Shaded playgrounds and parks in Fairfield

Fairfield's summer water day: water slides, a lazy river, and a zero-depth activity pool for littles at the city aquatic complex - the county's best pool day without a theme-park ticket.

The candy factory tour: self-guided walkways above the real production floor, jelly bean art, and free samples at the end - a genuine only-in-Solano stop kids talk about for weeks.

Fairfield's sprawling neighborhood park: three separate play areas spread across big lawns with sports fields and a creek path - enough space that it never feels crowded.