Between San Francisco And Sacramento Is A Charming California City With Lush Scenery

Road trips are more about the journey than the destination. The best and most memorable are ones that include fun side quests. Chasing the sunset while driving along a beautiful coastline, pulling over to experience odd tourist attractions, or going out of your way to find Instagram-famous photo ops are just a few hacks that make road trips so much easier.

A common and beloved West Coast road trip route takes travelers 88 miles on the I-80 from San Francisco to Sacramento in just under two hours. Travelers drive over the iconic Bay Bridge into Oakland then veer Northwest through Vallejo and into the Sacramento Valley all while being surrounded by amazing views of California's natural beauty. Though this drive is short compared to other road trip routes, there are plenty of places along the way to stop and make memories, including a town with the word "vacay" literally in the name, sort of. If you want a small reprieve that makes you feel like you've landed in Europe, Vacaville is the best place for an extended stopover.

This small town truly lives by its slogan, "Small. In a big way." What started as a farming town full of pioneers and adventurers is now a city brimming with charm. Located 34 miles from Sacramento and 54 miles from San Francisco (about 44 minutes and an hour by car, respectively), Vacaville has served as a popular pit stop for 75 years and is perfect for a quick day trip during your road trip. It consists of rustic businesses, attractions that honor the town's deep history, and expansive pastures of green, open space reminiscent of the Irish countryside, but with better weather.

If you long for a quiet retreat into nature, head to Peña Adobe and Lagoon Valley Regional Park, where you'll find over 470 acres of lush scenery that is sure to take your breath away. Here, you can spend a relaxing evening bird-watching while having a quiet picnic, hiking, biking, or walking along the many trails, treating your fur baby to a few hours in the dog park, or having family fun with archery or disc golf. If you want to observe Vacaville's natural beauty in its entirety, walk the easy, 3-mile Lagoon Valley Loop where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the lake, trees, and hills.

If you prefer history over nature, you'll love learning about the town's roots. The Vacaville Museum is the perfect place to trace the local heritage from the Patwin Tribe indigenous to the land to the city's farming roots after its establishment in 1851 to the modern city it is now. Here, you'll find artifacts from local inventors, memorabilia from famous monuments, and exhibits and educational programs that celebrate the city's legacy.

Afterwards, you can take the aviation enthusiasts in your family to The Center for Freedom and Flight to check out historic aircraft and memorabilia. Notable exhibits include iconic fighters that served the United States Navy and Marine Corps during World War II, a trainer aircraft that belonged to the Soviet Air Force, an original tractor biplane built in 1912, and more. The exhibits are rotated out routinely so visitors can keep coming and learn something new each time. Like Vacaville, this underrated small California town is also a great spot for outdoor adventures.

Vacaville is famous for its shopping scene, and there's no better place for a spending spree than the historic Nut Tree Plaza. Visitors will see that it's come a long way from its humble beginnings in the 1920s as a simple road stop and vintage entertainment venue. Now the plaza is filled with hip retailers and trend-setting restaurants, while maintaining its vintage vibes. But you don't have to drop hundreds on a designer brand to have a good time here. The real star of this charming plaza is a fairytale-like carousel, the perfect place to capture family road trip memories. Or, for $2 per person, you can take a spin on the original and lovingly restored train.

There are also plenty of places for unique, colorful cuisine at Vacaville. When you get hungry, you can find comfort food at Heritage House Café, upscale dining at Mäksē, and food with ties to the town's historical roots at Tacos Jalisco. If you're spending the night, you'll find a variety of affordable hotels to choose from. There are various inns and motels right by the Nut Tree Plaza so you won't have to go far after a night of shopping and dining.