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Vacaville, California
is a picture perfect city that includes shady, tree-lined streets, historic
buildings, restaurants and shops stretching along Historic Route 40 and
Creekwalk.
Located in Solano County midway between San Francisco and
Sacramento, Vacaville enjoys warm summers and mild
winters, with an average summer high of 94º and an average winter low of
36º. It's convenient location adjacent to Interstate Highway 80 provides a
large range of chain restaurants and shops for tourists and travelers who
want to stop. But for those willing to spend a little time to explore, veer
just a mile or two more and drive along Main Street to see the beautiful downtown.
Once a stage stop for
the Pony Express, the City of Vacaville, was named for Manuel Vaca who sold
his parcel of land with the agreement that one square mile area would be
used to create a township. The township of Vacaville was recorded on Dec.
13, 1851 and officially became a city 41 years later in 1892. A marker
signifies the first business building of record as Gillispie's Store in
1855, which was added as a stage stop for the Pony Express from 1860 to
1861.
Vacaville later became known as the fresh fruit capital of California and
included Nut Tree roadside fruit stand that grew to become a world-renowned
restaurant complex. The oasis
for travelers between the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento Valley was in
existence for
almost 75 years. Today as Vacaville has grown to nearly 100,000 population,
it continues to serve travelers with convenient hotels, restaurants and
shops located near busy Highway 80 between the two major cities.
With approximately 27 square miles
of land today, Vacaville is much larger than that original square mile
parcel. Bordered by rolling hillsides with elevations ranging from 90 to 300
feet, fruit orchards and fertile farmland surround the city. Annual rainfall
averages 17.39 inches. There's a community pool with water slides, ball fields and a skateboard park.
Events throughout the
year include an annual Fiesta Days held on Memorial weekend, 4th of July celebration, Tribute
to Seniors, free summer concerts at Creekwalk, and
Merriment on Main festivities during the winter holiday season.
Things to do in and around Vacaville
CreekWalk and Plaza
winds along Ulatis Creek in downtown Vacaville, bordering Andrews Park. It is home to
community events that include Summer Concert Series every Friday evening
from May to September. Dining, shops and restaurants with live music from
country to punk, R&B to rock & roll, oldies to jazz can be heard in this
crown jewel of the downtown region. creekwalk.com
Lagoon Valley/Pena
Adobe Regional Park is located on Pena Adobe Road off Interstate 80. The 470
acre park includes the historic Pena Adobe home, barbecue areas, horseshoe
pit, multi-purpose field, bike trails, a small pond, hiking, Lagoon Valley
Lake for fishing and much more. The park also features a 30,000 square foot
fenced in dog park complete with trees, water and trash receptacles.
Shopping on Main
Street or at Vacaville Premium Outlets
On a recent visit to Vacaville, stores at the Premium Outlets included:
Adidas (707) 447-0886; Ann Taylor Factory Store (707) 447-9066;
Ashworth-Callaway Golf (707) 447-0237; Banana Republic Factory Store (707)
452-8892; Bass (707) 446-4352; Big Dog Sportswear (707) 446-6852; Burberry
(707) 452-1400; Calvin Klein (707) 449-8097; Casual Corner Annex (707)
452-8047; Casual Corner Annex Petite (707) 447-4827 ; Casual Corner Annex
Woman (707) 448-1318; Casual Male Big & Tall Outlet (707) 451-3446; Chico's
(707) 447-9030; Danskin (707) 448-9313; Dress Barn (707) 451-0128; Eddie
Bauer (707) 451-0780; Gap Outlet (707) 455-7231; Geoffrey Beene (707)
452-0603; Georgiou (707) 448-3853; Guess (707) 455-8284; Haggar Clothing Co.
(707) 447-9304; Izod (707) 449-4093; Jockey (707) 451-8119; Jones New York
(707) 446-3989; Koret (707) 451-7334; L'eggs Hanes Bali Playtex (707)
449-4243; Levi's Outlet by Most (707) 451-0155; Liz Claiborne (707)
469-0520; London Fog Pacific Trail (707) 447-1196; Motherhood Maternity
(707) 446-4792; Nautica (707) 450-0964; Nike Factory Store (707) 455-7014;
PacSun (707) 469-9297; Pearl Izumi (707) 449-8425; Polo Ralph Lauren Factory
Store (707) 447-4200; Puma (707) 446-4565; The Raider Image (707) 447-1587;
Rave (707) 446-2670; Reebok (707) 452-0235; Rue 21 (707) 469-0152; Styles
for Less (707) 454-0128; Tommy Hilfiger (707) 452-8028; Van Heusen (707)
446-2836; Outlet - Vanity Fair Wrangler Lee (707) 451-1990; Wilsons Leather
Outlet (707) 446-6313.
Other stores include: Clarks Bostonian (707) 446-7188; Easy Spirit (707)
448-6788; Naturalizer (707) 452-1083; Nike Factory Store (707) 455-7014;
Nine West (707) 448-8929; Puma (707) 446-4565; Reebok (707) 452-0235;
Rockport (707) 452-0382; Saucony (707) 450-0686; Vans (707) 447-8368 ;
Carter's (707) 447-7440; Danskin (707) 448-9313; Gap Outlet (707) 455-7231;
K*B Toy Outlet (707) 448-7314; OshKosh B'Gosh (707) 446-9275; Sanrio (707)
447-3721; Coach (707) 447-2067; Samsonite Company Store (707) 446-1595;
Wilsons Leather Outlet (707) 446-6313; Diamonds Direct (707) 446-2144;
Sunglass Hut (707) 446-7258 ; Totes/Isotoner/Sunglass World (707) 451-9075;
Anna's Linens (707) 449-6329; Black & Decker (707) 453-1256; Kitchen
Collection (707) 446-7823; Oneida Home (707) 448-5803 ; Pfaltzgraff (707)
446-4984; Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store (707) 447-4200; Restoration
Hardware (707) 446-3421; Royal Doulton (707) 448-2793; Jelly Belly (707)
447-4821; KB Toy Outlet (707) 448-7314; The Paper Outlet (707) 449-3442 ;
Perfumania (707) 451-7668; Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (707) 453-1041;
Verizon Wireless (707) 452-1730; Vitamin World (707) 446-5383; Kristen's
Coffee Corner (707) 448-4718
321-F Pizza Pucks (707) 447-0637; Subway (707) 451-1119; Taco Bell/Pot Belly
Deli/TCBY (707) 448-4718
Vacaville Museum includes
Solano County history exhibits, publications and
educational programs promoting community heritage. Since 1984, Vacaville
Museum has produced more than 30 exhibits, as well as numerous publications
important to the history and sense of place of Solano County. Docent led
tours for school groups and other large groups are available two weeks in
advance of the planned date to make reservations. Smaller groups may plan
afternoon tours by arranging with the museum office. Call 707-447-4513 for
reservations. Vacaville Museum Store includes a fantastic collection of
books about the region. "Images of America - Vacaville, California" -
a photo history of Vacaville containing 128 pages and 225 black-and-white
photos published in December 2004 by Solano County historian Jerry Bowen is
sold at the store. Location: 213 Buck Ave., Vacaville Ca 95688 Phone:
707-447-4513 fax: 707-447-2661. vacavillemuseum.org
Vacaville Performing
Arts Theatre is an intimate, state-of-the-art 500 seat performance venue.
The San Francisco Comedy Competition, Solano Community Symphony, Vacaville
Ballet Theatre Company, Vacaville Concert Society, Solano Choral Society and
many more professional and regional musical groups, dance and acting
organizations have appeared at Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre.
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