DOG-FRIENDLY FUN

Visit Benicia

After being cooped up indoors for months, not only are you ready for a day out, your furry best friend is probably feeling the same way too! Good news: Benicia is one of the most dog-friendly destinations around, and it’s an easy day trip from anywhere in the bay area!

Why not treat your dog (and yourself) to a long-overdue escape by the bay? Here are some of the best dog-friendly spots in Benicia:

First Street Beach

Looking for a dip in the water? Dogs are allowed to swim in the water off-leash at the First Street Beach, before the Promenade that heads to the pier. Keep your pup on a leash as you stroll down First Street until you reach the beach, but once there, let your dog run free! Take a stroll along the shoreline or dip into the ocean while taking in the scenic views of the Carquinez Strait.

Treats and Grooming

Stop by Pups and Purrz for a treat! They are open Wednesday-Monday, 10am-4pm for all your pets’ needs. From supplies, to accessories, to all-natural dog food (or even a new outfit), Pups and Purrz has everything to make sure your dog enjoys their day trip just as much as the rest of your family!

Benicia State Recreation Area

With two and a half miles of roads and bike paths, Benicia State Recreation Area is the perfect place to stay active with your furry best friend. Dogs do have to remain on a leash that’s under six-feet at all times, but the grassy hillsides and beaches make for a great place to stretch out and stay active.

Hungry? Grab a Hot Dog from Char’s and a Beer from Cullen’s Tannery Pub & Saloon

Cullen’s has reopened for beer from their pub and they area also serving hot dogs from Char’s. The courtyard patio is dog-friendly, so you and your pup can enjoy some amazing hot dogs and beer with great views of the water.

(Image courtesy of: Cullen’s Tannery & Pub Saloon )

Phenix Dog Park

The Phenix Dog Park at the Community Park has reopened for community use! While maintaining six-feet from other human visitors, dogs are able to run around off-leash with other doggy friends. Named after the late police dog “Phenix,” the park provides over an acre of room for your dog to run free. The dog park is fully fenced with sections for both large and small dogs.

By Visit Benicia 24 Nov, 2023
Happy Holidays! Make Benicia your one-stop shop for holiday shopping this year! Discover quirky shops, one-of-a-kind gifts, and friendly merchants who make it easy to find the perfect something for your special someone . You'll also be supporting small, locally-owned businesses that directly benefit the community! While you're at it, unwind and enjoy a delicious meal at one Benicia's incredible restaurants . And, to really get yourself in the holiday spirit, plan your shopping visit around one of Benicia's many family-friendly (and free) Holiday Events ! We've put together some quick tips in the 2023 Benicia Holiday Shopping Guide:
By Visit Benicia 26 Oct, 2023
HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING!
By Visit Benicia 04 Oct, 2023
Bakery Creates Life-Size Halloween Bread Sculpture From the Hit Show, The Last of Us Mother/Daughter baking team in Benicia, CA create eye-popping bread sculptures every Halloween, inspired by popular film & television characters An incredible mother/daughter baking team in Benicia, California, who last year made international headlines with their " Pan Solo " bread sculpture, have done it again! This year’s masterpiece is the even more ambitious " The Last of Crust ," a life-size bread sculpture inspired by the hit show and video game The Last of Us , starring Pedro Pascal. The “clickers” from the show, hand-sculpted and baked by Hannalee Pervan and her mother Catherine in Benicia's One House Bakery , are covered in more than 1,000 individually-created "mushrooms." The exhibit took over 400 hours of labor to construct, more than twice as long as "Pan Solo." The creature's man-eating chompers were hand-sculpted and modeled after Catherine's own teeth.
By Visit Benicia 28 Sep, 2023
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy the final Benicia Art Walk of the year, with special exhibitions and live demonstrations at 8 galleries, all within easy walking distance of each other. Keep reading to find out what's happening at each gallery! When: October 14th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early to give yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE . Win a $200 Gift Card for the Arts If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023: Art Walk Drink Specials Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer More Free Family Fun on October 14th! October 14th is Benicia's Family Fall-Tastic Saturday, with five events happening in one day ! In addition to Art Walk , see a dog costume contest at the Dog Festival , view the inside of a fire truck at the Fire Station's Open House or go Shopping at the Book Sale and Craft Fair . All events are free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby.
By Visit Benicia 28 Sep, 2023
Family Fall-Tastic: Five Events, One Day!
By Visit Benicia 07 Sep, 2023
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy and explore the Benicia Art Walk . Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: September 9th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! WIN! If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE .
By Visit Benicia 05 Jul, 2023
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Enjoy the beautiful weather and explore the Benicia Art Walk . Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: July 8th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! WIN! If you get your Art Walk Passport stamped at each gallery, you can turn it in to one of the participating galleries for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate to be used at one of the 2023 Art Walk galleries! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE . 
By Visit Benicia 07 Jun, 2023
Attention Art Lovers! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Benicia Art Walk marks the city's first major public event of the year. Celebrate one of the Bay Area’s most active art communities, and enjoy entertainment & live demonstrations at 8 galleries in downtown Benicia. When: June 10th, 12pm-4pm Where: First Street, Benicia Get directions Benicia Art Walk runs from 12pm-4pm , every second Saturday of June, July, September and October. We recommend arriving a bit early, giving yourself time to make a whole day enjoying the city's many artisanal dining and boutique shopping options, as well! New for 2023! Unlock Art Walk Drink Specials! Show your Art Walk pass at Mare Island Brewing Co. and Cullen's Tannery Pub to receive the exclusive offers below. Mare Island Brewing Co. : $1 off any glass of Mare Island Winefitters wine, or draft Mare Island Brewing Co. beer Cullen's Tannery Pub : A unique $5 special cocktail for each Art Walk this summer Free Summer Fun Escaping the heat this summer just got a whole lot cooler. The event is free to the public, and there’s always plenty of free street parking nearby. If you’re not sure where to start, just look for the blue banners hanging in front of each gallery, or view the 2023 Benicia Art Walk brochure and map HERE .
By Visit Benicia 27 Apr, 2023
Looking for something special to do this Mother's Day? Celebrate all weekend with a special trip to Benicia! Here are some suggestions for delicious bakeries & restaurants, boutique shopping, and fun things to do with Mom on your outing to this artsy, waterfront town! Pro-Tip: Trouble finding the perfect gift? Give Mom the gift of a full day spent together in Benicia with a city-wide Shop Benicia eGift card, redeemable at 60 locations around town! Read on for inspiration on where to eat, where to shop, and what to do !
By Visit Benicia 27 Apr, 2023
Make your Thursdays extra special with a trip to the Benicia Certified Farmers Market , followed by a picnic with waterfront views! The Farmers Market happens every Thursday from April 27th to October 26th! You can find the market on First Street, between B and D Streets . When is it? April-August: 4-8pm September-October: 4-7pm Visitors can browse farm-fresh produce, fresh-cut flowers, arts and crafts vendors, specialty foods, baked goods, and numerous gourmet food vendors! Children can enjoy activities like face painting and the inflatable bounce house on the First Street Green. After you are done shopping, set up a picnic to enjoy at Benicia's Waterfront , or at one of its many parks . Read on for some picnic recipes featuring the vendors of Benicia's Farmers market!
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