Every Saturday from early morning to around 1:00 PM there is a Farmer's Market in the downtown core, not sure if you've run into that. yet. On the waterfront just North of the ferry building is a fun restaurant, the Front Room, which has views of Mare Island and a full bar for those so inclined. Starting in the early summer the downtown core is also blocked off for "Jazz Wednesday" evenings, with live music and street vendors. Another waterfront restaurant, this one adjoining the Marina, is Zio Fraedo's, very nice Italian and mid-range (i.e. not cheap) princing...and just North of Zio Fraedo is the Sardine Can, a casual place which is great for breakfast, lunch and beers. There's also a fun bar in an old Victorian at Virginia and Sonoma Blvd. called Nobody's Place which has a couple downstairs pool tables, a patio and a karaoke night.

I've been a little busy so not completely up to speed right now on upcoming events, though I am aware of one, a Pirate Festival on the Waterfront green on Saturday and Sunday the third weekend of June...perhaps I will pop down there with my charges and play some music for awhile on those days.

Re safety issues, not sure where you guys lived before this but the Historical District and the rest of downtown Vallejo are definitely an urban core (though the population and amenities have not yet been fully restored following the economic downturn circa 1985-1995). Things are generally much safer than you might sometimes think, for example the rate of "violent" crime is lower than in nearby cities such as San Francisco and Oakland, and so it the level of racial tension...but you should exercise diligence in regards to the potential for petty or property crime--vandalism, petty theft, or even auto theft--as there are still occurences of these from time to time. So, don't leave anything valuable out in the yard, and if your car does not have an anti-theft system "The Club" might be a prudent investment.

There are frequent parties and social gatherings in the area as many of the people who haved moved to Vallejo over the last 25-30 years are very outgoing, friendly, and socially and politically active...and frequently reside in very cool old houses that are highly suitable for entertaining. Don't be afraid to get to know your neighbors!