Benicia, California travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Benicia is a city in Solano County in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Although its service was short, Benicia was the third city to serve as state capital of California.

3 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Benicia

Benicia Capitol State Historic Park

Museum of History Benicia

The Benicia Historical Museum is housed in the former Benicia Arsenal, a United States Army Depot, home of the infamous Camel Corps.

Historic Downtown

Downtown Benicia is the home to several historic structures, including the Southern Pacific train station at the end of 1st St. The remains of the ferry dock that used to carry train cars across the channel can be seen a…

Benicia Skatepark

A free skatepark to go to for Skateboards, skates and bikes. A very large skatepark. If you are into any of those sports, then it is a must-see.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Concord)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
CCR Buchanan Field, Concord — 7 mi away. Directions
OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 24 mi away (major hub). Directions

You can take both Interstate 780 from Vallejo or Interstate 680 from Fairfield or the East Bay to reach Benicia.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Benicia Capitol State Historic Park, Museum of History Benicia
Lunch Aroma Indian Cuisine
Afternoon Historic Downtown, Benicia Skatepark
Dinner Mai Thai Cuisine
Evening Bottom of the Fifth

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

By car

You can take both Interstate 780 from Vallejo or Interstate 680 from Fairfield or the East Bay to reach Benicia.

By bus

Place SolTrans

A public intercity bus service that offers two routes to get into Benicia. Blue from Fairfield and Yellow from the East Bay

Checked Jun 2024

Maps Website

On bike or foot

There is a bike/ped path on the southbound span of the Benicia bridge that is open 24/7. You can also use the Glen Cove waterfront park-Benicia State Recreation Area trail.

Get around

Place Solano Mobility Lyft ride

Use promo code <code>5BENICIA</code> in Lyft to get discounted rides only while you're within the Benicia city limits.

💲 $5 (and the difference in fares over $20)Checked Jun 2024

Maps Website

See

See Benicia Capitol State Historic Park

The Benicia Capitol was the site of the third California State Capitol. Aside from the current Capitol Building in Sacramento, it is the only remaining State Capitol building. Next door is the Fischer-Hanlon house, a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which shows how an upper-middle class family lived from approximately the 1860s to the 1960s.

📍 115 West G Stintersection of 1st St and G St downtown🕒 Thu 12–4PM; Fri–Sun 10AM–5PM💲 $3☎ +1 707 745-3385⚠ Last checked Mar 2021 — confirm before you go

Maps Website