WILDLIFE & OPEN SPACES

The Natural Beauty of Vacaville

The city of Vacaville sits at the interface of two unique habitats; the flat Great Valley and the gentle slopes of the Coastal ranges. This transition zone is called an ‘ecotone’ and is characterized by an increase in biological diversity. In other words, nature is never far away from Vacaville. A casual stroll along the Creekwalk in downtown may provide a glimpse of a snowy egret or the splash of a beaver tail!

Vacaville has what is termed "Mediterranean climate." The majority of the average of 17.39 inches of rainfall occurs during the mild winter months of November through March. Summer drought turns the green hills of Vacaville to gold as is depicted on the city logo. The surrounding hills protect Vacaville from coastal fog, so Vacaville may be drier and warmer than surrounding communities.

The open fields just off Hwy 505 on the North East side of Vacaville burst into color in the spring. Located in these fields are unique habitats, called vernal pools, which form as the winter rain collects in the clay soil basins of Vacaville. 

With the warming temperature of spring and the gradual evaporation of the water, plants dormant in the dry summer burst into startling gold, blue and purple colors. These plants are unique to this transitory habitat. Tiny invertebrates hatch from the soil to inhabit these pools. Amphibians emerge from the soil to add to the rich nighttime melody. The appearance of these animals attracts predators to the area; garter snakes, red tailed hawks and the occasional coyote.

Visitors and residence alike are sometimes kept awake in the spring at night by the song of the lovesick male Northern Mockingbird. During the rest of the year, this large, grey bird mimics other bird’s songs, squeaky gates, and even construction equipment sounds! But the spring prompts the male mockingbird to sing for hours, day and night to attract a mate.

Nighttime also brings out other visitors. Sometimes making nighttime raids on unattended pet food bowls in Vacaville are Opposums. This interesting animal is the only marsupial north of Mexico. Its young are born hairless and continue to develop in a pouch on the mother’s abdomen. Also spotted around town near waterways are raccoons and in Lagoon Valley, North American River Otters can be spotted.


Though undeveloped, Vacaville’s Open Space in the Brown’s Valley (Map it) area provides vistas and plenty of space to wander. The easiest access to find is located at the end of Vaca Valley Parkway. The large, dark birds soaring overhead on a clear day are turkey vultures. These birds catch rising hot air called thermals to carry them up in the sky to look for carrion. At the south end of the open space is an old rock quarry. Use caution when hiking in the spring, because the city also uses the open space for cattle grazing. Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes and cougars, which also inhabit the area.


The lagoon at Lagoon Valley Park (Map it) is a bird watcher’s paradise. Migratory water fowl; white pelicans, black American Coots, Double crested cormorants, Greater Scaup can be viewed in the water. Frequently, double crested cormorants can be viewed drying out its’ wings in the trees on shore. The shore is also home to redwing blackbirds in the reeds and by the spillway on the north side of the lake are hundreds of barn swallows swooping in the air catching insects. Flocks of Canada geese are year round residents of the lagoon as are the domestic geese.

There are two routes to Lagoon Valley Park. A short drive West on I-80, exit at Pena Adobe (Map it) and drive south to the park. There is an honor system fee collected at the park. The other route is at the end of Butcher road off of Alamo Street. Park in the gravel parking lot and look for the 1.25 mile paved trail that starts just north of the parking area.

This trail parallels the freeway and can sometimes be noisy, so stop at Hume Grove and sit under the Coastal Redwoods planted there and relax. The redwoods, although not native to the area are still impressive. The trail meanders through the hills over to the Lagoon Valley. The hills in this area still bear remnants of the orchards (fruit and later, nuts) that covered most of the hills surrounding Vacaville from the late 1800s until the middle of the 20th century.

For a walk on the wild side, the Butcher Road route is also the starting point for a hike into a hillside populated by native Oaks, Willows and Buckeyes. About 50 feet or so from the gate on the paved trail is a gravel trail to the left. This trail crosses over Alamo Creek on a newly constructed bridge and leads to a large collection basin for flood control purposes. At the top of the collection basin, bear left. Notice the plants growing at the edge of the gravel. This is a noxious weed called Yellow Star Thistle. This weed is toxic to livestock and inflicts painful scratches to unsuspecting hikers.

After traveling on this basin trail for about a quarter of the way, look left for a trail leading up into the hills. This undeveloped and strenuous trail will take you past native Buckeyes and several species of native oaks. Interior live oaks are unique from other oak species in that they are evergreen.


Oaks and Buckeyes trees were an important food source to the Native Americans that inhabited the area before Europeans and Americans arrived. The Native Americans collected the nuts and ground them in depressions in the rock. Before eating, the meal needed to be washed thoroughly to leach out the bitter tannic acid. Look for wild flowers like California poppies and Lupines with their characteristic palm-shaped leaves.


Take caution when hiking in this area! The trails are steep, uneven and slippery when wet. All trails in the area are shared with mountain bikes and horses.

Vacaville is a wonderful place to experience nature, whether hiking in the hills or walking on pavement. Get out and enjoy!

Contributor:
Beverly Morlock is the Nature-Environmental Education Program Specialist for the City of Vacaville.