Vacaville, California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of Vacaville, California | |
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| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | California |
| County | Solano |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Len Augustine |
| Area | |
| - City | 27.1 sq mi (70.1 km²) |
| - Land | 27.1 sq mi (70.1 km²) |
| - Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - City | 88,625 |
| - Density | 3,272.7/sq mi (1,263.6/km²) |
| Time zone | Pacific (UTC−8) |
| - Summer (DST) | Pacific (UTC−7) |
| Website: http://www.cityofvacaville.com | |
Vacaville, California is located in Solano County, California, between Sacramento and San Francisco. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 88,625. According to the Community Development Department of the City of Vacaville, the total population as of 2005 was 96,735. The city was founded in 1852 by William McDaniel and named after Juan Manuel Vaca, who had received a substantial land grant from Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo.
The city was a Pony Express stop and was home to many large produce companies and local farms which flourished due to the Vaca Valley's rich soil, including The Nut Tree. Today the city is known for its retail shopping and its annual Vacaville Fiesta Days and Onion Festival. Other nearby cities include Fairfield, Napa, Dixon, Suisun City and Winters. The University of California, Davis campus is located about 20 miles to the northeast. The unincorporated Allendale and Elmira are generally considered to be part of Vacaville.
ZIP codes: 95687, 95688, 95696 (Nut Tree)
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[edit] Geography and environment
Vacaville is located at 38°21'14" North, 121°58'22" West (38.353810, -121.972683)GR1. No other source places the city at 38° 21' 44.17" North, 121° 57' 57.78" West (38.36227, -121.96605). There are a number of rare and endangered species in the Vacaville area. Endangered plants which have historically occurred in the vernal pool areas in and around Vacaville include Legenre limosa, Plagiobothrys hystriculus, Downingia humilis, Contra Costa Goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), and Showy Indian clover (Trifolium amoenum).[1] However, Showy Indian clover is now thought to be extinct throughout Solano County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 70.1 km² (27.1 mi²). Approximately 100% of the area is land. Excluding the Putah South Canal and minor local creeks, the only significant body of water within the city is the 105 acre Lagoon Valley Lake.
[edit] Demographics
As of the 2000 censusGR2, there are 88,625 people residing in the city. The population density is 1,263.6/km² (3,272.3/mi²). There are 28,696 housing units at an average density of 409.1/km² (1,059.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 72.11% White, 10.02% African American, 0.97% Native American, 4.18% Asian, 0.45% Pacific Islander, 6.74% from other races, and 5.53% from two or more races. 17.88% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 28,105 households, 20,966 are families: 41.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% are married couples living together, 12.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% are non-families. 19.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.83 and the average family size is 3.24.
The median age is 34 years, and the age distribution of the population is rather spread out: 27.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 35.4% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who are 65 years of age or older. However, the sex ratio is higher than the national average. For every 100 females there are 118.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 124.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $57,667, and the median income for a family is $63,950. Males have a median income of $43,527 versus $31,748 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,557. 6.1% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.4% of those under the age of 18 and 4.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
When compared to cities of similar size, Vacaville ranks third in having the lowest crime level, and first in Northern California, due in part to its large police department.[1]
[edit] Industry
Vacaville is a growing biotechnology/pharmaceutical hub with facilities operated by Large Scale Biology Corporation, Genentech, ALZA Corporation, Chiron Corporation, and Durect Corporation.
[edit] Sports and recreation
Vacaville offers plenty of opportunities for athletic and recreational activities, from youth leagues to bowling to golf.
[edit] Youth sports
City youth sports organizations and their contact numbers include:
- American Little League baseball: 421-5225
- Bobby Sox softball: 421-5210
- California Baseball League: 330-2454
- Central Little League baseball: 429-6399
- Fox Gymnastics Center: 452-1118
- IceSports Vacaville skating center, 455-0225
- National Little League baseball: 438-1222
- Pony Baseball: 761-2829
- Pony Baseball, lower division (ages 7-12): 448-1871
- Solano County AAU baseball, 689-0516
- Sports Center of Excellence (soccer): 451-7723
- Vacaville Youth Soccer League: 447-8975
- Vaca National Junior Basketball: 435-0850
- Vacaville Wrestling Club: 447-6642
- Vacaville Swim Club: 447-1676
- Wildcat wrestling club: 447-5787
- Youth Football Bengals: 421-5597
- Youth Football Bulldogs: 448-6603
[edit] The Thunderbirds
Vacaville also is home to the Solano Thunderbirds, a college summer baseball league, featuring top players from universities across the country. The team competes in the California Coastal Collegiate League and plays in Travis Credit Union Park, 50 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville. Tickets: Thunderbirds Ticket Office: 455-4444. Office open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Contacts: General manager Bruce Gallaudet; Manager Phil Swimley.
