Dixon

Dixon is a working agricultural town in Solano County, sitting about 23 miles southwest of Sacramento right off I-80. It was literally built around a railroad stop in 1871 when Thomas Dixons donated land for a station. That origin story still shows.

The downtown core has historic bones — the Carnegie Library and City Hall are both on the National Register of Historic Places. But look, this isn't a town that leans on its past for tourism. It leans on its fairgrounds and its fields.

Many residents are military families stationed near Travis Air Force Base, about 18 miles away. The vibe is genuinely small-town: neighbors wave at strangers from their cars, local kids grow up attending the same schools, and the May Fair is basically a civic holiday. Agriculture is everywhere on the edges of town.

Farms and orchards wrap around the city perimeter, and the world's largest corn maze is literally down the road. Dixon doesn't try to be something it's not, and that's actually refreshing compared to nearby towns that are chasing a brand.

The Dixon May Fair is treated like a major local holiday. If you're in town during that first weekend of May, just accept that everything revolves around it. Thrifty Thursday (May 7) is the local's go-to — $5 admission beats the weekend crowds..

Dixon residents take their agricultural calendar seriously. Cool Patch Pumpkins is a fall tradition for families across the region, not just a tourist draw. If you're here in October, the corn maze at 6150 Dixon Ave W is a genuine must-do, and locals will find it strange if you skip it..

The parade on May 9 is the oldest state-affiliated parade in California — 149 years in 2026. Locals position themselves early along the downtown parade route. Don't show up late expecting a good spot..

Car culture is deeply embedded here. Dixon has a Walk Score of 0/100, classified as 'car-dependent.' You need a car.

Full stop. Don't plan on walking or cycling between destinations unless you're staying very near downtown.. Military family culture is significant.

Travis Air Force Base is 18 miles away, and many residents have a military background. That context shapes the community's values and rhythms more than most visitors realize.. At the May Fair, West Coast Weenies is the corn dog stand locals swear by — order the Biggie.

It's not gourmet, but that's not the point.

Dixon is a generally safe small town, but it's worth being clear-eyed about it. The overall crime rate sits about 19% below the national average by some measures, though violent crime is slightly higher than the national average per capita. Property crime — vehicle break-ins especially — is the most common concern, particularly near the commercial zones around the I-80 interchanges in North Dixon.

The southeast part of the city is consistently rated the safest area. About 78% of residents say they feel safe walking alone at night. The Dixon Police Department is active and visible.

Standard sensible precautions apply: don't leave valuables in your car, especially near the North First St. corridor and shopping areas. The city has been cracking down on e-bike and electric scooter violations following a rise in accidents near schools, so if you're renting something with wheels, check local rules.

City Hall is at 600 East A Street; the police non-emergency line is 707-678-7070.

You need a car in Dixon. The Walk Score is 0/100 — that's not a typo. The good news is I-80 runs right through, putting Sacramento about 23 miles east and Davis about 9 miles away.

Vacaville is roughly 10 miles down the freeway. The city runs Dixon Readi-Ride (707-678-5020), a dial-a-ride curb-to-curb transit service operating within city limits. Call at least one business day ahead for time-sensitive trips.

It doesn't run on weekends and service wraps up around 4pm on weekdays — so don't count on it for evenings or Saturday errands. For trips outside Dixon, the Solano Transportation Authority connects to broader county transit. Amtrak serves the broader region with Capitol Corridor trains running through nearby Davis and Sacramento.

If you're driving from the Bay Area, take I-80 East to Exit 60 at Midway Road for the Fairgrounds area. From Sacramento, Exit 66A for CA-113 South gets you into central Dixon. Parking in town is generally easy and free.

The fairgrounds charge $10 per vehicle cash only during events.