Lagoon Valley Recreational Park Vacaville, California

When traveling, we often miss some of the best places to visit simply because they are not well known or advertised. They are the kind of places we would never know existed unless we accidentally stumbled on them or lived in the local area. Just off Interstate 80 on the South end of Vacaville, California is the Pena Adobe exit. Here you will find a surprising, hidden retreat from the busy traffic jams of I-80: Lagoon Valley Recreational Park.

What makes Lagoon Valley Park so special?

There are 470 acres in this park that are available for local residents and weary road travelers alike. As you pull off the freeway and cross the road into the hidden park, the first thing you realize is how beautiful and natural it is. The marsh at the entrance welcomes you with the sound of croaking frogs filling the spring air. As you drive past the marsh, on the left is a secluded parking lot where your party can picnic by a gentle creek along a grassy knoll.

Further down the road to the right is a 30,000 sq. ft. dog park completely fenced in. There are many trees in the enclosed area, along with plenty of water for your pets and trash receptacles. Just past the dog park is a large parking lot equipped to handle the largest RV or bus.

Here you can comfortably pull in and park for a short rest, or spend the day exploring all the amenities the park has to offer. There are several bike trails perfect for mountain biking in Lagoon Valley District Park. There are also a great many hiking trails that lead into the surrounding hills Or for a more leisurely activity, you may choose to play a game of horseshoes, paddle on the lake in a non-motorized boat, or laze the day away fishing. The park is also suitable for horseback riding.

One of the best surprises in the park is the number of ducks and geese ready to greet all visitors. At different times of the year you will encounter hundreds of various ducks and geese such as brightly colored mallards, white farm geese, and stately black and white Canadian geese.

In the spring you will be delighted to see broods of chicks following behind their mothers. All it takes is a toss of a few breadcrumbs and you will find yourself surrounded by very friendly fowl of all shapes and sizes including several local bird varieties such as the stunning red-winged black bird.

The park is the perfect place for a picnic and has several grassy areas equipped with picnic tables; many are in covered areas to keep visitors cooler during the hot summer months... or shelter you from the rain during the winter. There are also ample restrooms scattered throughout the park.

If you plan a trip that will take you through Northern California, make a stop to Lagoon Valley Recreational Park in Vacaville, California as part of your travel plans. The entrance fee is only $3, making this an inexpensive reprieve from traveling, or a great place to spend the day relaxing before you hit the road again.

Sources:

http://www.cityofvacaville.com/departments/community_services/facility_rentals/parks.php