[edit] Golf courses
Within 10 miles of Vacaville are several public golf courses open for play seven days a week, including:
- Cypress Lakes Golf Course (private-military), 5601 Meridian Road, Vacaville: 448-7186
- Green Tree Golf Course, 999 Leisure Town Road, Vacaville: 448-1420
- Paradise Valley Golf Course, 3950 Paradise Valley Road, Fairfield: 426-1600
- Rancho Solano Golf Course, 3250 Rancho Solano Parkway, Fairfield: 429-4653 Napa
A bit longer drive encompasses several other public courses, including:
- Chardonnay Golf Club, Highway 12 between Napa and Fairfield: 257-8950
- Napa Municipal Golf Course Kennedy Park 2295 Streblow Drive: 255-4333.
- Eagle Vines, 580 South Kelly Road: 257-4470 Rio Vista
- Rio Vista Golf Club, 1000 Summerset Drive, Rio Vista: 374-2900 Suisun
[edit] Cycling
Cycling enthusiasts have options as well, with many well-traveled routes that offer fun for recreational riders and some challenging circuits for advanced riders. Contact:
- Monticello Cycling Club: 448-2122
- Solano Family Cycling Club: 422-2453
[edit] Bowling
Vacaville has a state-of-the-art bowling facility which features a café, pro shop and full-service sports bar. Stars Recreational Center is at 155 Browns Valley Parkway, Vacaville, 455-7827.
[edit] Professional Sports
Within a one-hour drive from Vacaville, you can see a collection of pro sports team, including:
- San Francisco 49ers — National Football League, Candlestick Park, state Highway 101, San Francisco
- Oakland Raiders — National Football League, Network Associates Coliseum, Interstate 880, 66th Avenue exit, Oakland
- Oakland Athletics — American League Baseball, Network Associates Coliseum, Interstate 880, 66th Avenue exit, Oakland
- San Francisco Giants — National League Baseball, AT&T Park, state Highway 101, South San Francisco.
- Sacramento River Cats — Minor League Baseball, Class AAA, Pacific Coast League, Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Drive, West Sacramento
- Sacramento Kings — National Basketball Association, Arco Arena, Interstate 5, Del Paso Road exit, Sacramento
- Golden State Warriors — National Basketball Association, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland
- Sacramento Monarchs — Women’s National Basketball Association, Western Conference, Arco Arena, Interstate 5, Del Paso Road exit, Sacramento
[edit] Education
The city of Vacaville is served by two unified public school districts, a community college district, many private schools and colleges.
[edit] Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
The Vacaville Unified School District, headquartered at 751 School St., Vacaville, 95688-3945: 453-6100 (phone); 453-6999 (fax), Web site: www.vacavilleUSD.org, includes the following campuses:
- Alamo Elementary, 500 S. Orchard Ave.: 453-6200
- Alternative Education Program, 100 McClellan St.: 453-7306
- Browns Valley Elementary, 333 Wrentham Drive,: 453-6205
- Cooper Elementary, 750 Christine Drive: 453-6210
- Edwin Markham Elementary, 101 Markham Ave.: 453-6230
- Eugene Padan Elementary, 200 Padan School Road: 453-6235
- Fairmont Elementary, 1355 Marshall Road: 453-6240
- Hemlock Elementary, 400 Hemlock St.: 453-6245
- Jean Callison Elementary, 6261 Vanden Road: 453-6250
- Orchard Elementary, 805 N. Orchard Ave.: 453-6255
- Sierra Vista Elementary, 301 Bel Air Drive: 453-6260
- Vaca Pena Middle School, 200 Keith Way: 453-6270
- Willis Jepson Middle School, 580 Elder St.: 453-6280
- Buckingham Charter Magnet High School, 188 Bella Vista Road, Suite B: 453-7300
- Country High School, 100 McClellan St.: 453-6215
- Vacaville High School, 100 Monte Vista Ave.: 453-6065
- Will C. Wood High School, 998 Marshall Road: 453-6900
- Adult Education, 100-A McClellan Street: 453-6018
[edit] Travis Unified School District
The Travis Unified School District, located at 2751 DeRonde Drive, serves Vacaville and Fairfield, 437-4604 (phone), 437-8267 (fax), Web site address: www.travisusd.k12.ca.us. Its Vacaville campuses include:
- Cambridge Elementary, 100 Cambridge Drive, Vacaville: 446-9494
- Foxboro Elementary, 600 Morning Glory Drive, Vacaville: 447-7883
