Explore Benicia, California

Benicia is a waterside city in Solano County, California that is located in the San Francisco Bay Area along the north bank of the Carquinez Strait. It is just east of Vallejo and across the strait from Martinez. Benicia boasts California's oldest standing capitol building and served as the state capital for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. Some historic (ca. 1860) landmark buildings include The Clock Tower, the Camel Barn, and the Jefferson Street Mansion. The chamber distributes a visitors guide that includes information about self-guided walking tours of historic Benicia. The main retail area in Benicia is First Street, which attracts out-of-town antique and boutique shoppers and those seeking small-town, historic charm. Amtrak also runs past the city north towards Sacramento, but the nearest train station lies in Martinez across the Carquinez Strait. Visit the unique Glass Beach or take the bicycle/pedestrian San Francisco Bay Trail that runs through the Benicia State Recreational Area and downtown Benicia.