Lori's Guidebook
Wine Experiences
A few of my favorite spots to enjoy wine...
Wonderful Wine Bar Downtown Benicia. Lynne is a welcoming host and owner.
6 locals recommend
The Chill - Benicia Wine Bar
362 1st StWonderful Wine Bar Downtown Benicia. Lynne is a welcoming host and owner.
Black Stallion Winery
4089 Silverado TrailAbsolutely delicious wines and tastings.
Absolutely love Caymus (the Wagner Family's) wines! Make a reservation through yelp. $50 Tasting includes the glass, may be waived with purchase, but this is not guaranteed (I would ask).
8 locals recommend
Caymus Vineyards
8700 Conn Creek RdAbsolutely love Caymus (the Wagner Family's) wines! Make a reservation through yelp. $50 Tasting includes the glass, may be waived with purchase, but this is not guaranteed (I would ask).
The private tasting is phenomenal. There is a variety of wines to taste, I prefer the high end. But the experience is great at any level. Walk over to Rutherford Grill for lunch!
7 locals recommend
Beaulieu Vineyard
1960 St Helena HwyThe private tasting is phenomenal. There is a variety of wines to taste, I prefer the high end. But the experience is great at any level. Walk over to Rutherford Grill for lunch!
If you've ever tasted their Chardonnay, you love Frank Family. They only pour Reserves at the Winery, so that's pretty special!
16 locals recommend
Frank Family Vineyards
1091 Larkmead LnIf you've ever tasted their Chardonnay, you love Frank Family. They only pour Reserves at the Winery, so that's pretty special!
Live Music Venue
all kinds of music is played in the courtyard here and it's always a joy to walk downtown and check out the tunes ... no cover charge!
Lucca has Live Music often in the courtyard. Their food is also delicious. For more of a dining evening, you might make a reservation, then venture outside if music is playing...great for weekend brunch as well.
43 locals recommend
Lucca Bar & Grill
439 1st StreetLucca has Live Music often in the courtyard. Their food is also delicious. For more of a dining evening, you might make a reservation, then venture outside if music is playing...great for weekend brunch as well.
Josh is an outstanding bartender, the owner Debra is accommodating. Very cool vibe with live music often, delicious drinks and bites. Take the bar hopper home (just be sure to tip) if you've had anything to drink. You can leave your car downtown or walk downtown (which I love to do!).
25 locals recommend
The Rellik Tavern
726 1st StJosh is an outstanding bartender, the owner Debra is accommodating. Very cool vibe with live music often, delicious drinks and bites. Take the bar hopper home (just be sure to tip) if you've had anything to drink. You can leave your car downtown or walk downtown (which I love to do!).
Delicious food and a wonderful host, Gaby. Music is often playing in the courtyard. Definitely worth a visit.
Union Hotel
401 1st StDelicious food and a wonderful host, Gaby. Music is often playing in the courtyard. Definitely worth a visit.
Food scene
Delicious and inviting experience. Prix Fixe Menus are really nice to try and right on the water of course. High end.
28 locals recommend
Bella Siena
127 1st StDelicious and inviting experience. Prix Fixe Menus are really nice to try and right on the water of course. High end.
Delicious food at a reasonable cost. My favorite is Pasta Ambrosia -chicken mushroom specialty (you can request even if it's not on the menu). The homemade Spaghetti is definitely worth a try and wait until you try their bread and tapenade-YUM!
7 locals recommend
Venticellos Ristorante Italiano
911 1st StDelicious food at a reasonable cost. My favorite is Pasta Ambrosia -chicken mushroom specialty (you can request even if it's not on the menu). The homemade Spaghetti is definitely worth a try and wait until you try their bread and tapenade-YUM!
Spectacular views from all areas of the restaurant. My favorite spot is either fireplace in the winter, or outside on the Patio or in the Cabana's for the summertime. Delicious fresh fish, no corkage, so bring your favorite bottle from your day of wine tasting.
73 locals recommend
The Dead Fish
20050 San Pablo AveSpectacular views from all areas of the restaurant. My favorite spot is either fireplace in the winter, or outside on the Patio or in the Cabana's for the summertime. Delicious fresh fish, no corkage, so bring your favorite bottle from your day of wine tasting.
Family Fun
Just minutes away...a wonderful amusement park. If you're part of the Six Flags family, your pass works here as well.
132 locals recommend
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
1001 Fairgrounds DrJust minutes away...a wonderful amusement park. If you're part of the Six Flags family, your pass works here as well.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
1950 Waterworld PkwyFun Family Outings only 20 minutes away...
https://www.sonomaraceway.com
Always something fun to do...wear or bring earplugs! And layer...you never know if it will be extremely hot or if the wind picks up, be prepared for a fun day!
35 locals recommend
Sonoma Raceway
29355 Arnold Drhttps://www.sonomaraceway.com
Always something fun to do...wear or bring earplugs! And layer...you never know if it will be extremely hot or if the wind picks up, be prepared for a fun day!
Best Breakfast
Genuine Huevos Rancheros and strong coffee. Love to walk down to Java, sit outside, stroll the streets, then UBER or LYFT home unless you're adventurous enough to walk uphill home! Delicious, unpretentious and a hidden gem.
8 locals recommend
Java Point Cafe
366 1st StGenuine Huevos Rancheros and strong coffee. Love to walk down to Java, sit outside, stroll the streets, then UBER or LYFT home unless you're adventurous enough to walk uphill home! Delicious, unpretentious and a hidden gem.
Neighborhoods
Great for families, friends, delicious wineries and restaurants. Local shopping. 30-40 minute drive.
166 locals recommend
Sonoma
Great for families, friends, delicious wineries and restaurants. Local shopping. 30-40 minute drive.
Wonderful wine tastings and restaurants. Highly recommend Caymus, BV, Black Stallion and Frank Family.
219 locals recommend
Napa Valley
Wonderful wine tastings and restaurants. Highly recommend Caymus, BV, Black Stallion and Frank Family.
Hiking, exploring, dining, visiting galleries and artist studios along with antiquing, wonderful place to visit! Benicia was the original capital of California, the original building has tours available downtown.
36 locals recommend
Benicia
Hiking, exploring, dining, visiting galleries and artist studios along with antiquing, wonderful place to visit! Benicia was the original capital of California, the original building has tours available downtown.