30 Best Things To Do In Vallejo, California

things to do in vallejo california
Alex
Alex 
Updated
| 13 min read

With a population of over 100,000 people, Vallejo is located pretty close to an iconic California city, San Fransisco. The city is named after an important Californian figure in the state’s history, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo who was a leading person in trying to get Calfornia to be included in the United States. The area receives some pretty great weather practically all year round so you’ll never miss by spending some time outside. Vallejo was also home to some of the first LGBT communities in the state and the infamous Zodiac Killer who claimed three victims in Vallejo in the 1960s. Vallejo has been a popular destination for artists who give the community a very open, progressive and laidback vibe. Check out these amazing things to do in Vallejo, California. See how many activities you can tick off your list.

1. Visit Mare Island Art Studios

Carl Theodorski and the rest of the Mare Island Artists are getting ready for the 20th Anniversary Show! Please join...

Posted by Mare Island Art Studios formerly known as Coal Shed Art Studios on Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Vallejo has been home to a thriving art community for a few decades now, so visiting one of the many art communities in the city is a great way to get acquainted with it. The Mare Island Art Studios has been around since 1996 and was founded by artist Tim Rose. The art gallery is huge and features art from painters, woodworkers, metal sculptors, photographers and many more. Make sure to check when the gallery is open, as entry is by appointment only or if there is a show.

Mare Island Art Studios

Address: 110 Pintado St, Vallejo, CA 94589, USA

Website: Mare Island Art Studios

Opening hours: 11am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

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2. Take a tour of V. Sattui Winery

V. Sattui Winery
Source: Photo by Flickr user AngryJulieMonday used under CC BY 2.0

California has some of the best wines in the world and nothing is better than a day out in the California sun drinking some delicious wine and tasting some amazing food. The origins of the V. Sattui Winery is a very American one, starting with the story of an immigrant Vittorio Sattui. After immigrating from Genoa, Italy he bought the area that would become the V. Sattui Winery. But in 1930, during Prohibition, he closed his business. It was his grandson in 1976, who eventually reopened the business and created the V. Sattui Winery that it is today.

V. Sattui Winery

Address: 1111 White Ln, St Helena, CA 94574, USA

Website: V. Sattui Winery

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 45 USD

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3. Place your best bets at Cache Creek Casino Resort

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


This one is for the adults out there who might be looking for a place to go and spend a night in town. Nestled in the valley between San Francisco and Sacramento, the Cache Creek Casino Resort is one of California’s best casino resorts. There are numerous gaming tables and slot machines around so you’ll always find a game available that you like. If you’re not into gambling there’s a golf course on-site as well as spectacular nightlife and entertainment options.

Cache Creek Casino Resort

Address: 14455 CA-16, Brooks, CA 95606, USA

Website: Cache Creek Casino Resort

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: 50+ USD

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4. Find the perfect bouquets at B & B Floral

Posted by B and B Floral on Sunday, 18 October 2015

B & B Floral is a family-owned flower shop that has been in the business of flowers for a while now. They offer some beautiful floral arrangements as well as gifts that are a perfect way to tell someone you love and appreciate them. Service is always conducted with a smile and the staff serves customers promptly and professionally. Stop by and check them out.

B & B Floral

Address: 1106 Scalp Ave, Johnstown, PA 15904, USA

Website: B & B Floral

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 1pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 45-150 USD

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5. Spend a day with your kids at Children's Wonderland


Spend a day with the little ones and head to Children’s Wonderland. There are fun kid-themed rides all around the park, like firetrucks, dinosaurs and even Cinderella’s carriage. There are also little play areas throughout Wonderland in case your little one just wants to run around and play for a while.

Children's Wonderland

Address: 360 Glenn St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Children’s Wonderland

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 11am - 5:30pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 5 USD

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6. Picnic at Alden Park

things to do in vallejo california | picnic at alden park
Source: instagram

Alden Park is a beautiful old-fashioned circular park complete with gazebos, lush green bushes, and vegetations along with beautiful large trees providing a wealth of shade. Pack some food and a picnic basket then head to Alden Park and enjoy your meal next to a 28-foot (8.5 meters) intercontinental ballistic missile. Yes, that’s right, Alden Park features a big missile from a Cold War-era nuclear submarine. Once carrying a 600 kiloton (0.6 megatons) nuclear warhead, the missile now sits in the park (decommissioned of course!). In fact, Alden Park has lots of naval-themed artifacts around. Have a picnic and check them all out!

Alden Park

Address: 8th St, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA

Website: Alden Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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7. Travel to Vino Godfather Winery


With winemaking techniques going back to the 1800s, the Vino Godfather Winery is located right at the gateway of California’s famous wine-producing region Napa Valley. The area is known for its wine producers and Vino Godfather Winery is one of the best around. They produce fresh, exceptional and handcrafted wine so every bottle is created with love and attention to detail. Taste some fine wines and enjoy some even finer views.

