BENICIA OFFERS VISITORS “A GREAT ESCAPE BY THE BAY” THIS SUMMER

Kevin Almeida

Safe, Relaxing Day Trips for Visitors of All Ages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visit Benicia

250 East L Street

Benicia, California 94510

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Barbie Chiu

Creative Digital Agency

BENICIA, CA (June 23, 2020) -- Visit Benicia today launched its ,, “Great Escape by the Bay” summer promotion, dedicated to providing a variety of safe, relaxing, and rejuvenating day trips for Bay Area residents seeking a release from the stresses of 2020.

Summer has officially arrived, but for most of us, it probably doesn’t feel that way. People have been dealing with a lot this year, whether it’s a family that’s been trapped in lockdown with stir-crazy young children, old friends who haven’t seen each other in months, or anyone who’s gone crazy from sitting at home.

That’s why Visit Benicia has been working closely with local businesses to implement new, COVID-19-conscious policies, transforming the visitor experience into something that everyone needs -- and that everyone can safely enjoy.

A quiet, undiscovered jewel of the bay, Benicia is uniquely situated to offer an easy way to escape for the day. With the breezes and beauty of a strollable downtown waterfront, 450 acres of outdoor adventure at the State Recreation Area, and charming local options for ,, takeout dining and ,, shopping , Benicia is less than an hour’s drive from everywhere in the Bay Area; from Sonoma to the South Bay, Sacramento to San Francisco.

Plan Your Escape

Visit ,, EscapeByTheBay.com all summer long to check out updates and new recommended itineraries to plan their perfect day trip. Here is a taste of what people can expect from a day in Benicia:

,, Escape 2020: Step Back in Time

Visitors can escape from the troubles of the day with a relaxing day-trip that takes them “back in time.” As one of the oldest cities in California, Benicia is home to a wealth of vintage architecture and historic landmarks, dating back to the gold rush, the Wild West, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. This ,, leisurely drive takes visitors past historic sites while still leaving time for an afternoon picnic.

,, Health & Wellness

Located on both the San Francisco Bay Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail, Benicia is the ,, nature lover’s dream location . Visitors can rent a bike (or bring their own), or take their scooter or walking shoes and explore the trails, waterfront, and expansive outdoor areas. Here are some ideas to help people of all ages and fitness levels plan an enjoyable excursion.

,, Art & Inspiration

It's the end of an era for one of Benicia's defining cultural landmarks. This will be the last summer visitors will be able to enjoy the incredible hand-blown glasswork at Linsay Art Glass. Art-lovers will be thrilled to ,, discover Benicia’s thriving creative community , walkable downtown galleries, and scenic waterfront vistas.

,, Romance by the Bay

No doubt about it, the COVID-19 crisis has been rough on romance. With couples struggling to balance work with parenting, never changing out of their pajamas, or looking to reunite with a loved one many miles away, Benicia is the ideal location for a ,, safe, romantic day trip that features fun, sun, and scenic views of the Carquinez Strait.

,, Dog-Friendly Fun

After being trapped indoors for months, we all need some fresh air and exercise -- including the family dog! Good news: Benicia is one of the most ,, dog-friendly destinations around , offering an off-leash beach and boutique shopping specifically for your pet.

,, Farmers Market

Among Benicia’s best-kept secrets are the beautiful sunsets by the waterfront, and what better way to end a day trip than with a picnic of fresh local cuisine from the newly-reopened Benicia ,, Farmers Market ?

  • The Benicia Farmers Market returns every Thursday, from now through October.
  • Location: First Street, between B Street and D Street
  • Hours: 4pm-8pm (September-October, from 4pm-7pm)

Special social-distancing measures have been put in place to make the experience as safe as possible for everyone.

,, A Day for Dad

Whether they’ve been cooped-up with a demanding toddler or struggling to get work done from home, Bay Area dads need a day to relax every now and then. Here’s a guide to a ,, dad’s day trip complete with a rejuvenating hike, bike ride, and a souvenir comic book.

***

,, DOWNLOAD PRESS KIT

2023 Benicia Holiday Shopping Guide

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:

HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING

By Visit Benicia • 26 Oct, 2023
HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING!

"The Last of Us" Life-Size Bread Sculpture on Display in Downtown Benicia

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.

Final Benicia Art Walk of the Season October 14th

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.

Family Fall-Tastic Saturday

By Visit Benicia • 28 Sep, 2023
Family Fall-Tastic: Five Events, One Day!

Benicia Art Walk Returns September 9th!

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 .

Benicia Art Walk 2023 Weekend 2 July 8

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 . 

Benicia Art Walk 2023 Returns June 10

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 .

2023 Mother’s Day Weekend in Benicia

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 !

Benicia Farmers Market + Picnics

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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