A gateway to the San Francisco Bay Area, Vallejo is brimming with adventure. You can ride high-octane roller coasters, peer into submarine periscopes and hit the trails at the Benicia State Recreation Area.
Things to do in Vallejo
Visit Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, an award-winning amusement park with some of America's biggest, fastest and most stomach-churning roller coasters. You'll also find a host of animal attractions and experiences, including dolphin shows, California sea lion enclosures and the Giraffe Encounter.
For a glimpse at California's seafaring past, don't miss the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. It's housed in the Old City Hall and highlights the United States naval base that was once located on Mare Island. A working submarine periscope has been installed through the roof and offers panoramic views of Vallejo and Mare Island.
Vallejo is anchored by a lively downtown district, with most of the action centred along Georgia Street. It's lined with brick buildings that house a collection of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You'll also find on-trend galleries and historic entertainment venues like the elegant 1911 Empress Theatre.
If you want to stretch your legs, throw on your hiking boots and hit the trails in Benicia State Recreation Area. It's fringed with rocky beaches that back onto the Carquinez Strait. You can soak up the sun, enjoy a picnic or go birdwatching in the tidal wetlands.
Getting around Vallejo
Downtown Vallejo is easy to get around on foot, while the city is serviced by a network of local buses. San Francisco day trippers can take advantage of high-speed catamarans that cruise between Vallejo and the “Golden City”.