At one time, family-friendly Vacaville was the fresh fruit capital of California, shipping fruit and nut products throughout the nation. Now Vacaville is more well-known for its numerous community events, a fantastic theatre, some of the best shopping the Bay Area has to offer, a quaint, fun downtown and well-maintained parks and athletic facilities.

Our proximity to the Sacramento region and beyond, including Lake Tahoe, the San Francisco Bay Area, and world-renown wine producing regions such as the Suisun, Napa and Sonoma valleys make Vacaville an attractive location to spend a night, a week, or the rest of your life.

Starting with what's known as "The Heart of the City," Downtown Vacaville has a wide array of shops, restaurants, and spas. Town Plaza hosts a variety of entertainment year-round, while nearby Andrews Park is home to numerous events throughout the year. Residents and visitors alike flock to the area for live music, festivals and cooking competitions. A wide array of local restaurants offers something for almost any palate, from pasta to sushi, and a 16- screen theater provides first-run movies. For more details on what's happening in Downtown Vacaville, visit DowntownVacaville.com.

If you're a true shopaholic, Vacaville is a great place to satisfy your need. The Nut Tree has transformed from a sleepy orchard with a fruit stand to a fun shopping and dining area. From beauty supplies to home furnishings to clothing for young people and adults, the Nut Tree has a lot to offer, plus any number of restaurants to satisfy those hunger cravings. Plus, the famous Nut Tree train is available for rides throughout the day, while a merry-goround offers another fun option for young and old alike. For more info, visit NutTreeUSA.com.

Just across Interstate 80 visitors will find the Vacaville Premium Outlets - PremiumOutlets.com - home to some of the most popular stores in the world and all offering great discounts. A little further down the road, the Vacaville Commons Shopping Center offers even more shopping, plus great restaurants. VacavilleCommonsShoppingCenter.com.

A center for Solano County history, the Vacaville Museum is the only institution whose mission includes cultural and historical preservation for all of Solano County and continuously promotes the value of community heritage. The Museum is open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with docent-led tours for school groups and other large groups available Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Admission donation to the Museum is $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and $1 per student for school tours. To find out more, visit VacavilleMuseum.org.

But maybe you just want to spend a day in the park, riding a bike, playing catch with your kids, or even ice skating. With a variety of large and small parks scattered throughout the City, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. And if you do fancy a spin on the ice, the City's ice rink is open year-round for the public to enjoy. For more info on the parks and other facilities available, visit the City's website at CityofVacaville.com.

To see a listing of the many restaurants, events and accommodations available in Vacaville, visit the Vacaville Conference and Visitors Bureau website at VisitVacaville.com.