Its campuses serving Vacaville secondary students are:
- Golden West Middle School, 2651 De Ronde Drive, Fairfield, 437-8240
- Vanden High School, 2951 Markley Lane, Fairfield, 437-8270
- Travis Education Center: 2775 DeRonde Drive, Faifield, 437-8265
[edit] Private Schools
Private institutions with campuses in Vacaville are:
- Bethany Lutheran Preschool and Day School, 621 S. Orchard Ave., 451-6678; Elementary school, 1011 Ulatis Drive, 451-6683
- Faith Academy (independent), 490 Brown St., 446-8684
- Notre Dame Parochial School, 1781 Marshall Road, 447-1460
- Vacaville Adventist (Seventh-day Adventist), 4740 Allendale Road, 448-2842
- Vacaville Christian Schools, 1117 Davis St., 446-1776
[edit] Colleges and Universities
Solano Community College Vacaville is served by the Solano Community College District, which has a main campus at 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Suisun 94585: 864-7000; www.solano.edu. For general information, call 864-7000. It operates two community centers, where classes are held. In Vacaville, call 446-2900. In Vallejo, call 642-8188.
Other Colleges & Universities
- California Maritime Academy, 200 Maritime Academy Dr., Vallejo, 654-1000, www.csum.edu. This academy, a campus of The California State University, offers accredited degrees in business administration, marine transportation, facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, and mechanical engineering.
- Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1310 Johnson Lane, Mare Island, 94592: 638-5270, www.tucom.edu, is affiliated with Touro College. It has sister campuses in New York, Israel and the Russian Federation. Using classroom and clinical teaching, service to the community, and research, Touro focuses on the preparation of osteopathic family physicians in primary care.
- Chapman University has a campus at 4820 Business Center Drive, Suite 100 Fairfield 94534: 863-0990, and on Travis Air Force Base, 437-3327.
- The University of Phoenix offers classes at 370 Chadbourne Road, Fairfield, 207-0750
[edit] Trivia
- Vacaville has the highest per capita concentration of electric cars in the world, giving it the nickname "Voltageville".[2]
- Actor Jon Voight filmed The All American Boy in Vacaville.
- Rock band Papa Roach appeared in the documentary MTV:The Road Home, filmed in Vacaville. It included shots of the local high school and various stores through the town.
[edit] Famous residents
- Eva Benson Buck, philanthropist (Buck Foundation)
- Cong. Frank Buck
- Edwin Markham, poet ("Man with the Hoe")
- Willis Linn Jepson, botanist
- George Duke, professional boxer (who once beat Bobo Olson)
- Casey Sheehan, Awarded Bronze Star w/Palm Fronds posthumously for actions in Iraq on April 4, 2004
- Papa Roach, Nu-Metal Band
- Holly Stell, Cross-over Opera Singer (Sang with Andrei Brocelli)
- Vincent "Vince" Newsome, NFL Professional Football Player, LA Rams;Cleveland Browns. See bio: [3]
- Jermaine Dye, Professional Baseball Player, 2005 World Series MVP with the Chicago White Sox
- Dennis Alexio, Professional Kickboxer
- Stefan Janoski, Professional Skateboarder
- Jarrett Bush- NFL player, Green Bay Packers #24 (2006)
- Anjelica Selden- Pitcher for UCLA softball team
- Vinnie Langdon-Director/Actor
[edit] Line note references
- ^ Environmental Assessment for the Green Tree Assessment District, Earth Metrics Inc Report 7690, City of Vacaville, March, 1989
[edit] External links
- City of Vacaville
- Vacaville Conference and Visitor's Center
- The Reporter - Vacaville Newspaper
- Nut Tree
- Historic Downtown Vacaville
- Bethany Lutheran School
- CBS Vaca Mountain Web Cam
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
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Solano County, California County Seat: Fairfield |
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| Incorporated places |
Benicia • Dixon • Fairfield • Rio Vista • Suisun City • Vacaville • Vallejo |
| CDPs | |
| Other unincorporated communities |
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Part of the Travis Unified School District
