Great Hikes in Vallejo, Benicia, and American Canyon, California
By Rachel Puryear
In the outer northeastern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, nestled between Napa and the East Bay region, is a cluster of three cities/towns – Benicia, Vallejo, and American Canyon. This is a sort of micro-region, that has its own local vibe.
It’s also home to some beautiful scenery, and great places to hike and visit. It’s situated near water, yet also has rolling hills, and feels less crowded and rushed than the rest of the metro region.
Here are some of our favorite outdoor spots in this region:
Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo
If you like dramatic views from the tops of hills, this is a great park to visit. Or, if you prefer, there are also some flatter paved paths with plenty of verdant scenery.
Vallejo’s Waterfront
Downtown Vallejo is home to the city’s ferry station, and there’s plenty of flat, paved walking paths from which to enjoy the gorgeous views of the Napa River. Plus, enjoy the diverse downtown dining offerings while you’re there.
Benicia’s Waterfront
The smaller, charming city of Benicia also boasts its own beautiful waterfront, with flat, paved walkways. The pier is also popular for fishing. Nearby downtown Benicia also as a great variety of dining choices and shops.
Benicia State Recreation Area
If you prefer a quieter hike that’s a bit more out of the way, and enjoy views of marshlands, be sure and check out this park. See here for more about this park, including detailed accessibility information.
Napa River Bay Trail in American Canyon
This gorgeous trail offers views of marshlands, ponds, marine life, and of course the Napa River. Enjoy a picnic at the trailhead with its own great views, or hike along the trails.
Dan Foley Park
This park not only has gorgeous trees and greenery to admire, but it’s got something for the whole family. There’s a community center, a fishing lake (see here for rules), a playground, boating, soccer and baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, picnic and barbecue areas, and of course trails.
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- Visiting some snowy, icy places this season? Winter wonderlands are beautiful, but do require some extra planning to visit. Check out this windshield cover to keep your windows free of frost and ice, as well as warmer inside while parking – they have RV sized covers, too! If you’re driving on icy roads, you will need tire chains to drive more safely – here’s a set of universal adjustable tire chains that can fit large vehicle tires.
Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to beautiful local hikes.
Check out my other blog, too – World Class Hugs, at https://worldclasshugs.com. It’s about celebrating empathic and HSS/HSP people, balanced versus toxic relationships, loving spirituality and spiritualism without religious dogma, and visiting gorgeous natural places.
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