Vacaville, California Neighborhoods

Vacaville is a city located in Solano County in Northern California, situated halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco. With a population of over 100,000 residents, Vacaville has grown significantly over the past few decades and now contains dozens of unique and vibrant neighborhoods. Here is an in-depth guide to the major neighborhoods that make up this diverse city.

Downtown Vacaville

History

Downtown Vacaville is the heart of the city and contains the original downtown area that was established in the mid-1800s. The city was founded when Washington Township was established by William McDaniel in 1850 and originally named “Vaca Ville” after the nearby Vaca Mountains. The downtown emerged as a central hub for commerce and civic activity, anchored by the old Town Square.

Character & Attractions

Today, Downtown Vacaville retains much of its historic small-town charm and community atmosphere. The main attraction is the Vacaville Town Square, with its gazebo, urn fountain, and open green space where many community events take place. Other landmarks include the Vacaville Opera House, Vacaville Museum, Vacaville Public Library, and Old Town Hall.

Shopping in the downtown includes boutiques, antique stores, cafes, and restaurants housed in preserved historic brick buildings. The area hosts a popular weekly Farmers Market on Saturdays, drawing crowds from across the region.

Neighborhoods

• Old Town District: This is the core original downtown centered on Town Square with the most historic preserved buildings.
• Parker Street District: Located just south of Old Town, this area has buildings from the early to mid-1900s and antiques shops.
• Merchant Street District: To the west of Old Town, this neighborhood has a variety of retail stores and restaurants.
• Monte Vista District: This residential area adjacent to downtown has beautiful Victorian and craftsman homes.

Vaca Valley Area

Overview

The Vaca Valley area refers to the neighborhoods on the eastern side of Vacaville, closer to the Vaca Mountains and I-80 corridor. This area saw significant growth in the late 20th century with suburban-style residential subdivisions and shopping centers.

Neighborhoods

• Allison-Brown: Large master-planned community built in the 1990s/2000s made up of suburban tract homes, parks, and schools.
• Foxboro: Adjacent to Allison-Brown, this neighborhood also consists of suburban single-family homes built in the 1980s/90s.
• Alamo Creek: One of the city’s newer neighborhoods with homes constructed in the 2000s.
• Vaca Valley Shopping Center: Large outdoor shopping mall on Hanson Road with major retailers like Target and Best Buy.

Nut Tree Area

History

The Nut Tree area gets its name from the historic Nut Tree restaurant, amusement park, and nut company that operated there from 1921 to 1996. This helped anchor the surrounding community that emerged in the mid-20th century.

Character & Attractions

Today the Nut Tree Center has been redeveloped into an open-air mall and entertainment complex with shopping, dining, movies, parks, and events. The Nut Tree Airport is also located here. Neighborhoods around the Nut Tree area feature mid-century suburban homes along tree-lined streets.

Neighborhoods

• Nut Tree: This neighborhood surrounds the Nut Tree Center and has homes built primarily in the 1950s/60s.
• Elmira: Located next to the airport, this neighborhood has contemporary suburban homes built in the 1980s onward.
• North Village: Newly developed community of modern suburban-style homes built in the 2000s.

West Side

Overview

Vacaville’s West Side refers broadly to the area west of I-505. It includes residential developments, retail centers, medical offices, and civic facilities that expanded outward as Vacaville grew.

Neighborhoods

• Brown Street Corridor: Stretch of Brown St home to shopping centers, medical offices, government buildings and apartment complexes.
• Midtown Corridor: Developing retail corridor along Merchant St near major retailers like Walmart.
• Pheasant Run: Master-planned community built in the 1990s/2000s with single-family homes, a golf course, and Clubhouse.
• Regency Park: One of Vacaville’s first residential subdivisions, built in the 1960s and 1970s. Home to a popular outdoor community pool.
• Vanden: Named after nearby Travis Air Force Base, this area has residential neighborhoods developed from the 1960s onward.

Rural Residential Neighborhoods

In addition to the main neighborhoods within the city limits, Vacaville has several residential communities in the surrounding rural areas of unincorporated Solano County. These offer a quiet countryside lifestyle while still being proximate to the city.

Neighborhoods

• Elmira: A rural residential area along I-80 east of the city with large lots and semi-estate homes.
• Allendale: Suburban community south of the city limits with homes built primarily in the 1990s/2000s.
• Vacaville Hills: Semi-rural neighborhood nestled in the hills south of the city limits with custom homes on larger lots.
• English Hills: Master-planned golf course community in the hills west of the city with upscale homes and a country club.

Demographic Profile of Major Neighborhoods

Neighborhood	Population	Median Age	Median Household Income
Downtown	2,860	39	$63,012
Vaca Valley	17,210	35	$86,301
Nut Tree	6,150	42	$102,615
West Side	23,400	36	$72,402
Rural Residential	5,300	46	$112,013

Moving to Vacaville Neighborhoods

When moving to Vacaville, choosing the right neighborhood that fits your lifestyle and needs is an important decision. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Budget – Housing prices can vary significantly across Vacaville’s neighborhoods, with more affordable homes in Vaca Valley vs higher prices in Nut Tree and Rural Residential areas.
• Lifestyle – Do you want an active downtown or suburban feel? Proximity to open spaces and recreation? Access to shopping and dining? Consider neighborhoods that align.
• Schools – Those with families should research school options and quality when choosing neighborhoods. Downtown has the oldest schools while newer areas like Allison-Brown have newer campuses.
• Commute – Look at proximity to your workplace. Neighborhoods like Nut Tree offer quick highway access while downtown allows walking and biking around town.
• Amenities – Compare amenities like parks, pools, trails, shopping and civic facilities offered in each neighborhood.

No matter your lifestyle and budget, Vacaville has diverse neighborhoods to call home. Take time to explore the different areas to find your perfect fit.