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Vacaville, California

Situated halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along I-80, Vacaville was founded as an agricultural community and became famous for its fruit orchards and the Nut Tree restaurant, a beloved roadside attraction for decades. Today it's a growing suburban city that blends small-town character with proximity to two major metros.
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Founded 1851 | Population 107,500 | Peak 107,500 (2024) | County Solano County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Vacaville, California

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1851 Founded: William McDaniel settled the area, naming it for Juan Manuel Vaca who held the original Mexican land grant.
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1892 Fruit Industry: Vacaville became a major fruit-shipping center, with orchards producing peaches, cherries, and almonds.
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1921 Nut Tree: The Nut Tree fruit stand opened, eventually becoming one of California's most famous roadside attractions.
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1942 Travis AFB Nearby: Travis Air Force Base was established nearby, becoming one of the largest military airlift bases in the country.
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2006 Suburban Growth: Vacaville experienced rapid residential growth as Bay Area commuters sought affordable housing along the I-80 corridor.
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Latest News in Vacaville

Mar 22, 2026
Parolee with Prior Double-Murder Conviction Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Killing of South Los Angeles Woman
LOS ANGELES—A man previously convicted of two murders in 1998 was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole …
Mar 16, 2026
Study: Cannabis Ineffective for Most Mental Disorders
A major review of past studies has delivered a clear verdict on the role of cannabis-based medicines in treating mental health and…
Mar 16, 2026
Investigator Exposes $170M Fraud in California
Investigator Nick Shirley has brought to light a massive $170 million fraud scheme operating within California, representing a sig…
Mar 15, 2026
NYPD Captain Arrested for Assaulting Alleged Child Predator
NYPD Captain Kai Bowen is now facing serious legal repercussions following an off-duty incident that escalated into violence. Repo…
Mar 13, 2026
What’s Behind Trump’s Push to Revive California Oil?
The Trump administration’s directive to Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez oil unit in California represents a s…
Mar 10, 2026
CBS Investigation Reveals Hospice Fraud Hotspot in Los Angeles
CBS News has exposed a troubling epicenter of hospice fraud in Los Angeles, California, shedding light on a systemic issue that ha…

Complete Historical Timeline

1851 Culture
Founded
1892 Business
Fruit Industry
1921 Culture
Nut Tree
1942 Government
Travis AFB Nearby
2006 Culture
Suburban Growth

Did You Know?

1
Vacaville means 'Cow Town.'.
2
Nut Tree was one of CA's most famous roadside stops.
3
Between Sacramento and Bay Area on I-80.
4
Vacaville is located in Solano County, California.
5
Vacaville was founded in 1851.

Famous People from Vacaville, California

BM
Bonnie McKee
Actor, Composer · Born Jan 20, 1984 · Age 42
TN
Tawny Newsome
Writer, Comedian · Born Feb 24, 1983 · Age 43
WJ
Willis Linn Jepson
Botanical Collector, Botanist · Born Aug 19, 1867 · Died Nov 7, 1946 (age 79)

Other Cities in California

View all California cities →
LA
Los Angeles
Pop. 3,898,747
SD
San Diego
Pop. 1,386,932
SJ
San Jose
Pop. 1,013,240
SF
San Francisco
Pop. 873,965
F
Fresno
Pop. 542,107
S
Sacramento
Pop. 524,943
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