50 Perfect Hours: Solano County

Each week, travel writer Katie Morell will detail how to spend 50 hours in a different San Francisco Bay Area city for the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee’s #Perfect50 Hour Series.

Take I-80 East out of San Francisco and in about an hour you will find yourself among the rolling hills of Solano County. The 907-square-mile region offers a mix of suburban and rural communities and is well situated between Sacramento and the Bay Area. Within its confines, visitors will find several wineries, museums and tasty restaurants.

Here, we detail the perfect way to spend a 50-hour getaway in Solano County.

Day 1

8:30 a.m. – Wake up at The Shorelight Inn, an adorable bed and breakfast right on the San Francisco Bay in Benicia. Spend a few minutes staring out on the water, then lace up your walking or running shoes and hit the waterfront trail right outside the hotel. After 30 minutes of exercise, shower and change into some comfortable, breathable clothes. Bring a hat, put on your sunscreen and then walk downstairs for a complimentary breakfast of fruit, coffee, tea and pastries.

10:30 a.m. – Hop in the car and drive 30 miles north and then east to the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City. This place is a gem, especially for the electric railway enthusiasts in your family. Check out more than 50 historic rail cars and 22 miles of track at this sprawling, 22-acre museum. Open 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids 2-14 years old.

12:30 p.m. – Set your GPS to 770 Kellogg Street in Suisun City and 15 minutes later settle into a table at Babs Delta Diner. This is a local favorite with amazing brunch options (who doesn’t want two breakfasts in one day?). Try the corned beef hash, Tyler’s omelet (ham and cheddar) and opt for a hotcake on the side. Relax and chat with the friendly residents while your food digests.

1:30 p.m. – Time for some outside adventure. Drive six miles west to Rockville Hills Regional Park in Fairfield, a gorgeous green space worth the $3 per person entry fee (dogs are $1 extra). Spend the next 90 minutes exploring the trails around this park—download a trail map before you go.

3:00 p.m. – Ready for something sweet? If so, hop in your car and head east 10 minutes to the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield. This place offers free, 40-minute tours every day (except major holidays).

4:30 p.m. – Drive back to The Shorelight Inn, catch up on your vacation novel and take a short nap. Then shower and get ready for a night out in Benicia.

6:30 p.m. – Keep your car parked and walk to 1st Street to the W. C Street and into The Loft, a popular wine bar. Ask the bartender to help you build your own flight and enjoy tasting different wines from the region (Napa is only 25 miles north of Benicia).

8:00 p.m. – Say goodbye to the friendly locals you met at The Loft and walk a few blocks north to Venticellos Ristorante Italiano, an adorable eatery with some of the best green mussels you will ever try. After the mussels, move onto the Caprese salad, chicken Parmesan and jambalaya. Finish off your experience with a helping of the chocolate soufflé. Delicious.

Day 2

8:00 a.m. – Wake up a little earlier today and put on some breathable clothing. Skip breakfast downstairs and instead jump in the car and drive into Vallejo. Stop at 314 Georgia Street and walk into Good Day Café. Order a helping of fried country style steak and potatoes, an omelet and a few pancakes with Nutella. Grab a seat outside if it is a nice day and enjoy your feast with a cup of piping hot coffee.

9:00 a.m. – Head over to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. Here, you will find a historic park with a museum (open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays and the first and third weekends of the month) and a gallery.

11:00 a.m. – Now it is time to let loose at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, a 135-acre amusement park with more than 40 rides. Spend the next few hours going on water rides, roller coasters and seeing animals in the petting zoo. There is something for everyone here, include small children. The little tikes can enjoy time at Looney Tunes Seaport, Tava’s Jungleland and Seaside Junction.

Eat lunch at one of the park’s many dining options, from Asia and Mexican cuisine to pizza and burgers.

2:30 p.m. –Solano County is home to a wide variety of wineries, so after twirling on the rollercoasters at Six Flags, go to Vezer Family Vineyards, located about 20 minutes north in Suisun Valley. Spring for the one-hour Mankas Corner Barrel Room Legacy Tour for $39 per person (book in advance on the vineyard’s website) and learn how wine is made.

5:00 p.m. – A visit to Solano County isn’t complete without checkout out Vacaville. Drive 10 miles north from Vezer Family Vineyards and settle into a table at BackDoor Bistro and Wine Bar. Chef Lindsey Gilpin grew up in Vacaville and now serves tasty dishes like a seared wild Ahi tuna, Niman Ranch bacon wrapped pork tenderloin and vegetarian faro risotto. Ask your server for the best wine parings and dig in.

Day 3

10:00 a.m. – Wake up late this morning, check out of The Shorelight Inn and then walk three blocks over to Java Point Café. Start by ordering a latte, then a berry waffle with walnuts and then the crab omelet to finish off your experience. This is the perfect way to end your 50-hour getaway in Solano County.

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Katie Morell is an independent journalist based in San Francisco who writes about travel, business and social justice issues. Her work has appeared in Hemispheres, Fast Company, USA Today, Diversity Woman, BBC Travel and others. Read more of her work at www.katiemorell.com