West Vallejo - Vallejo, CA

Vallejo called itself the capital of the state of California twice in the past, briefly, in the mid-19th century. Vallejo was named after a Mexican military officer from Spain named General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. He was primarily responsible for helping to settle the area and played a huge part in keeping the peace when Californians rose up against Mexican government officials in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846. He eventually agreed California should be annexed by the United States.

Many of the historic buildings in Vallejo were built to accommodate the U.S. Navy, which has had an extensive history in the area. More can be learned about the navy’s involvement in the history of Vallejo at the Vallejo Naval Historical Museum, which exhibits specifically the naval history of the city of Vallejo as well as that of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Restaurants featuring all types of cuisines abound in the neighborhood, including Vietnamese, Mexican, American, barbecue and Indian. You will also find plenty to do at night in Vallejo.

Head over to Food Basket, a market and deli selling hard-to-find Cajun style foods. Combine Dutch crunch bread with jerk chicken for a meal you won’t forget. This family-owned establishment serves Boar’s Head meat and cheeses for sandwiches, along with ingredients for Cajun meals, including red beans and rice.

For friendly staff, meat-filled ravioli and pizzas piled high with ingredients such as spicy sausage, pepperoni, salami, mushroom and olives, Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant will be your go-to. Order a giant calzone stuffed with pesto, chicken and bacon, for those extra hungry nights, or gluten-free pizza crust and California influenced fare, like the barbecue chicken pizza from the extensive menu.

On chilly California nights, locals head out to sip on pho. You can’t go wrong with steaming chicken broth and fresh veggies from Pho1 Noodle House. At night, Vallejo residents head out to Empress Theatre for live performances or to Town House Cocktail Lounge for a dog-friendly bar with friendly bartenders and live entertainment, including comedians and local musicians. With karaoke and open mic nights as well as $3 per pint specials, Town House has something for everyone.

In Vallejo, it’s best to drive, though some residents commute to San Francisco using the ferry. SolTrans, a public transportation system serving Solano County area, connects residents with BART transfer points at the Westfield Solano Mall in Fairfield, the Sereno Transit Center, the Vallejo Transit Center and a few BART locations in Contra Costa County, selling fares for as low as $1.75 for a single ride. In addition, a clipper card can be bought and loaded with an amount that will give you access to transportation all over the greater Bay Area, from Vallejo to San Francisco to San Jose.

By car, access Interstates 780 and 80 for travel outside Vallejo. Walking is safe in many neighborhoods in West Vallejo, but most people don’t travel on foot. Although you will find bike shops and bicyclists in Vallejo, most bike for fun as an outdoor sport, not for commuting. Many streets have bike lanes — you can find route maps easily on sites online, including Map My Ride.

Uber does not service Vallejo currently, but the city does have a taxi program for senior citizens for discounted rates through SolTrans. Parking can be found for free throughout the city. Paid waterfront parking is available for those in the downtown area wanting to take the ferry across the Bay to San Francisco.

No shortage of free parks will be found in Vallejo. Whether you crave an outdoor romp with your dog or a visit to the hot springs the area was long ago known for, there’s something for everyone here. Enjoy playgrounds, a huge slide, a sulfur pond filled with ducks and fish and behold the beautiful decked out display of the peacocks walking the grounds at Blue Rock Springs Park.

If you’re craving a fitness-based outing, hike, bike, roller blade or jog at The Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve.

Wilson Park will be your go-to for baseball, with lots of viewing stands, as well as a covered area behind the home plate for watching the game. Ample parking and restrooms are both available on site.

Enjoy free Tai Chi in the park at Vallejo City Park, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. One of the oldest parks in the Western United States, Vallejo City Park dates back to 1868.

Be sure to attend the free NorCal Pirate Fest — a giant gathering of festivities related to pirates — taking place in June, or watch as 13,000 rubber ducks are floated down the waterfront in July during the annual Duck Derby.

Living in Vallejo comes in all around less expensive than living in other areas of the Bay Area, with rent for a one-bedroom averaging $1,064, less than half the cost of an apartment in the East Bay Area or the San Francisco Bay Area. Gas prices run 22 percent more than the national average. Beer at a local pub comes in as low as $3 at the most popular dives. A single trip to the city center using SolTrans will cost you $1.75.

In Vallejo, you will have immediate access to a number of big chain stores, mostly clustered on Plaza Drive, including Bed, Bath and Beyond, Marshall’s, Target and Costco. You’ll find many of the best boutiques clustered in the downtown area of Vallejo on Georgia Street.

Independently owned Class Act Boutique specializes in fancy beaded purses, shawls, and necklace/earring sets, as well as some clothing. Risk Sneaker Boutique has the style and fashion sense of a shop you would find in the high-end Haight Street District of San Francisco, specializing in skateboard fashion, including shoes, boards and clothing in brands including Chuck and Stussy.

Grocery stores in the neighborhood include Safeway and Raley’s, which has a large organic and gluten-free food selection, as well as carries produce from local farms. The Vallejo Farmer’s Market, held every Saturday, has vendors selling everything from fresh barbecue to kettle corn and produce from local farmers.