Benicia Travel Guide

 Basaic Says:  The people at the visitor's center in the old depot said this seal has taken to lounging on a rock near the depot. She has become sort of an unofficial mascot for the town. 

 Basaic Says:  Another famous person associated with Benicia and the beautiful locations nearby was author Jack London who was well known for his books in wilderness settings. 

 Basaic Says:  There are a couple of nice parks along the waterfront in Benicia. They offer a nice walking trail and they all have nice views. From the one on F Street you can catch a slight glimpse of the "mothball fleet". 

 Basaic Says:  After stopping at the Solano Hotel, the Pony Express Rider would ride down to the waterfront to this point where he would board the ferry for Martinez before continuing his ride to Oakland then San Francisco. 

 Basaic Says:  The Washington House was built in 1850 and housed several of the members of the state legislature while Benicia was the state capitol. It also served as a bordello, a Chinese lottery, and was a speakeasy during prohibition. 

 Basaic Says:  The Solano Hotel was built in 1851. It was one of the social centers of the town and served as the residence for many of the politicians while Benicia was the state capitol. It was also a stop for the Pony Expressin 1860 and 1861. 

 Basaic Says:  The Fischer-Hanlon House is located right next to the Benicia Capitol Building. It was built sometime prior to 1849 using the Eastern Federalist Style of Architecture. It was reputedly a hotel for miners and was located on First Street until Joseph Fischer, a Swiss immigrant... 

 Basaic Says:  Another building of historic and architecural interest in the area of the Benicia Arsenal is The Guardhouse, which was built in 1872. This is actually the third guard house with the first being built in 1852. The first guard house was the setting for a trial of a young... 

 sgoet Says:  The restaurant is on a slight hill looking out on the Carquinez Strait. The television is usually turned to sports. Most people sit at the bar and eat. They serve beer and wine. There are two small pool tables that cost 50 cents a game. A jukebox provides music. There are... 

 sgoet Says:  Since we are on the water, we have a marina. The picture shows the guest dock. The Marina is off East Second Street, so you can walk to downtown. It takes a sail boat about 90 minutes to make the trip from San Francisco. 

 atufft Says:  In the waters of the Suisun Bay, just east of Benicia, is largest naval fleet in the Pacific Ocean--the US National Defense Reserve Fleet. Many of these ships will never see service again, and likely are difficult to salvage due to an abundance of toxic materials in their... 

 sgoet Says:  Benicia Industries operates a port to serve the refinery and autocarriers. The port is just downriver from the Benicia Bridge. Beneath the north anchorage of the bridge is a popular spot for locals to fish in the Sacramento River. The closest bait shop is on Claverie Way,... 

 SteveOSF Says:  The National Defense Reserve Fleet is anchored off the shore of Benicia in Suisun Bay. It consists of ships that are no longer used but are retained in the event they are needed to deal with a national emergency, war, or humanitarian aid. They are in various states of...