Vallejo, California

So – are you a wine person or a dolphin person? Not to worry, Vallejo has something for each type of person – and more.

Vallejo, with a population of about 116,760, is located at the mouth of the Napa River on San Pablo Bay. The city is named after General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, and served as the state capital of California in 1852 and 1853.

Vallejo is home to attractions that draw people from far and wide. At Six Flags Marine World, "America's only combination wildlife park, oceanarium and theme park," you can ride a roller coaster, take in a show, or – if you're really adventurous – get "interactive" with a sea lion or a dolphin in the animal park. The Solano County Fairgrounds are also in Vallejo, and offer numerous attractions and events devoted to the local culture. And for betting types, the Fairgrounds also offer horse racing.

Music lovers can take in one of the concerts given by the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra. And if your taste runs a bit more modern, the free Friday Night Bands Concert Series that take place on the beach bandstand might be the place to be in a warm summer's night.

Because of the city's proximity to California's Napa Valley, a weekend getaway to wine country is always an option when living in Vallejo. You might decide to take a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train or, if you're not afraid of heights, you might hop onto a Napa Valley Balloon for a bird's eye view of the valley and its vineyards.

In addition to its political history, Vallejo is also closely tied to the history of America's military. The Mare Island Naval Shipyard, which closed in 1996, was the first naval station on the west coast, and efforts to restore the shipyard are now being undertaken by the Mare Island Historic Park Foundation.

And, of course, Vallejo is very close to San Francisco. The Bay Link Ferry offers regular service across the bay to the larger city.

See our 5 Jobs in Vallejo, California