Vermillion City is a city in Kanto. Situated near a sea inlet to the south, it contains a Pokémon Center, a Poké Mart, and serves as a popular sea port for ships such as the S.S. Anne. Vermilion Harbor is a home port for many ships. The S.S. Anne sails around the world and returns to Vermilion once a year. The S.S. Aqua sails from Olivine City in Johto to Vermilion Harbor. The ten Seagallop Ferries sail regularly to all of the Sevii Islands. Aside from the Harbor, the other exits to the city are Route 11 and Diglett's Cave to the east. North of the city is Route 6.

Vermilion City is home to the "Lightning American" Lt. Surge, the Leader of the Electric-specialist Gym. The people in the town are careful about pollution, as they are afraid of an infestation of Grimer could occur if the seas were ever polluted. For instance, Celadon City suffers from this in Generation II. Wild Pokémon appear in the sea around the city.

S.S. Anne
Main article: S.S. Anne
The S.S. Anne is a known luxury cruise liner which sails the world, stopping annually in Vermilion City. To get on the S.S. Anne in the games, players must obtain an S.S. Ticket by helping out Bill. This ship contains many Pokémon Trainers looking for a Pokémon battle, including many Gentlemen and Sailors. Battling through the ship is easy, however, because a room is provided with a bed that acts like a Pokémon Center, restoring all Pokémon on hand to full health.

The Kanto chapter of the Pokémon Fan Club is located in Vermilion. The Pokémon Fan Club is an organization spread throughout the Pokémon world, with at least one Club House in nearly every region. The Fan Club is basically a place for people to meet and chat about their favorite Pokémon and to show off their collections to each other. In general, the members are usually more oriented to unevolved, cute Pokémon and Pokémon Contests than Pokémon battles