FAIRFIELD — Solano County offers a wide array of attractions that range from the exciting, fast-paced action of a visit to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to a leisurely stroll or picnic in one of several regional parks.
In addition to Six Flags, attractions such as Jelly Belly and the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield have helped to put Solano County on the map.
While those major venues serve to make Solano County a destination point for many, the county also has a lot to offer visitors in terms of its natural beauty. Cities such as Vallejo, Benicia, Suisun City and Rio Vista have waterfronts, each with different features that reflect the history of the community.
Transportation is a big part of Solano County’s heritage and that can be traced back through area museums that focus on the role of planes, trains and automobiles – as well as ships – in the local area.
Wineries have played a more prevalent role in Solano County in recent years, as several local, family owned operations have made their mark in the industry.
Where to go . . .
Here are some of the area’s leading attractions.
Amusement parks
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: 1001 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo. A 135-acre amusement park with rides, shows and animals. Call 634-6722 or go to www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/index.aspx for more information.
Outdoor activities
- County-run parks: Solano County parks range from Lynch Canyon in the hills between Fairfield and Vallejo to Lake Solano along Putah Creek near Winters to Sandy Beach along the Sacramento River near Rio Vista. Call 784-6765 or go to www.solanocounty.com/depts/rm/countypark/homepage.asp for more information.
- Grizzly Island Wildlife Area: 2548 Grizzly Island Road, Suisun Marsh. Offers fishing, hunting and hiking opportunities. Call 425-3828 or go to www.dfg.ca.gov/lands/wa/region3/grizzlyisland for more information.
- Rush Ranch Open Space: Two miles south of Suisun City on Grizzly Island Road. About 2,070 acres of open space in hills and wetlands with hiking trails. Call Solano Land Trust at 432-0152 or go to www.rushranch.net for more information.
- Rockville Hills Park: 2149 Rockville Road. Fairfield owns this 633-acre park with hiking trails. Call 428-7614 or go to www.fairfield.ca.gov/gov/depts/pw/open_space/rockville_hills_regional_park/default.asp for more information.
- Lagoon Valley/Pena Adobe Park: On Pena Adobe Road near Interstate 80 in Vacaville. Offers trails, picnic areas and Lagoon Valley lake for fishing. Call 449-5654 or go to www.ci.vacaville.ca.us/index.aspx?page=128 for more information.
- Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve: 1595 Railroad Ave., Mare Island, Vallejo. This 215-acre area along the southern shore of Mare Island offers hiking and includes Mare Island Hill with views of San Pablo Bay, the Carquinez Strait, Mare Island Strait and Vallejo. Also includes the oldest naval cemetery in the Pacific and a former naval ammunition depot. Call 249-9633 or go to www.mareislandpreserve.org/MareIslandPreserve/Homepage.html for more information.
Wine tasting
- Suisun Valley offers a variety of wineries and produce stands. Go to www.suisunvalley.com for information.
Tours
- Jelly Belly: 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield. Tours available of the famous candy factory. Call 399-2390 or go to www.jellybelly.com for more information.
- Anheuser-Busch: 3101 Busch Drive, Fairfield. Tours available of brewery. Call 429-2000 or go to www.budweisertours.com/z01/index.php/fairfield/overview for more information.
