Franklin Canyon Golf Course

The 18-hole Franklin Canyon Golf Course is located among the gently rolling hillsides, mature oaks, and majestic gum trees in Hercules. The 6,594-yard championship course provides an outstanding test for golfers of all skill levels and features many fun and challenging holes highlighted by two ponds, several tight doglegs, and large undulating greens that encourage precise tee shots to keep your score low and test your golf skills.

The scenery at Franklin Canyon Golf Course is picturesque and it makes the perfect backdrop for your fairytale wedding. The staff has years of experience hosting weddings and other events and they will take care of all the details for you.

Come visit them and see why the readers of Local Happenings selected them this year.

Highway 4, Hercules, CA 94547

510-799-6194

www.franklincanyongolf.com

Franklin Canyon GC 2

Hiddenbrooke Golf Club

This year’s Local’s Choice Winner for Solano County golf is Hiddenbrooke Golf Club, which is a world-class championship golf course designed by golf legend, Arnold Palmer.

Golf Digest awarded Hiddenbrooke with the prestigious 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Hiddenbrooke Golf Club is proud to be the only course in the surrounding Solano, Contra Costa, Marin and Yolo counties to receive the 4.5 star rating. Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill are the only two courses in California to receive the 5-star rating.

The 2010 Golf World Readers’ Choice Awards also recognized Hiddenbrooke as the No. 9 Best Public Golf Course in the nation. Hiddenbrooke is the only course in the San Francisco Bay Area that made the Top 50 list. The Readers’ Choice Awards also ranked Hiddenbrooke No. 4 in service, No. 5 overall value, No. 7 clubhouse and No. 10 reputation/prestige.

The staff at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club takes pride in providing a quality golf course, first-class banquet facilities and outstanding customer service. Their friendly, professional staff welcomes each guest with a warm smile and a “can do” attitude.

Their commitment is to provide a pleasant and enjoyable experience to each and every guest whether they are playing golf, attending an event or dining in the Grille. The staff’s goal is to bring about the guests’ desire to return and bring their friends to experience Hiddenbrooke.

This is quite a list of accomplishments, so head on out to Hiddenbrooke Golf Club and see why the locals chose this course!

1095 Hiddenbrooke Pkwy, Vallejo, CA 94591

707-558-0330

www.hiddenbrookegolf.com

Hiddenbrooke

Eagle Vines Golf Course

agle Vines Vineyards and Golf Club is the premiere Napa Valley golf course, situated in the foothills with vineyard views in every direction. Eagle Vines has made a profound commitment to protecting the extraordinary natural environment of the beautiful Napa Valley. Eagle Vines golf course in Napa Valley is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course, which is one of the most challenging courses in area for one of the best values around. Designed in part by World Golf Hall of Famer Johnny Miller, this Napa golf course is not only challenging, but an excellent way to indulge all the senses in the Napa Valley.

The Grill at Eagle Vines has excellent ambiance with its panoramic views of the golf course and it offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a full bar. While the grill serves as the perfect “19th hole” for those non-golfers it is a wonderful way to enjoy a brief interlude of the busy pace of the day and even a romantic getaway to the wine country. You can even enjoy some delicious wine from their estate-grown grapes grown right on the course. Banquet facilities are available for small to large groups, weddings and other events to provide the perfect setting for you and your guests.

It should also be noted that Eagle Vines Golf Course is one of the busiest “tournament” golf courses in California. Last year they did over 240 events including many local fundraising events for outstanding causes, such as the Napa Farm Bureau (benefitting agriculture scholarships), Napa Valley Community Housing, Napa Valley Hospice, and The Pathway Home (veterans benefit), just to name a few.

Come visit them and learn why our guests have voted Eagle Vines Golf Course the Local’s Choice winner for the second time.

580 S Kelly Rd, American Canyon, CA 94503

707-257-4470

www.eaglevinesgolfclub.com

Eagle Vince GC PA-Hole 6

Va de Vi Bistro and Wine Bar

A unique dining experience. Va de Vi translates to “It’s all about wine!” in Spain’s Catalan language. Of course, it’s all about food, too! Executive Chef Brad Zeller’s menu encourages diners to explore and share a variety of eclectic, international small-plate portions. Bold tastes encourage diners to explore the large international wine list, easily navigated by tasting notes. Many wines are offered by the glass in addition to pre-arranged flights to allow diners to compare different wines and discover new favorites. A warm, casual elegance defines the ambiance. Outdoors, dine under an ancient oak tree or grab a table in the picturesque lane.

