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Solano County is located between San Francisco and Sacramento (approx. 45 miles from both). It is a county of gentle hills and flat lands that has transformed from farming and industry into homebuilding and suburbia. This change over the last 30 years has increased the population from 169,941 in 1970 to 405,800 in 2002, an almost 250% increase. The county's median household income is $60,400 and projections for the year 2020 include a population of 547,400 and a median household income of $75,000.
The orientation of the residents has also changed in the past 3 decades. Where residents at one time lived and worked solely within Solano County, today, Interstate 80 and 680 serve as vital links for commuters traveling to work centers in San Francisco, Sacramento, Contra Costa County and other parts of the Bay Area. A re-transformation, however, is rapidly occurring in Solano County. A booming population combined with the county's interest in attracting jobs to build local prosperity is the reason a 63% job growth in the next 16 years is projected.
Vacaville is host to a budding biotech industry anchored by Genentech, in addition to a large complex of retail outlets. Fairfield is home to Travis Air Force Base, which absorbed operations form bases that were closed after the Cold War ended. With the war against terrorists, Travis may see its role expanded. Currently the base employs 16,400 military and civilian personnel. In one form or another, government accounts for thousands of jobs in and around Fairfield.
The city also has landed banks, shops, and several manufacturing plants. Vacaville is host to a budding biotech industry anchored by Genentech, in addition to a large complex of retail outlets. With plenty of open land, close proximity to the urban centers of San Francisco and Sacramento, and land prices that are lower than elsewhere, Solano County finds itself in a unique setting for development.
Once the Carquinez Strait is crossed, home prices drop dramatically, when compared to San Francisco and Contra Costa. The median price of a single-family home in Solano County is $321,130. It is $543,000 and $380,000 in San Francisco and Contra Costa County respectively.
Northern Californians have a window of opportunity to either own a first time home, move up to a bigger home, or invest in a luxury residence.
Schools
Public Schools - Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
Laurel Creek Elementary School
2900 Gulf Drive, Fairfield
(707) 421-4291
Dover Middle School
301 East Alaska Avenue, Fairfield
(707) 421-4145
Fairfield High School
205 East Atlantic Avenue, Fairfield
(707) 438-3016
Private Schools
Accolade Christian School
844 Jackson, Fairfield
(707) 422-3314
Calvary Baptist (K-12)
600 Gregory St., Fairfield
(707) 422-7037
Holy Spirit Elementary (K-8)
1050 N. Texas St., Fairfield
(707) 422-5016
Solano Christian Academy (K-8)
2200 Fairfield Ave., Fairfield
(707) 425-7715
Colleges & Universities
-Solano Community College, Fairfield
-University of California, Davis
-University of California, Berkeley
-Sacramento State University
Shopping
- Solano Mall, Fairfield. Largest indoor shopping center in the county. Macy's, Mervyn's, JC Penney, Sears plus 150 specialty stores.
- Factory Stores at Vacaville, 321-2 Nut Tree Road.
130 stores offer outlet prices on a wide variety of merchandise. One of the largest shopping areas in northern California. Just a short drive up I-80.
- Citywide Shopping. There are many small shopping complexes situated throughout the city in addition to those mentioned above.
- Restaurants and eateries such as Red Lobster, Marie Calendars, Fairfield Landing, and Fresh Choice can be found in downtown Fairfield.
Entertainment & Recreation
Things to Do Nearby
- The Sierra Nevada is just three hours away and offers skiing, snowboarding, and other snow recreation in the winter, and hiking and camping in the summer, spring and fall.
- San Francisco and Sacramento are within an hour's drive of Vacaville and offer city nightlife as well as concerts, museums, and fine dining opportunities.
- Six Flags - Marine World - Vallejo. A large recently expanded theme park offering rides, restaurants, and an up-close look at lions, tigers, elephants, seals, whales, dolphins, etc. in their natural habitat and in wildlife shows
- Solano County Fairgrounds - Vallejo. Hosts the annual Solano County Fair. Also, hosts horse racing.
- Blue Rock Springs Golf Course - Vallejo. Two challenging 18 hole courses
- The Delta - Boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, houseboating.
Things to Do in Fairfield
- The Herman Goelitz Candy Co.- sold 7.2 billion Jelly Belly beans in 1994. Also make gummy worms, bears, rats and spiders. Open for tours and tasting.
- Scandia - A small amusement park with and arcade and mini train.
- Youth sports programs including soccer, baseball, and basketball.
- Center For the Performing Arts
- Summer Tomato Festival
- Farmers Market
- Air Force Museum
- Annual Travis Air Show
- Skating rink
- Gym center
- Thirteen parks
- Forty tennis courts
- Public and club pools
- Movie complexes with a new one on the way
- Seniors center
- Many softball teams that draw about 8,000 players annually
- Paradise Valley Golf Course
- Rancho Solano Golf Course
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The Crown
The Meridian
The Crescendo
The Promontory
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