Touring * Fitness * Street * Slalom * Artistic *

Going north on Interstate 680, cross the Benicia-Martinez Bridge and immediately get onto Interstate 780 northwest. Take the Military West exit. Just west of the freeway overpass, turn right and park in the free lot outside the Benicia State Recreation Area.

Benicia's Dillon Point offers a fine view of the Carquinez Strait to the south from a wide, lightly traveled road. To reach the Benicia State Recreation Area entrance, skate on the divided two-lane bike path (bikes on one side, pedestrians on the other) that runs north along the bay as a connecting trail, a nice tour in itself. Cars are allowed on the road to Dillon Point, but traffic is light except on the most gorgeous weekend days, when it's best to arrive early for safe skating. Skate on the road next to the bay, past several picnic areas and around to Dillon Point. There are a few marshy areas, so watch out for streams of water crossing the road in winter and early spring. You'll also be skating up and down some hills, but with the wide street, you'll have lots of room for slaloms, and for most of the way, the shoulders are grassy if you need to bail out. Once you reach Dillon Point, you'll be rewarded with a commanding view of the Carquinez Strait. Return to the parking lot the way you came, and if you want to continue exploring Benicia, skate south to the sidewalk and follow it along West K Street down to Ninth Street Park at Commodor Jones Point. Or, if you like practicing your jumps, visit Benicia's mini skate park at the intersection of West K and West Seventh Streets.