The Essential Vacaville Picnic Guide

En Plein Air Special Event (April 12th & 13th):

Plan ahead for En Plein Air, a special two-day event on April 12th & 13th! This is going to be an amazing art event for the whole family; however, there will not be food vendors on-site, which gives you the perfect reason to plan a spring picnic!

This is a BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) event, so here are some great places to grab the tastiest packed lunches around. La Borgata is a fantastic option! Ask anyone, and this is one of the top three places a local Vacavillian will direct you to. Their ingredients are always fresh, and their dishes are prepared with care, delivering a truly flavorful experience that will keep you coming back for more. Another great choice is Digger's Deli. Known for its epic sandwich combos, this exceptional deli uses top-quality ingredients and is conveniently located for a quick and delicious meal. However, sometimes you crave a bite to eat that you’ve thoughtfully prepared yourself. If that's the case, stop by The Nugget for all your picnic food needs. They offer a fantastic deli section, along with a wide selection of cold drinks, fruits, nuts, and everything you need to create the perfect sandwich. Set up shop in a picturesque location and enjoy a meal made just the way you like it!

Things to Think About When Planning a Picnic

The Location:

Location, location, location! Location is key when planning your ideal picnic, and Vacaville is home to some of the most amazing outdoor spaces perfect for every type of picnic. The ideal spot for your picnic depends on your needs. If you’re looking for more space and family-friendly activities, your best bet is one of our beautiful parks. Andrews Park, Meadowlands Park, Arbor Oaks Park, and North Orchard Park are all wonderful options right here in town.

For a short, 5-minute drive west of town, Lagoon Valley and Peña Adobe Regional Park offer even more space and recreational opportunities. (Click here for our guide to the park.) These parks provide plenty of room for disc golf, football, soccer, and even a dog park for your furry family members.

If you’re after a more scenic picnic, hike to the top of one of the hills in Lagoon Valley Park for stunning panoramic views of the entire valley or a bird's-eye view of the city. Plan your picnic for later in the day to catch one of our breathtaking sunsets!

The Food:

There are so many options when it comes to picnic food. Whether you are planning for a full charcuterie board or packing takeout from one of our local restaurants you can have a delicious meal with a view!

The easiest and fastest way to picnic would be to order takeout and take it with you to your picnic spot. With all our restaurants offering takeout options you will have no problem having just what you are craving on your picnic. Keep in mind that certain foods are easier than others to eat while on a picnic. If you are planning on a picnic on a hill after hiking then perhaps packing a sandwich from Ike’s, La Borgata, or Mr. Pickles. Planning an easier picnic without much hiking? Ordering takeout from Merchant and Main, Los Reyes, or Pietro’s would all be excellent options.

PRO TIP: Check out the Vacaville Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in Downtown and pick up all the snacks for a picnic in one place. Get food ready to eat or pack breads and hummus or fruits and other delicious goodies. The Farmers Market is right next to Andrews Park for an easy and convenient Saturday morning picnic. Or pack all your goodies from the Farmers Market and take them over to Lagoon Valley Park and have a nice morning picnic overlooking the water!

The essential picnic packing list:

Picnic Blanket

The Bigger, the Better! A big blanket is necessary if you plan on laying out and having plenty of room to relax and not touch the ground. Have you ever heard someone say:” I wish I had a smaller blanket”? We haven’t either. Big and easy to clean is must.

Plenty of Water

It can be hot outside this time of year. So, It's super important to stay hydrated especially if your picnic includes a hike. Plan on the safe side and pack more than enough water for your picnic.

Sunblock and Bug Spray

If there are two things that are unavoidable at a picnic it’s the sun and bugs. Do not let a sunburn ruin your picnic and don’t let the bugs bite and pester you away. Long sleeves help and can be fine for a hike and short picnic but if you plan on being out for an hour or more play it safe and use both sunblock and bug spray.

Paper Towels and Utensils

You do not want to be caught empty-handed during a picnic when you just had a delicious sandwich or burrito and do not have anything to clean your hands. Pack plenty of napkins or paper towels, wet wipes if you can find some. Make sure you pack enough utensils too. The lest thing you want is to be on the top of a hill ready to chow down and realize you don’t have a fork!

Picnic Basket or Backpack

A picnic basket is not necessarily essential to a great picnic but it does help! Packing your picnic can be done in many ways but what is important is that you do it in a way that your food and beverages do not spill. A backpack can do this job too so long as you take care in how you package your food and carefully arrange it.