Discover Solano: Nature, Water and History

Solano combines expansive marshlands, open farmland, historic sites and a variety of trails. Those wishing to plan a trip around nature observation, outdoor activities, water experiences and culture will find a range of options here for organizing their days. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth deciding on your personal focus first: Should the trip primarily take you to protected areas, the water or the region’s historic sites?

Nature Among Marshlands and Open Landscapes

Lynch Canyon Open Space Park offers ten miles of trails for hiking, birdwatching, trail running, horseback riding and mountain biking. A section of the San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail runs through the park; from the ridgelines, views extend across Suisun Marsh, the Carquinez Strait and San Pablo Bay. Grasslands, oak woodlands, riparian forests and wet meadows shape the landscape and provide habitat for deer, foxes, bobcats, waterfowl and numerous birds of prey.

Patwino Worrtla Kodoi Dihi Open Space Park has twelve miles of multi-use trails for hikers, cyclists and equestrians. There is also a specially paved, 0.6-mile accessible trail for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers. The park is also home to Golden Eagles, Acorn Woodpeckers and California Newts. For further nature observation, consider the approximately 12,900-acre Grizzly Island Wildlife Area with ten land parcels, the approximately 1,700-acre Hill Slough Wildlife Area and the 117-acre Peytonia Slough Ecological Reserve.

Water, Trails and Special Excursions

At Montezuma Slough, Belden's Landing Park provides access to Suisun Marsh via a boat ramp. Fishing is possible there from the shore and from a pier. Lake Solano Park combines picnic areas and birdwatching with access for non-motorized boats to Putah Creek. It also has a campground for RVs and tents, as well as sites for cyclists arriving under their own power. At the Sacramento River, Sandy Beach County Park offers a sandy beach, picnic areas, boat-ramp access and camping opportunities. Jet skiing, recreational boating, windsurfing, sailing and other beach activities are also available.

For a tour through Suisun Marsh, the seven-mile Laurel Creek Trail is a destination in its own right. Benicia State Recreation Area offers 2.5 miles of roads and cycling paths. Jepson Prairie Preserve is considered one of the best-preserved examples of vernal pool ecosystems in California. In spring, guided tours of the pools and the species that depend on them are offered there. Rare species in the protected area include Vernal-Pool Fairy Shrimp, Conservancy Fairy Shrimp, Vernal-Pool Tadpole Shrimp and the California Tiger Salamander. The Dixon Vernal Pools, centered on Jepson Prairie, were designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1987.

History and Culture in Your Travel Itinerary

Benicia brings together several historical themes. The Benicia Capitol was built in 1852 and was one of four locations of California’s “Capitol on Wheels.” The Benicia Arsenal was established in 1849 on a 345-acre site east of the city along the Carquinez Strait; several historically significant buildings, including the Commanding Officer's Quarters, are still standing. Mare Island Navy Yard was founded on September 16, 1854, as the first U.S. naval station in the Pacific. Even older is the Vaca-Peña Adobe, which was built in 1843.

The Western Railway Museum preserves the heritage of Northern California’s electric railways. The 11-mile round trip travels through the landscape of Solano County and offers views of open farmland, Mount Diablo and surrounding marshlands. There is no connecting bus to the museum from the Capitol Corridor Suisun City/Fairfield station on weekends. For another unusual excursion, the Jelly Belly Factory offers a self-guided tour along a 0.25-mile elevated route with interactive exhibits and a ride on the Jelly Belly Express. The Jelly Belly Museum also showcases the development of confectionery manufacturing equipment and the growth of Jelly Belly.

The Right Base for Your Trip

Looking for a holiday apartment in Solano can be especially worthwhile if you organize your desired excursions by theme in advance. Nature enthusiasts can make protected areas and marshlands the focus, while Benicia, the Western Railway Museum or the historic buildings are suitable for days centered on cultural history. Those planning water activities should consider the parks at Suisun Marsh, Putah Creek or the Sacramento River. At Lake Solano Park, road construction work is temporarily affecting access at least until September 2026; this information should therefore be included in current travel planning.

Other places you can include in your research are Vallejo, Benicia, Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon and Rio Vista.

For the overarching travel overview: California.

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