Benicia Main Street: First Street

Discover Downtown Benicia

Discover Historic Beniciawaterfront-promenade

The “jewel” of the Bay Area, the city of Benicia, invites you to visit our historic neighborhood, offering charming little hometowns. Enhanced by a number of specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, and a thriving marina, you’ll enjoy this spectacular waterfront location. In Benicia, there is enough for everyone. For a day, a weekend, or even a lifetime. 

A California Main Street

Benicia was one of 40 towns initially chosen to participate in the Main Street Initiative of California. Main Street sponsors many community activities and retail promotions each year that bring thousands of tourists to downtown Benicia. Main Street is a state and national network of downtown grassroots revitalization programs focused on historic restoration and downtown area enhancement.

Historic Downtown

With over 30 historical points of interest in the downtown area, Downtown Benicia is rich in the history of California. The renovated State Capitol is the most prominent among its landmarks, dating from 1853. Over a mile of exclusive specialty shops, antique stores, and fine restaurants are offered in the historic downtown. You can note the Victorian-inspired houses and “false-front western” architectural examples that date back to the 1850s and up to the turn of the century as you explore the many aspects of Benicia. Many of these buildings have been beautifully restored, while the old city charm is complemented by modern commercial projects.

Thoughts of Benicia Main Street

Benicia Main Street is located at the end of First Street near the water. The building stands independently and has the happenings of Benicia inside. They sell Benicia-related trinkets for a small fee, local wine, beautiful local art, and photography, and even See’s chocolate.

Most significantly, they organize events like the Benicia Ghost Walk and promote activities like the Benicia Artists Open Studios. They have maps and a knowledgeable person working that will answer questions you have. If you ask more about the Ghost Walk, you’ll learn that it was a one-time event that drew so much attention they changed to make it reoccurring.  Many locals say that it’s very popular and not just focused on ghost-hunting, but that it tells a lot of history as well. Sounds awesome!

The small room here is worth stopping in if you’ve walked all the way down to the water. The building is cute too!