Arts + Rec Events

Weekly, Tuesdays at 9:15 am
There are occasional Thursday hikes
Drop-in group
Meet at the Trail Head

by Rolando Salazar

The Walking Buddies hasn’t been on a walk to Benicia in some time, but members, Debbi and Dave LaDue are planning to lead one for us in the next couple of months. Cheryl Douglas led us on a similar one to the Benicia Waterfront and historical buildings last time.

This was Cheryl’s route: The walking loop began with water views at Benicia Point parking lot, the site of a Southern Pacific Train Depot. As we walked up First Street, we noted a few historic buildings such as the Jurgensen Saloon, a Jack London haunt.

The walk then took us through neighborhood streets where we glimpsed 19th and early 20th century homes. At E St., we turned west to a Bay Trail segment, which meanders to G St and 2nd St. Turning west on Semple, we headed to a path that led us along the water to the end of H St. From there, we crossed an empty lot to I St, turned west to follow the road and path to W 5th St. We turned right and walked J St. to 3rd, turned left, and walked to K St to head east. We stopped to admire the Queen Anne Victorian Fish-Riddell House (c1900). Then we continued on K St. to the Benicia Park where bathrooms are available.

Continuing east, we crossed 1st St. and turned right, pausing after one block to view the Kullman House, a colonial Revival house, St. Paul’s Rectory, built in 1790 and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. We continued south on 1st and encountered the Singler Barber Shop and Royal Bakery.

To see the State Capitol, California’s oldest remaining capitol, we turned right at G St. Then we headed east on G St. to 2nd St., turned left, and then right on H St. to continue to 5th St. Once there, we headed south to Turnbull Park. After walking to the end of Turnbull, we returned to the Benicia Point parking lot by circling the marina. Some of us ate lunch at one of the bayside cafes.