Fairfield

Fairfield is a city in northern California, situated in the Sacramento Valley between San Francisco and Sacramento. The settlement takes its name from Fairfield, Connecticut, the home town of its founder, Robert H. Waterman. Broad alluvial plains and coastal breezes from the Carquinez Strait fostered orchard cultivation and wine grape farming across the surrounding valley.

Robert H. Waterman, a clipper ship captain, founded the town in 1856 after purchasing acreage from a Mexican land grant. Solano County designated the community as its administrative seat in 1858 after Waterman donated property for public buildings. The California Pacific Railroad laid tracks through the district during the late 1860s, linking local grain farms to river wharves. A municipal charter incorporated the community during the early 20th century as commercial retail expanded. Travis Air Force Base opened during the 1940s as an air logistics installation, supporting transport aircraft and transpacific cargo operations.

Jelly Belly Candy Company produces fruit-flavored gourmet jelly beans, chewy gelatin drops, and dark chocolate malt balls. Anheuser-Busch brews packaged American lagers including Budweiser and Bud Light using select barley malt, rice, and filtered brewing water. Heretic Brewing Company brews craft India pale ales and Belgian-style abbey ales.

Rockville Hills Regional Park protects oak woodlands, volcanic rock ridges, and multi-use cycling paths across green hills. Suisun Marsh preserves tidal wetlands and migratory waterfowl habitats south of the city along coastal bays. Allan Witt Park features recreation ballfields and an indoor aquatics complex for community athletics. The Western Railway Museum operates restored electric streetcars and interurban passenger trains along a preserved historic railbed with vintage boarding platforms.