Come Explore today!

1511 Mt Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

925-979-0100

www.vadevi.com

Bottom of the Fifth Bar & Grill

Having turned 25 last year, Benicia’s oldest bar is looking forward to its best year yet! Owned and operated by Bruce and Sam Adams, the Bottom of the 5th is a sports lover’s dream come true with 9 HD TVs showing all the games, paired with 2 pool tables, a full bar and some of, if not the best, food in town. Having won Best Restaurant in Local Happenings for three straight years, and in 2015 being named Best Lunch and Best Restaurant (Benicia) by the Vallejo Times-Herald. Why build a man cave when they already have one for you? They offer up a clean, comfortable place to enjoy the game with your friends while enjoying great food and drinks all at a reasonable price. Now, they are also cranking out delicious breakfast on the weekends. When it comes to their food menu fresh is their goal; they want to serve up great food for their guests so that even the mundane is sublime. You will find house-made sauces, chili, fresh-cut french fries and hand made hamburger patties. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter so you know about their special events and giveaways. Stop by for a drink (but leave the kids at home because it is only for ages 21 and up) and enjoy the game, the food and some new friends! Bottom of the 5th wants YOU to be their next regular.

498 Military East, Benicia, CA 94510

707-745-9949

www.bottom5th.com

Walnut Creek on Ice

An East Bay holiday favorite, Walnut Creek on Ice has welcomed skaters of all ages and abilities to tie on a pair of ice skates and skate daily from mid-November to mid-January for more than 11 years. Sponsored by Walnut Creek Downtown and the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, the partially enclosed rink is open rain or shine in the heart of downtown at Civic Park. Each skating season features a wide range of special entertainment including a Children’s Winter Festival, Family Skate Nights, Lamorinda Theater Company performance, Frosty & Friends, and much more. Walnut Creek on Ice participates in the One Warm Coat Drive, offers the very popular Family Skate Night special rates and is the perfect place to host a birthday party! Discounted rates are offered for groups, school field trips, veterans and scout troop outings of 20 or more.

Other generous sponsors include John Muir Health, Broadway Plaza, ParkSmart, Contra Costa Oncology, Changes Salon & Day Spa, Roman Catholic Cemeteries, Steinway & Sons, Alaska Airlines, First Northern Bank, Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau, Renaissance ClubSport, Dawson CPA, Rockin’ Jump, Bay Area News Group, KKDV, Diablo Magazine, NBC Bay Area, Walnut Creek Magazine, News 24/680, Local Happenings and Your Town Monthly.

c/o Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce

1280 Civic Drive #100, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

925-934-2007

www.iceskatewalnutcreek.com

Christmas Parade in Downtown Napa

For 52 years Downtown Napa comes alive for Christmas each year with their annual Christmas Parade. Held on the Sunday after Thanksgiving each year along First and Second streets this annual event is a wonderful tradition for the whole family. Local merchants and community members build floats and decorate cars, animals, and children to help open up the Christmas season.

C/O Downtown Napa Association 1290 Napa Town Center, Napa, CA 94559

707-257-0322

www.donapa.com

Sign Wave Company

Sign Wave has been a business staple in the Concord area since 1992.  Its current owner, Jean Elliott, has now served the local community for more than ten years.  Here’s what Jean had to say to us:

“What an honor to have been recognized by the readers of Local Happenings Magazine!  It looks like my hard work is paying off!  At Sign Wave we focus on one not-so-simple premise: To present our clients with a custom product that is consistently ‘close to perfect’ whilst providing a customer service experience that cannot be matched in the industry.

We are conveniently located in the center of Concord.  We invite you to stop by and visit.  Again, a big thank you to the readers for selecting Sign Wave in the Business Service category for Contra Costa County!”

1170 Burnett Ave. Ste. L, Concord, CA 94520

925-825-2551

www.signwaveconcord.com