Your Complete Benicia Holiday Shopping & Dining Guide 2024

Visit Benicia

'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:


Art

Benicia is home to one of the largest artist communities in the Bay Area, with many art galleries and shops to explore.


The Little Art Shop showcases an impressive collection of local artists' work, featuring everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and prints. It's the perfect place to find a unique piece that speaks to your art lover's soul.


For a hands-on creative experience, visit Artcentric Pottery Painting and Glass Studio. They offer ready-to-paint pottery pieces and glass fusion projects - perfect for creating personalized gifts or enjoying a creative afternoon with friends and family.

Discover more local artists and galleries in our 
Arts & Culture directory!

(Image Courtesy of: The Little Art Shop)


Home Decor

Le Sparkly Chateau offers an enchanting collection of vintage-inspired decor, French country furnishings, and unique home accessories. Their carefully curated selection includes everything from elegant chandeliers to charming tableware.


Succulents And More offers a delightful blend of desert plants and unique home accessories, perfect for bringing natural beauty indoors. Their expert staff provides care tips and custom arrangements to ensure your gift thrives in any environment.

Browse our complete Home & Design 
shopping guide!

(Image Courtesy of: Le Sparkly Chateau)


Gourmet

Need to refuel during your holiday shopping? Benicia's unique eateries have you covered. The Workshop transports you to the French Quarter with authentic Cajun-Creole dishes like jambalaya, po'boys, and their famous Saturday beignets.


Got Plate Lunch serves up hearty Hawaiian comfort food, with generous portions of kalua pork and chicken katsu that'll fuel your shopping expedition.


At Izakaya, unwind with traditional Japanese small plates and fresh sushi in an intimate setting. Their carefully curated sake selection perfectly complements their menu.

Gift the joy of local dining with a 
Shop Benicia eGift Card, perfect for the food lovers on your list. 

Check out the full list of Benicia's restaurants 
here!

(Image Courtesy of: The Workshop)


Fashion

Pink Arrows Boutique offers contemporary women's fashion with a coastal California vibe. Their carefully selected collection includes everything from casual wear to special occasion pieces, plus accessories and jewelry.


Elisa's Cottage brings European charm to Benicia with its selection of vintage-inspired clothing, accessories, and gifts. Their unique pieces and personal shopping experience make finding the perfect gift a delight.

Find more fashion boutiques in our 
shopping guide!

( Image Courtesy of: Collektive Boutique )


Toys & Comics

Toys & Comics Mozart, Earhart, and Me is a whimsical wonderland of educational toys, creative playthings, and games that inspire imagination. From classic wooden toys to the latest STEM learning tools, they've got something for every young mind.


The Eisner Award-nominated Zeppelin Comics is your destination for comic books, graphic novels, action figures, and collectibles. They offer everything from the latest superhero adventures to rare vintage finds.

Check out all our specialty shops 
here!

(Image Courtesy of: Mozart, Earhart, and Me)


Make It a Benicia Holiday

Whether you're searching for the perfect gift or treating yourself, Benicia's charm shines brightest during the holidays. Join us for special shopping events:


  • Black Friday: November 29, 2024
  • Small Business Saturday: November 30, 2024



Can't decide? Shop Benicia eGift Cards are accepted at 60+ local businesses, from boutiques to restaurants. Give the gift of choice and let your loved ones create their own Benicia adventure.

Purchase eGift Cards
 and explore more at VisitBenicia.org


Happy Holidays from Visit Benicia!

By Visit Benicia November 28, 2024
🎄 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.
By Visit Benicia November 24, 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 October 26, 2023
HAUNTED HISTORY: BAY AREA GHOST HUNTING!
By Visit Benicia October 4, 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 September 28, 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 September 28, 2023
Family Fall-Tastic: Five Events, One Day!
By Visit Benicia September 7, 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 July 5, 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 June 7, 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 April 27, 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 !
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