Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company
- Have a cocktail at the Crush Lounge
- Play billiards at Break Room Billiards
Nature and Wildlife:
- Go bird watching at the Jepson Prairie Preserve
- Visit the University of California, Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.
- See the animals at the Suisun Wildlife Center
- Explore the Rush Ranch Open Space
- Go bird watching at the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
- Take a scenic drive on the Lake Berryessa Napa Valley Scenic Byway
- Go on a nature walk at the Rush Ranch Nature Center
Wellness and Relaxation:
- Get a massage at the Visions Day Spa
- Take a yoga class at Yoga Core Fit
- Visit the Salt Cave Solana for halotherapy
- Get a facial at the Pure Beauty Skin Care and Medical Spa
- Take a pilates class at Club Pilates
- Get a pedicure at the Prestige Nails and Spa
- Enjoy a sauna session at The Grotto
Education
- Take a cooking class at The Good Life Grocery
- Attend a workshop at the Vacaville Public Library
- Visit the Solano Community College Art Gallery
- Attend a lecture at the University of California, Davis
- Take a photography class at the Vacaville Camera Club
Festivals and Events:
- Attend the Vacaville Fiesta Days Parade
- Enjoy the Vacaville Art, Wine, and Brew Fest
- Attend the Vacaville Farmers Market
- Celebrate Independence Day at the Vacaville Fourth of July Fireworks show
- Attend the Solano County Fair
Tours:
- Take a guided tour of the Jelly Belly Factory
- Take a walking tour of historic downtown Vacaville
- Go on a wine tasting tour of the Suisun Valley Wine Region
- Take a guided tour of the Nut Tree Plaza
- Take a scenic drive through the Napa Valley wine country
Adventures:
- Go skydiving at the SkyDance Skydiving center
- Take a hot air balloon ride over the Napa Valley
- Go bungee jumping at the West Coast Bungee Jumping center
- Go on a zip line adventure at the Sonoma Canopy Tours
- Tour the San Francisco Bay Area by helicopter.
Golf
- Play a round of golf at the Green Tree Golf Club
- Visit the Cypress Lakes Golf Course
- Take a lesson at the Paradise Valley Golf Course
- Enjoy a day at the Wildhorse Golf Club
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Cultural Experiences
- Learn about the local culture at the Solano County Cultural Heritage Association
- Take a dance class at the Ballet Company of East County
- Attend a poetry reading at the Solano County Poetry Society
- Visit the African-American Museum and Cultural Center
- Attend a cooking class at the community centre.
Sightseeing
- Visit the Lake Berryessa Dam
- Go on a scenic drive through the Suisun Valley
- See the historic downtown district
- See the antique airport tower at Nut Tree Plaza.
- Check out the Nut Tree Observation Deck
Day Trips
- Visit San Francisco for a day
- Explore the Napa Valley wine country
- Ski at Lake Tahoe for the day.
- Visit Sacramento for the day
Shopping
- Go shopping at the Vacaville Premium Outlets
- Browse the boutiques in downtown Vacaville
- For one-of-a-kind discoveries, go to the local flea market.
- Explore the shops at the Nut Tree Plaza
- Visit the Solano Town Center Mall
Sports and Fitness
- Play a game of tennis at the Alamo Creek Park
- Take a fitness class at the Vacaville Fitness Club
- Go rock climbing at Rockzilla
- Go for a hike at the Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Regional Park
- Play a round of disc golf at the Lagoon Valley Disc Golf Course
Art and Culture
- Visit the Vacaville Art Gallery
- Attend a performance at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre
- Explore the Vacaville Museum
- Attend a concert at the Brenden Theatre
- Take an art class at the Vacaville Art League and Gallery
Food and Drink
- Have brunch at the Cafe Palazzo
- Try the BBQ at the Buckhorn Grill
- Have sushi at the Mikuni Sushi
- Try the pizza at Fuso Italian Restaurant
- Have a burger at the Habit Burger Grill
Family Fun
- Visit the Nut Tree Family Park
- Go bowling at Stars Recreation Center
- Visit the Scandia Family Fun Center
- Go ice skating at the Vacaville Ice Sports
- Visit the Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Regional Park for a picnic and hike
Religious Sites
- Visit the St. Mary’s Catholic Church
- Attend a service at the Trinity Baptist Church
- Visit the Community Presbyterian Church
- Visit the Islamic Center of Vacaville
- Visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Local History
- Visit the Old Town Hall Museum
- Explore the Vacaville Historic Society Museum
- Visit the Pena Adobe and Lagoon Valley Park
- Visit the Jepson Memorial Grove
- Tour the Vacaville Heritage Council’s Victorian home
Outdoor Activities
- Go fishing at Lake Solano Park
- Visit the Mankas Corner Antiques and Collectibles
- Explore the Rockville Hills Regional Park
- Go kayaking at Lake Berryessa
- Visit the Putah Creek Trout Fly Fishing Guide Service
Entertainment
- Watch a movie at the Brenden Theatre
- Go to a comedy show at the Vacaville Comedy Club
- Attend a concert at the Creekwalk Plaza
- Play mini golf at the Nut Tree Family Park
- Go to a live theatre performance at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre
Hidden Gems
- Visit the Favela’s Fusion restaurant for unique Brazilian dishes
- Explore the murals and street art in downtown Vacaville
- Go wine tasting at the Wooden Valley Winery
- Visit the Jepson Prairie Reserve for a unique natural experience
- Check out the antiques at Main Street Antiques and Collectibles
Haunted Places
- Visit the historical haunted Vaca Dixon Cemetery
- Explore the ghostly Mankas Corner
- Visit the creepily named Pena Cemetery
- Visit the Hotel Winters for rumored hauntings
- Take a ghost tour of historic downtown Vacaville
Artisanal and Craft
- Take a pottery class at the Vacaville Pottery School
- Visit the Pacific Flyway Gallery for local art
- Take a glassblowing class at the Ankh Studio
- Visit the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento
Nature and Wildlife
- Visit the Rush Ranch Nature Center
- Go birdwatching at the Jepson Prairie Preserve
- Visit the University of California, Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.
