Huckleberry's

A small sandy beach on the Carquinez Strait with a kayak launch and a playground, where kids can get their feet wet on a delta shore.

A big community-built playground with towers, bridges and slides, in a park with lawns and shady picnic spots.

First Street's bakery-cafe: croissants, sandwiches, and showpiece pastries (their seasonal bread sculptures draw crowds). A Benicia morning ritual with kids in tow.

Benicia's old-school pirate-themed pizza parlor in Solano Square: counter-order pies and a casual room where nobody minds a loud table, the easy team-dinner answer.

Benicia's 1880s historic hotel on First Street, with period rooms above the waterfront strip.

A small inn two blocks from First Street, with suite-style rooms steps from the waterfront and bakeries. Guests 12 and older only.