Vino Godfather Winery

Address: 500 Walnut Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA

Website: Vino Godfather Winery

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 20 USD

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8. Catch a movie at Cines Crestmont


Who doesn’t like to spend a night at the movie theatre? If you’re looking to get out of the sun or if its raining or even if there’s some movie you really want to see, check out Cines Crestmont and watch a movie. The Cines Crestmont also has a claim to fame as it was the filming location for the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why”. Unwind by watching a movie and marvel at a cool filming location.

Cines Crestmont

Address: 325 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Cines Crestmont

Opening hours: 8am - 12pm (daily)

Price: 20 USD

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9. Enjoy a drive on the historic Carquinez Bridge


The Carquinez Bridge is located between the end of San Francisco Bay and Vallejo covering the Carquinez Strait. Historically the bridge began as a ferry crossing, mostly for people going from San Fransisco to Sacramento in the 1800s and then by 1927 a bridge was built to facilitate travel. The Carquinez Bridge is also featured in some popular TV series including an episode of “Mythbusters” and “13 Reasons Why”. There is also a wide selection of books on the Carquinez Bridge available at local bookshops.

Carquinez Bridge

Address: I-80, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Carquinez Bridge

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: 3-6 USD

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10. Explore Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

Posted by Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum on Monday, 22 April 2019

Mare Island, outside of Vallejo, was once an American Navy yard and although it’s not in use anymore, the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum still operates here. The museum is a lot of fun and a great place to bring the whole family or anyone who’s interested in naval history. The museum has over five galleries showcasing the history of Mare Island and Vallejo’s importance in the navy.

Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

Address: 734 Marin St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 20 USD

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11. Plan a fun day at Vallejo Vinyl & Pinball


Combining two things hipsters love, vinyl records and pinball, the Vallejo Vinyl & Pinball shop is a lot of fun and a great place to spend an evening out. The shop started at a different location but over time it became very popular with pinball lovers and so they needed a bigger space. The owners combined their love of pinball and listening to records to turn their favorite hobby into a business. Now you can browse through stacks of records and play a few games of pinball.

Vallejo Vinyl & Pinball

Address: 336 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Vallejo Vinyl & Pinball

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 6pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

Price: 5-20 USD

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12. Tee off at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club


For fans of golf, you’re in luck because Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is one of Vallejo’s best golf clubs. California is one of the best places in the world to indulge in some golfing and you’ll soon understand why. The beauty and scenery around the Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is breathtaking. You might be tempted to marvel at the beauty more than you’ll actually want to do any golfing! Hiddenbrooke Golf Club also offers a discount for any military veterans both active and retired.

Hiddenbrooke Golf Club

Address: 1095 Hiddenbrooke Pkwy, Vallejo, CA 94591, USA

Website: Hiddenbrooke Golf Club

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 50 USD

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13. Enjoy craft beer at Napa Smith Brewery


Wine might be a little more known around this part of California but craft beer is making some headway in the bars and liquor stores of Vallejo. Napa Smith Brewery is a family-owned brewery making classic American craft beer by hand. At Napa Smith Brewery they try to bring the iconic wine region’s dedication to craftsmanship to beer giving it a high-class kind of taste. Blending classic California iconography on their bottles and bringing West Coast flavors to every bottle, Napa Smith Brewery is surely going to be a hit.

Napa Smith Brewery

Address: 101 Yolano Dr, Vallejo, CA 94589, USA

Website: Napa Smith Brewery

Opening hours: 12pm - 12pm (daily)

Price: 30 USD

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14. Take your pooch to Wardlaw Dog Park


Those of you who like to travel with your dog or even those of you who are Valejo locals, know that you have to take your doggie out for some exercise once in a while. Wardlaw Dog Park is one of the best doggie parks in the city of Vallejo. The 22-acre (8 hectares) park is large, covered in grass and is a perfect place to spend an afternoon with your pet. There are water fountains all throughout the park and it is fenced-in so you won’t have to worry about your dog running off somewhere.

Wardlaw Dog Park

Address: East Vallejo, Vallejo

Website: Wardlaw Dog Park

Opening hours: 6am - 9:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

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15. Get an immersive historical experience at Mare Island Museum


Head out to one of Vallejo’s most interesting museums. Covering the history of Mare Island as well as Vallejo, Mare Island Museum showcases lots of cultural artifacts from the island’s naval and maritime history as well as tours of the local mansions, chapels, and gardens. The whole area is a pretty open-air museum that is super fun to explore. Be sure to spend several hours here because seeing everything will take some time. Many buildings here are from the 1800s and the 1900s and they are well preserved and taken care of.

