Benicia, CA

On the weekends in college, I would make the drive down to San Jose from Davis to visit the parentals. Because that trip was weekly, it became pretty routine. I didn't have to think about where I was or where I was going. I was on autopilot. But, there was one section of the ride home that I always looked forward too. As you drive past Benicia, one would easily be able to notice a strange odor coming from Valero's oil refinery. I drove past it so many times, that I will remember the smell forever.

 And...are you ready for a strange Lesley-fact?

Off-putting smells make me incredibly hungry.

That's right: full garbage bins, skunks, poopy diapers, and...oil refineries all cause me to crave delicious, scrumptious, filling food. And, of course, I always give in to my desires. Hence, me looking forward to driving by Benicia every weekend.

Anyway, I have never ventured through Benicia, so, Diana and I decided it would be fun to explore one of Solano County's waterside cities. Don't worry, though, we brought some trail mix to appease my appetite.

And, did you know that Benicia served as the State Capitol from 1853-1854, it includes a former United States Army armory, and it has that small-town, historic charm that sweeps me off my feet? So, you know what the means. Historical landmark after historical landmark after historical landmark. Yay!

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Benicia Barracks Site
The marker is confirmed missing, though! Where did it go?

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Benicia Arsenal marker 1

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Benicia Arsenal

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Commandment's Home
Absolutely stunning home

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Clock Tower
The first stone fortress in the far west

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Gen. Quandt Lane

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Site of Benicia Seminary
Birthplace of Mills College

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Site of First Protestant Church in California

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: First Masonic Hall Built in California

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: 1854 - Saint Pauls Episcopal Church - 1954

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Kullman House

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Hayes Building

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Royal Bakery

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Fischer - Hanlon House

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Old State Capitol

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ADV 215: Visit a State Park: Benicia State Historic Park

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: The Bohn Building

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Stumm Jewelry Store

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Solano Hotel

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Merritt House C. 1869

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Salt Box House

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Port Costa Lumbar Yard

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Benicia Historic Tannery Circa 1890

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Alamo Room

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Jack London Haunts

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Transcontinental Railroad Depot

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Jack London

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Pony Express Ferry "Carquinez"

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ADV 19: COBR 7 Ride a bike.