Discover Historic Benicia

The city of Benicia, the “jewel” of the Bay Area, invites you to visit our historic community, offering small, hometown charm. You’ll enjoy our beautiful waterfront location enhanced by a variety of specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, and a thriving marina. There is something for everyone in Benicia. Please join us for a day, a weekend, or perhaps a lifetime.

A California Main Street

Benicia is one of 40 cities selected to participate in the California Main Street Program.
Each year, Main Street sponsors many community events and retail promotions which bring thousands of visitors to Benicia’s downtown. Main Street is a state and national network of grassroots downtown revitalization projects that focus on historic preservation and the enhancement of the downtown area. For more information on this non-profit, volunteer organization, call or visit the Benicia Main Street Office at 90 First Street, (707) 745-9791.

Historic Downtown

Downtown Benicia is rich in California’s history with over 30 historical points of interest in the downtown area. Among its landmarks, the restored State Capitol is the most notable, dating from 1853. The historic downtown provides over a mile of unique specialty shops, antique stores, and fine restaurants. As you explore the many facets of Benicia, you’ll notice the Victorian inspired homes and “false-front western” architectural examples that date back to the 1850’s and up to the turn of the century. Many of these buildings have been beautifully restored while new commercial developments compliment the old town charm.