Vallejo may not be known for its vibrancy as much as the neighboring city of San Francisco, but it is filled with places that are engaging and fun for friends and family alike to enjoy. Check out the Culture Trip’s picks for the top ten things to do and see in Vallejo.
The equivalent of Southern California’s Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom offers exciting experiences for fellow thrill-seekers and adventurers in Northern California. The theme park offers an abundant amount of opportunities for friends and family to take advantage of. (Just make sure you arrive well before the park closes!) It includes thrill rides, family rides, kids’ rides, live entertainment, animal encounters, animal attractions, and dining. Oh, and don’t forget the shopping, for a souvenir to bring back home, of course.
Vallejo definitely shows appreciation for its young locals; this most certainly can be considered a ‘wonderland.’ Some of the features of the Children’s Wonderland are a castle, fairy tale-themed play spaces and equipment, a dinosaur statue, and an outdoor theater. If you are hesitant about visiting Vallejo with your children, no need to worry, Children’s Wonderland may be the solution to your problem.
Now this place will keep your dog happy! Located in a residential neighborhood, Wardlaw Dog Park allows dogs of any size to roam around without a collar and soak in the sun. After a long drive in the area, it is a neat space to let your dog off its leash and for you to enjoy time for yourself. It is a relatively friendly environment; smaller dogs are assigned their own segregated small dog area to prevent dog conflicts from happening.
Free, kid-friendly, and a good date destination, Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve is a massive 215 acres. Within this large space, attractions include hiking, biking, scenic views, and picnicking. Bring a group of friends, gather your family around, or set up a date in this lovely setting, and the memory of being here will be a great one.
If you’re looking for a park that doesn’t fit traditional standards, then Vallejo Waterfront Park may be for you. This place is essentially a large, open space, accessible for activities such as biking, running, soccer, and flying kites. Whether you’re with family, friends, or pets, any and all are welcome to wander around this unique setting.
Who doesn’t love a city with a touch of nature? Bay Area Ridge Trail offers its visitors that natural feeling. A nature trail that connects over 75 parks and open spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the Bay Area Ridge Trail can be used for a number of exercise activities such as biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Food in stands, people gathered around to get a taste and desperate to bring their favorites home… who doesn’t love a farmers’ market! Fortunately, Vallejo has one! Offering fresh fruits and vegetables from the fields and orchards of local family farms, the Saturday market is open year-round. This means each season Vallejo Farmers’ Market displays its freshest fruits, vegetables, greens, and nuts along with freshly caught seafood and fresh-cut flowers. What a healthy treat!
For a beautiful spot to look at the view and take in a fresh breath of air, Vallejo Marina would fulfill these wonders for you. Located between the San Francisco Bay and the Delta, it offers a wide variety of facilities for local residents and visitors to enjoy. These facilities include fuel docks, hot showers, a nearby launch ramp, and a laundry machine.
Unlike Vallejo Waterfront Park, Blue Rock Springs Park isn’t just a large open space. A wonderful alternative, this park combines outdoor recreation with history. There are a handful of historic buildings on site, as well as many other opportunities for visitors to enjoy themselves: large picnic areas, open play sections, children’s playground equipment, and a hiking trail all make a visit to Blue Rock Springs worthwhile.
An exclusive peninsula and former military establishment resting alongside the city of Vallejo, Mare Island is quite an attraction to see; no wonder it is a favorite visiting spot of locals and travelers alike! Come marvel at the island’s beautiful views of the surrounding land and waters, and take a stroll through its historical buildings, gulf, and wedding venues.
Sarah Ndjongo is a young photographer and writer based at the University of California-Berkeley, where she studies Rhetoric with a concentration in Narrative and Film. Sarah is often spotted at church events where she is involved with choir, as well as media/television. Aside from church, she enjoys music, fashion, and hand lettering. Although she has lived in California her entire life, her four-month study abroad experience led her to fall head over heels for London.
