Fairfield California is a scenic city located in the heart of Solano County. Beginning as a tiny frontier village in the 1850′s, it has dramatically expanded to its present population of 103,600. However, Fairfield hasn´t lost its small town friendliness, charm or values. It can now offer its residents high quality of life, reasonably priced California homes, diverse business opportunities, and a variety of cultural and recreational activities. And all the amenities of major metropolitan areas are just a short drive away. It would be hard to find a better place to live, work or visit!
Fairfield Location
Fairfield is located in Solano County, in the Vallejo-Fairfield metro area, half way between Sacramento and San Francisco. Fairfield is located approximately 37 miles southwest of Sacramento. San Francisco is 39 miles southwest and Oakland is 33 miles south of Fairfield. Fairfield is only 8 miles away from Vacaville and 15 miles from Vallejo. I-80 is the main interstate highway that travels north and south through the city.
Fairfield Geography
Fairfield occupies 37.7 square miles of fairly level land in the northeast San Francisco Bay Area and the western edge of the Central Valley, California’s agricultural heartland. The terrain includes grasslands, oak woodlands, wetlands and riparian areas, with views of the nearby Mayacmas Mountains.
Fairfield Jobs
As the County Seat of the state’s fastest growing county, Fairfield has a diverse, bustling economy. The city has a prime location, outstanding transportation networks, and available land for office, industrial and commercial use. It has access to a young, diverse and well-trained labor force and proximity to universities and training centers. Over 5.4 million square feet of retail, office and industrial development has been developed here since 1995. A wide range of manufacturing, light industry, back office, distribution, and research and development firms are located in Fairfield.
The major employers in the area are Anheuser-Busch, Alza Corp., Genentech, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Northbay Medical Center, Six Flags Marine World, Colano Community College, Solano County, Sutter Solano Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, Valero Refining Co, and WestAmerica Bank.
The median income in Fairfield is $73,900, and the average time to travel to work is 29 minutes.
Fairfield Homes
Fairfield has a number of available housing options. There are new single-family residences, older, established homes, and condominiums. In east area, the prices of Fairfield homes for sale have increased significantly, with the median price now at $430,000, and the upper range at $873,500. West Fairfield homes price have gone up as well, bringing the current median price to $564,000, and the highest priced homes go for $1,500,000.
Fairfield Recreation
Fairfield offers a network of parks with jogging and biking paths within and around the city that provide year-round opportunities for hiking, picnics and other outdoor activities. There are a total of 26 parks and recreation centers, including Linear Park, which has a trail converted railroad bed. Almost every neighborhood in the area has its own park. Rockville Hills, a regional park encompassing 616 acres, is the largest regional park in Solano County, and exists in its preserved natural state.
There are two championship golf courses in Fairfield. Rancho Solano Public Golf Course features an 18-hole course built to championship specifications, set in a scenic valley with beautiful rolling hills. Paradise Valley Golf Course is a championship 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Muir Graves. The facility was voted into the top 20 public golf courses in northern California. The Cypress Lakes Golf Course, located in nearby Vacaville, is a championship course that is known to be one of the most challenging courses in the area. It is open only to military personnel, family and guests.
Recreational activities for all ages are available at the Fairfield Sports Center, and through the Fairfield Community Services Department. Softball, volleyball, basketball, yoga, and tai chi are some of the activities offered. Swimming pools, lighted tennis courts and a roller rink are there to be enjoyed by all.
Fairfield Special Attractions/Events
Fairfield enjoys art and world-class performances at its 360-seat Center for Creative Arts. In October every year, the Center hosts “Haunted,” an event spanning two weekends, during which the theater becomes home to a variety of spirits, ghouls, witches and goblins!
The newly renovated Community Center is another Fairfield cultural facility, offering arts, crafts, dance, music and nature study programs.
Fairfield´s Certified Farmers Market features mouth-watering fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery items, honey and other agricultural products every summer.
The Tomato Festival is celebrated on the second Saturday in August every year, and the Candy Festival happens on the second Saturday of October. At the Candy Festival more than 20 candy companies participate.
Throughout the year there are factory tours of the Anheuser-Busch and Jelly Belly factories.
Other Fairfield festivities include a Chili Cook-Off and Car Show, Holiday Night of Lights, Independence Day Parade, and Veterans Day Parade.
Fairfield is just minutes away from the scenic Napa Valley which is the heart of wine county in northern California and just a half hour drive to Marine World, Africa USA, and the Sacramento River.
Fairfield Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
The earliest known inhabitants of the Fairfield area were the Indians who settled in the Rockville and Green Valley areas.
In 1810 Gabriel Moraga, the first known white man in the area, was sent by the Spanish to lead an army in an attack against the local Suisun Indians, who eventually retreated.
In 1842 Suisun Chief Solano sold the grant to the Fairfield tract of land, which he had been given, to Mexican General Vallejo for $1,000. In 1850 the same grant was sold to A.A. Ritchie and Captain Waterman for $50,000.
In 1856 Captain Waterman named the area Fairfield, after his home in Connecticut. It was formally incorporated as a city in 1903.
Fairfield is the birthplace of great sports superstars; Charles Thomas, a major league baseball player for the Oakland A´s; Damon Hollins, a major league baseball player for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays; Dave Ball, an NFL player for the San Diego Chargers; Blake Sholberg, a college basketball player for the St. Mary’s (CA) Gaels; and Joe Tucker, a college basketball player for the Fresno State Bulldogs.
