Plan Your Day

'Tis the Season in Beautiful Benicia! Looking for a magical holiday shopping experience? Skip the mall crowds and discover the charm of downtown Benicia. Our historic First Street transforms into a winter wonderland, where local merchants offer unique treasures you won't find anywhere else. From handcrafted art to gourmet delights, each purchase supports our vibrant community of small business owners. Take a break between shops to savor seasonal specials at our waterfront restaurants, or join us for festive community events that capture the true spirit of the season. As you stroll past twinkling lights and decorated storefronts, you'll discover why Benicia is the Bay Area's hidden gem for holiday shopping. Let's explore just a few fantastic spots for your 2024 holiday shopping adventure: 

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:

HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING!

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.

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.

Family Fall-Tastic: Five Events, One Day!

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!

Shopping online has its benefits, but after a year of sheltering-in-place, it can be a nice escape to treat yourself to some retail therapy out in the real world! The leaves are changing and so should your style, with new weather coming our way as the long, hot summer finally comes to an end.

One of the best things about Benicia is the fabulous, one-of-a-kind shopping experience on First Street. Each boutique is completely locally-owned, completely unique, and reflective of Benicia’s quirky, art-loving personality. From gifts, to collectibles, to home décor and designer fashion, there’s always something new and original to discover.