Last Minute Shopping
Barbie Chiu
It can be tough doing your holiday shopping, with everything that's going on. If you are still trying to find something for the person who has everything, why not give them an all-expenses-paid day in Benicia?
We've put together a collection of day trip "Gift Packages," brochures you can print at home and put a bow on! Each package comes with a suggested dollar amount you can add to your Shop Benicia eGift Card , accepted at dozens of participating local businesses.
Some of these day trips are things you can enjoy right now, and some will be trips for you or a loved one to look forward to in the new year, after certain restrictions are lifted. For the most up-to-date information regarding Solano County safety guidelines, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/
Read on to see how you can give your loved one a full day of fun, no matter if they're an art lover, shopaholic, or they just need a day to relax.
Purchase Shop Benicia eGift Cards
Printable "Gift Packages"
In a time crunch to shop for gifts? Don't fret! Follow these simple steps to gift the perfect escape this holiday season:
- Choose the perfect package for your loved one
- Click the image of the gift box to download a one-page brochure you can print at home
- Head over to the Shop Benicia Gift Card portal to purchase your gift cards and support local small businesses!
Wellness Package
Treat your friends and family to a much-needed reset and relax day with an escape to Benicia's waterfront breezes, natural beauty and charming restaurants.
Romantic Escape Package
Gift your significant other a date in Benicia, featuring a picnic and paint day by the water!
Art Lover Package
Benicia is home to a thriving artist community, with art galleries all over downtown. Treat the art lover in your life to a day of gallery-hopping and find the perfect art addition to their home!
Retail Package
After a year of shopping online, it can be a nice change-up to do some retail therapy in person! Take the day to enjoy all the unique boutiques that line First Street, and don't forget to grab a cup of coffee and something yummy to eat!
Spa Day Retreat Package
Let me guess: you're in desperate need of a relaxing spa day? Treat yourself or your loved one to a full day of pampering. By the time you're done, you'll be glowing brighter than the sun!
How to Purchase Shop Benicia Gift Cards?
Shop Benicia gift cards can be purchased from our online platform here and redeemed at any , participating Benicia business . Cards never expire, and new businesses are signing up every day.
Happy Holidays!
🎄 Holiday Magic Awaits in Benicia! Just 35 minutes from SF: Discover waterfront concerts, unique local shopping, festive parades, wine walks, Victorian carolers, and visits with Santa. Make this season special in our historic bay town.
'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!
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 .
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 . 
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 .