Mare Island Museum

Address: 1100 Railroad Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA

Website: Mare Island Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 20 USD

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16. Savor award-winning pizza at Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food

Keep your friends close and our pizza closer.

Posted by Napoli Pizza on Thursday, 20 June 2019

If you’re visiting Vallejo, you’ll want to eat where the locals eat and taste the food that makes the city great and Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food is one of those places. Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food is an award-winning pizzeria and once you eat here, you’ll see why they have won so many accolades. The pizzas are hand-tossed and prepared from freshly made homemade dough, then cooked in a wood-burning oven. Their sauces are homemade as well. Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food has been open since the 1950s, so they are definitely doing something right.

Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food

Address: 124 Tennessee St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Napoli Pizzeria and Italian Food

Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)

Price: 10-30 USD

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17. Enjoy a few cocktails at Town House Cocktail Lounge

Posted by Townhouse Cocktail Lounge on Monday, 24 August 2015

After your pizza at Napoli Pizzaria, why not grab a couple of cocktails with some friends or even a date? The Town House Cocktail Lounge is the place to go if you’re looking to let loose and have a couple of drinks. They offer karaoke nights and pretty moderately priced drinks so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. It’s a fun laid-back kind of bar with live music and is LGBT-friendly.

Town House Cocktail Lounge

Address: 401 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Town House Cocktail Lounge

Opening hours: 1pm - 2am (daily)

Price: 10-20 USD

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18. Tour Eddie's Slot Car World


Eddie’s Slot Car World is certainly a unique place to visit while you’re in Vallejo. Slot cars are little mini cars that run on a track and fun to collect, customize and of course, race. Eddie’s Slot Car World has two tracks with a 60 foot (18 meters) racing strip. These types of places are not very common anymore, so Eddie’s is a little blast from the past and they are authentic too, having been open for over 20 years.

Eddie's Slot Car World

Address: 1021 Tennessee St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Eddie’s Slot Car World

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 12pm - 8pm (closed from Sat - Tue)

Price: 20 USD

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19. Gain informative insight at Western Railway Museum


Although not located in Vallejo, the Western Railway Museum is nearby and still provides a great way to spend some time in the area. California played an important part in the construction of the railroads in the United States and the Western Railway Museum will provide some great insight into the function of trains, trams, trolleys and everything rail-related. The museum has been around since the 1960s and has since been collecting more and more items for their exhibits.

Western Railway Museum

Address: 5848 CA-12, Suisun City, CA 94585, USA

Website: Western Railway Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10:30am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 20 USD

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20. Cook up a healthy meal with local produce from Vallejo Farmers' Market

Rodríguez Farms

Posted by Vallejo Farmers Market on Saturday, 29 June 2019

If you’re staying in Vallejo for a while and want to access some of the freshest food in the city then definitely check out the Vallejo Farmers’ Market. Likely you’ll want to do some cooking for yourself if you’re in town for a while, so picking up some fresh produce is important. All of the food found at the market is sourced from nearby producers and farmers and you’ll be supporting the local economy.

Vallejo Farmers' Market

Address: 400 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Vallejo Farmers’ Market

Opening hours: Sat: 9am - 2pm (closed from Sun - Fri)

Price: Free

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21. Watch a performance at Vallejo Symphony


Vallejo Symphony has been around for a long time providing a cultural treat for the people of Vallejo. The history of the symphony starts in the 1930s during the Great Depression, as a means to revitalize the city. Since then its become a staple in the Vallejo community. The current conductor Dr. George Wargo has been with the symphony for over 21 years. So if you’re looking for a great night out filled with beautiful music, check out the Vallejo Symphony.

Vallejo Symphony

Address: 714 Marin St A, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Vallejo Symphony

Price: 40 USD

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22. Take your kids to Six Flags Magic Mountain

SCREAM ~ Ride Out Loud
Source: Photo by Flickr user Thank You (20,5 m... used under CC BY 2.0

California has good weather all year around. They also have some of the most popular amusement parks in the world too! So why not head to Six Flags Magic Mountain and enjoy a day out in the sun with the kids and the family. Although not located in Vallejo, you’ll still want to drive to Magic Mountain and make a day of going on rides, eating junk food and have a fun time in one of California’s best-rated amusement parks.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355, USA

Website: Six Flags Magic Mountain

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 55 USD

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23. Stroll along Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Mare Island continues to make the list and for good reason. The Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend some time amidst nature. The heritage preserve is great for nature enthusiasts, people interested in history and those who want to spot some beautiful wildlife. The Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve faces the Carquinez Bay, allowing for some beautiful sights of the area, so make sure to bring your camera.

Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve

Address: 167 O'Hara Ct, Vallejo, CA 94592, USA

Website: Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve

Opening hours: Fri - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed from Mon - Thu)

Price: Free

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24. Get to know about the stories behind Alibi Clock


Alibi Clock is one of the most interesting pieces of Vallejo history and you should check it out while you’re here. The Alibi Clock is known as such because it proved the innocence of two men during a trial. In 1916 there was a parade held in San Francisco that was set to be the biggest the city had ever seen. A pipe bomb went off during the parade killing 10 people and injuring 40 more. Radical activists were seen as the suspects but labor leaders Thomas Mooney and Warren Billings were deemed to be the perpetrators. A key piece of evidence during their trial was a picture of the clock with Mooney, displaying a time proving that he was nowhere near the attack. The clock now resides in Vallejo and can be seen as a tourist attraction.

Alibi Clock

Address: 316 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Alibi Clock

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

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25. Visit McCune Rare Book and Art Collection

Posted by McCune Rare Book and Art Collection on Saturday, 25 May 2019

The McCune Rare Book and Art Collection is a cool place to check out in Vallejo. The store is a non-profit organization that aims to collect rare and obscure books from both California and abroad. The prices of the merchandise vary but even if you’re not looking to buy anything, simply just wandering the book store is almost like perusing a museum full of interesting finds that you won’t easily find anywhere else.

McCune Rare Book and Art Collection

Address: 505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: McCune Rare Book and Art Collection

Opening hours: Tue: 2pm - 4pm; Sat: 12pm - 2pm (closed on Mon, Wed - Fri & Sun)

Price: Free

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26. Dance the night away at Desperados Club House

Posted by Desperados Club House on Friday, 30 June 2017

Desperados Club House is one of Vallejo’s most popular clubs in the city. It is the perfect spot to head out to on a Saturday night if you’re looking to get a couple of drinks and party a little bit. The Club House has some moderately priced drinks so you don’t have to worry about spending too much. Live music is played always and there are often sports on TV as well.

Desperados Club House

Address: 4345 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo, CA 94589, USA

Website: Desperados Club House

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: 10-30 USD

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27. Discover art by local artists at The Hub Vallejo

Posted by The Hub Vallejo on Thursday, 3 May 2018

The Hub is all about artists supporting artists in the best possible way. Vallejo has always been a place where artists come and converge so there is definitely a slant in the city towards people who are creatively inclined. The Hub allows for people to come and work on art and is a non-profit organization dedicated to artists of all ability, age, and skill. Come by and check out works created by local artists and maybe even pick up something you like.

The Hub Vallejo

Address: 350 Georgia St, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: The Hub Vallejo

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

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28. Shop at Vallejo Plaza Shopping Center


Now that you’ve seen everything there is to see and do in Vallejo, how about a little retail therapy? Head to the Vallejo Plaza Shopping Center and browse through shops to buy some gifts for friends or maybe a little something for yourself. The Vallejo Plaza Shopping Center has over 30 stores and a food court offering everything from Chinese food to Mexican and Filipino dishes. You can even get a relaxing massage at the Vallejo Plaza.

Vallejo Plaza Shopping Center

Address: 3325 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Website: Vallejo Plaza Shopping Center

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

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29. Go biking at Vallejo Waterfront Park


The Vallejo Waterfront Park is located on Glen Cove and is a perfect place to spend a day sitting by the water and enjoying the nice weather. Waterfront Park is a place where people can visit do a little fishing, hike around the trails and hills surrounding the area or take their bike and go for a little tour of the green adjoining space. There are picnic areas located throughout the park so make sure to pack some food and enjoy one of the best views in Vallejo.

Vallejo Waterfront Park

Address:Whitesides Dr, Vallejo, CA 94591, USA

Website: Vallejo Waterfront Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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30. Enjoy the beautiful sunset from Vallejo Marina


Located at the north end of the downtown waterfront area, the Vallejo Marina is close to the Mare Island causeway. Because of Vallejo Marina’s position, facing west, locals and visitors alike tend to come here and gaze at the sunset over the water. There are also a ton of other entertainment options offered here like restaurants and cafes as well as public showers for people who have been out boating all day.

Vallejo Marina

Address: 42 Harbor Way, Vallejo, CA 94590, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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Fun in Vallejo

Vallejo
Source: Photo by user Patrick Nouhailler used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Vallejo is a great city that while not as big and popular as nearby San Fransico, is still an amazing place worth checking out. Vallejo has a pretty interesting and diverse history to it which is shown through its various museums and places of interest. There’s also a thriving art scene, which has been a part of the Vallejo community since at least the 1960s. It is also a great place to bring your family as there are lots of family-friendly activities to do with the kids from amusement parks to kid-specific playgrounds. Make sure to visit Vallejo on your next trip to California!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Alex is a Canadian university graduate with degrees in English literature and History. He was born in Montreal and when he's not traveling he enjoys movies, video games, playing the drums and...Read more

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