Find Counselors Serving
Vacaville, CA

Frequently asked questions

Vacaville, CA

Vacaville is a city located in Solano County, California. Sitting about 35 miles (56 km) from Sacramento and 55 miles (89 km) from San Francisco, it is on the edge of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. The city was founded in 1851 and is named after Juan Manuel Vaca.

As of the 2020 census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386, making it the third-largest city in Solano County. Other nearby cities include Fairfield, Suisun City, Dixon, Rio Vista, Vallejo, Benicia, and Napa.

Vacaville is surrounded by the Vaca Mountains to the south and to the west and the Sacramento Valley to the north and to the east. A number of rare and endangered species occur in the Vacaville area. Endangered plants, which have historically occurred in the vernal pool areas in and around Vacaville include Legenre limosa, Plagiobothrys hystriculus, Downingia humilis, Contra Costa goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), and showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum). To this day Trifolium amoenum can still be found in Lagoon Valley Regional Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.6 square miles (74 km2), of which 0.74% is covered by water. Excluding the Putah South Canal and minor local creeks, the only significant body of water within the city is the 105-acre (0.42 km2) Lagoon Valley Lake. The unincorporated communities of Allendale and Elmira are generally considered to be part of "greater" Vacaville.

Prior to European contact, the indigenous Patwin tribe lived in the area with the Ululato tribelet establishing a chiefdom around the Ululato village in what is now downtown Vacaville along the Ulatis Creek.

The early settler pioneers of the land were Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca and Juan Felipe Peña, who were awarded a 44,000-acre (18,000 ha) Mexican land grant in 1842. The same year, Vaca and Peña's families settled in the area of Lagoon Valley. Peña's Adobe home is the oldest standing building, built in 1842, now at Peña Adobe Park.

Discussions for the sale of a portion of land to William McDaniel began in August 1850. A written agreement was signed on December 13, 1851, forming a township, nine square miles of land were deeded to William McDaniel for $3,000, and the original city plans were laid out from that. In the agreement, McDaniel's would name the new town after Juan Manuel Cabeza Vaca.

Health and wellness are paramount in Vacaville, with the city offering various amenities and services to support the well-being of its residents. The Vacaville Health Center stands as a cornerstone in providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Maximum Fitness, Vacaville Fitness and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Vacaville, such as the Peña Adobe Hill and Lagoon Valley Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Vacaville, CA are Vacaville Premium Outlets, Nut Tree Plaza, Andrews Park, and Vacaville Ice Sports. 

Population: 102,526 (2023). ZIP codes: 95687, 95688, 95696. Area code: 707. Elevation: 300 ft (90 m). Area: 29.42 sq mi (76.19 km2).

FAQs

Is Vacaville, CA a good city to live in?

Vacaville is in Solano County. Living in Vacaville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Vacaville there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Vacaville and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Vacaville are highly rated.

Why is Vacaville, CA famous?

At one time Vacaville was the fresh fruit capital of California, shipping fruit and nut products throughout the nation. These agricultural beginnings were reflected at the "Nut Tree" in Vacaville. Nut Tree began as a roadside fruit stand and grew to become a world-renowned restaurant complex that served as an oasis for travelers between the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento Valley for almost 75 years. Generations of families visited Vacaville and the Nut Tree, making it a true "icon" along I-80. Today, Vacaville is a vibrant community in one of the fastest growing areas of the nation and has become home to some of the largest and most successful life-science companies in the world, including Genentech, Alza, and Chiron.

What is the ethnicity of Vacaville, CA?

According to the 2020 United States Census, Vacaville had a population of 102,386. During the period 2015–2019, on average, 2.81 people lived in a household. The American Community Survey estimated the population identified as 50.5% non-Hispanic White, 24.8% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Black or African-American, 8.1% of two or more races, 7.8% Asian, 0.9% native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 0.7% American Indian or Alaska Native. The same survey estimated that 22.7% of the population was under 18 and 14% was over 65 years old.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Vacaville
Vacaville Health Center 

Vacaville Parks and Recreation Department

Maximum Fitness

Vacaville Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Peña Adobe Hill 

Lagoon Valley Loop

Vacaville Premium Outlets

Nut Tree Plaza

Andrews Park

Vacaville Ice Sports

Niche

Erieri

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.