Travel

Journeys of Discovery: Benicia CA, an arts, culture and history haven 25 miles from SF

KCBX | By Tom Wilmer

Published February 24, 2017 at 2:18 AM PST

California's 3rd State Capital 1853-54 in Benicia, California

Benicia is situated along Carquinez Strait at the mouth of the Sacramento Delta, 35 miles from San Francisco. Benicia was established before the 1848 California Gold Rush. By 1853 it served briefly as California’s State Capital. Join Docent Mike Caplan at the State Historic Landmark; artist Mark Eanes at Arts Benicia, and Nancy Martinez, Executive Director of the Benicia Main Street Program.

Benicia’s classic Greek Revival, sandstone and brick State Capital building, with fluted columns remains as California’s only surviving pre-Sacramento State House.

Benicia's California State Capital 1853-54

Situated just off First Street in the heart of old town Benicia, the old Capital has been restored to original condition, including vintage desks, quill pens, spittoons, and whale oil lamps on the walls.

A California State Historic Landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Capital is a step back in time to the heyday of the California Gold Rush era.

Masterfully restored California State Capital 1853-54 in Benicia, California

Come along and join State Park docent, Mike Caplan for a walking tour of the old capital. Benicia is located 35 miles from San Francisco between San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay.

For further information about the historic Benicia State Capital State Historic Landmark and historic Benicia, log on to visitbenicia.org

Subsequent to the closure of the US military’s Benicia Arsenal back in 1964, a developer proposed to repurpose the former military installation as an artist live-work community.

Today there are more than 50 artists who maintain live work studios in former military warehouses dubbed Arts Benicia.

Artists meet at the Benicia Arsenal

Mark Eanes (Right), Jeff Tover (Center), Larnie Fox (Left) meet at Eanes’ studio at the Benicia Arsenal
Credit Jack Wolf

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Mark Eanes is an instructor at the California College of Arts in Oakland, California, and an Arts Benicia Board Member.

Larnie Fox, a former Executive Director of Arts Benicia, and Jeff Tover, an Arts Benicia Board Member and working artist, will join the conversation about the artists’ life at the Arsenal and Arts Benicia’s ongoing programs that include exhibitions, classes for adults, art experiences for kids, open studios and more.