Benicia
Benicia, a waterside city along the Carquinez Strait, briefly served as the state capital in 1853 and still retains much of it’s 19th Century small-town charm. Our overnight cruise takes us North through the San Francisco Bay and into the Carquinez Strait, passing under three dynamic bridges (Bay, Richmond and Zampa) and along the mostly wild North Bay waterfront.
An early afternoon arrival in Benicia leaves plenty of time for exploring the old-town shopping district along First Street, which offers antique shops, specialty boutiques, restaurants and more, all within blocks of the Benicia Marina. From May to October, on the first Friday of each month, the First Street merchants offer live music, outdoor seating, and a festival atmosphere. Thursday evenings during the summer months offer a Farmer’s Market, and the annual Benicia Peddler’s Fair (August) brings antique and collectibles dealers and other vendors out to the street to display their wares in booths that span the entire 11 blocks of First Street.
Enjoy your after-dinner drinks on Dragonfly and bed down in comfort to the gentle roll of the water. Next morning, take breakfast in old-town Benicia or head out for some water way adventures before returning to our home harbor. For multiple-day trips, the Delta is a nice cruise further inland, offering more sun and peaceful waterways.