- Go horseback riding at Lagoon Valley Equestrian Center
- Take a wildlife tour at Safari West in Santa Rosa
Local Festivals and Events
- Attend the Fiesta Days Parade and Festival
- Visit the Solano County Fair
- Attend the Merriment on Main Holiday Celebration
- Check out the Downtown Summer Stroll
- Attend the Vacaville Farmers Market
Educational
- In Santa Rosa, go to the Pacific Coast Air Museum.
- Take a tour of the UC Davis Campus
- The Travis Air Force Base Heritage Centre is a must-see.
- Learn about agriculture at the Yolo County Farm Bureau Agriculture Museum
- Visit the Explorit Science Center in Davis
Wineries and Breweries
- Go wine tasting at the Tenbrink Vineyards and Winery
- Visit the Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company for an olive oil tasting
- Try the craft beer at the Armadillo Music Cafe
- Go wine tasting at the Wooden Valley Winery
- Visit the Blue Victorian Winery for a unique tasting experience
Seasonal Activities
- Go pumpkin picking at the Impossible Acres Pumpkin Patch
- Visit the Christmas Tree Farm during the holiday season
- Go apple picking at the Monticello Orchard
- Visit the Lavender Festival at the Matanzas Creek Winery
- Go skiing or snowboarding at the nearby Lake Tahoe ski resorts during winter months.
Arts and Culture
- Visit the Vacaville Art Gallery for local art exhibits
- Attend a concert at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre
- Take a pottery class at Clayground in Vacaville
- Visit the Vacaville Museum to learn about local history
- Attend the Vacaville Ballet Company’s annual Nutcracker performance
Sports and Recreation
- Play a round of golf at the Green Tree Golf Club
- Go bowling at Stars Recreation Center
- Play a game of laser tag at the Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park
- Go ice skating at the Vacaville Ice Sports centre
- Take a fitness class at the Vacaville Fitness 24/7 gym
Shopping
- Browse the shops at the Vacaville Premium Outlets
- Visit the Nut Tree Plaza for shopping and dining
- Check out the antique stores in downtown Vacaville
- Shop for local produce at the Dixon Farmers Market
- Visit the Davis Farmers Market for fresh produce and artisanal goods
Food and Drink
- Try the famous Nut Tree pecan pie at the Nut Tree Plaza
- Enjoy sushi at Fuji Sushi & Teriyaki
- Visit the Old Town Cafe for a classic diner experience
- Try the BBQ at Buckhorn Grill
- Savour Italian food at Pietro’s No. 1 in Vacaville
Nightlife
- Listen to live music at the City Sports Bar and Grill
- Watch a movie at the Brenden Theatre
- Play games at Dave & Buster’s
- Try the cocktails at the Junction Brewery and Grill
- Visit the Blue Note Napa for live jazz and blues music.
That’s a wrap! These 223 things to do in Vacaville in 2023 should give you plenty of options to keep you entertained and engaged throughout the year.
Plan Your Trip To Vacaville
Planning your trip to Vacaville is easy with a variety of activities and attractions to enjoy. Start by exploring the Vacaville Premium Outlets, where you can shop for great deals on popular brands. Don’t forget to visit the Nut Tree Family Park, a perfect spot for outdoor fun with its playgrounds and picnic areas.
For a unique experience, take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory and discover how these delicious candies are made. If you’re a nature enthusiast, head to Lagoon Valley Park, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, or even fishing in the beautiful surroundings.
To delve into Vacaville’s history, visit the Vacaville Museum, where you can learn about the city’s past through interesting exhibits and artefacts. Take a stroll through Downtown Vacaville, admiring the historic architecture and exploring the local shops and restaurants.
Lastly, don’t miss out on the chance to visit some of Vacaville’s charming wineries for a delightful wine tasting experience. With so many activities to choose from, your trip to Vacaville is sure to be a memorable one!
Conclusion
This is the end of this post which is about things to do in vacaville. On the other hand, vacaville is a vibrant and diverse city with plenty of fun and interesting things to do for visitors and locals alike.
From outdoor adventures, to cultural experiences, to shopping and dining, this list of 199+ activities and attractions should provide plenty of options for anyone looking to explore the area. Whether you’re interested in history, art, food, or simply having fun, Vacaville has something to offer for everyone. So, get out there and start exploring this amazing city!
FAQs
Q1. What is Vacaville, California famous for?
Vacaville is famous for its prime location between San Francisco and Sacramento. It offers a charming blend of rural and urban attractions, including the Nut Tree, an iconic roadside stop, and the Vacaville Premium Outlets, a renowned shopping destination.
Q2. What city in California has the most celebrities?
Los Angeles is the city in California that has the highest concentration of celebrities. Known as the entertainment capital of the world, it is home to Hollywood and many celebrities reside there, making it a hub for the entertainment industry.
