Our beautiful Vallejo

When people hear about the City of Vallejo, they usually never hear about the hidden treasures and historic values that lie beneath her surface.

The City of Vallejo is geographically located couched among Marin, Napa, San Francisco and the vast Northern California East Bay. People drive through Vallejo on their way to Sacramento, or to Lake Tahoe and beyond. But many of them rarely stop to fully explore this relatively obscure treasure tucked away at the north tip of San Pablo Bay.

What people do not realize is that there are possibly more Victorian and Edwardian homes and elegantly structured houses in Vallejo than in any other part of the entire seven-county “Bay Area” region. Also, people arriving from other parts of the country do not know that, indeed, Vallejo was once the very first Capitol of the State of California. Twice.

Many visitors do not truly know the vast and colorful history that Vallejo contains. This was in large part due to the extremely charismatic, powerful, and influential Mexican General Mariano Vallejo who deeded this Mexican-owned land to America. Alas, much of this valuable history has been squelched and forgotten. It has sadly been superseded by modern-day issues or perceived problems.

But, well over a decade ago, a man by the name of Frank Malifrando came to Vallejo from the East Coast. He could see the innermost core of beautiful Vallejo. Frank had a dream. He believed that the City of Vallejo has far too many assets, and far too much value to be ignored. Frank felt that it was high time for Vallejo to be placed on the map and to celebrate the true core of what the city is, and what it represents.

Frank had a vision. He wanted to help preserve and celebrate the architectural heritage of this wonderful town. He hoped to preserve her architectural heritage. After Frank created the now extremely popular Vallejo Mad Hatter Holiday Parade, he proceeded to develop a marvelous “Historical Home Tour” as an extension of this world-class, eclectic holiday parade celebration.

The exciting and revered Vallejo Historical Home Tour was born, with the latest version set for Sunday, afternoon, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. If you enjoy historical architecture and creative carpentry, if you appreciate antiques, if you resonate with friendly people, delightful holiday lights, and décor, and if you respect the past, this will definitely be the place to be. It will be a late afternoon and early evening cheerful holiday experience. This will be an opportunity to meet new and interesting people who respect and honor the historic past of Vallejo. This is a past dating back over 170 years.

The Vallejo Historic Home

Tour has been dazzling people for well over a decade and each year attendees see something different and eclectic about Vallejo's treasured past. It offers a cascade of lights and warm smiles. It is bursting with goodwill emanating from the homeowners who have chosen to purchase these magnificent bits of history. This is an excellent opportunity to see and experience Vallejo as her true self: A town full of caring, respectful people who have chosen to live in some of the most architecturally blessed homes on the West Coast.

This is a chance to see Vallejo as a strong and special community. This city is full of warm and loving people who live inside some of the most fabulous homes anywhere in America. Come out to see what makes Vallejo great. Come join the Historic Home Tour of Vallejo. If you do, you will understand the true essence of this beautiful jewel of a City by the Bay.

And if you are lucky, you may even have a chance encounter with Vallejo's very own Mad Hatter himself, the creative visionary, Frank Malifrando. Frank began the decade-long Mad Hatter Parade from nothing and created the Home Tour the same way only to illuminate how fabulous aspects of Vallejo.

Tickets for the Historic Home Tour can be purchased at the reception at the Vallejo Car Museum on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Libation and goodies are included in the $35 tour fee.

He has given the City of Vallejo an annual gift. For that, residents and visitors alike are most grateful.

— Paula McConnell, Vallejo