Attended the Fair Oaks Fiesta Days also know as Spring Fest. It is located in the Fair Oaks…read moreVillage. This is such a great event. This year they had a wonderful car show, plant sell, clothing and jewelry vendors, kid fun area, food trucks and also the wonderful restaurant, shops and bars in Fair Oaks Village. This is a awesome event for everyone, but I missed all the live music in previous years. I only heard one band play for a short moment...Remember music brings everyone together. I hope next year they bring back the main stage and the far end of the street.... back with some great local bands.

The Fair Oaks Spring Fest - or Fair Oaks Fiesta as the natives call it - has been a yearly May…read moretradition in old-town Fair Oaks since at least the 60's. My mom has a picture of me from 1971 or so marching as a cub-scout in the parade. Back then it was your standard local parade and carnival ride affair - but in the past couple decades it has morphed into a combined 5 mile/5k Sun Run, kiddie carnival, food fair, toilet bowl race, street car show, things like celebrity look-a-like contests and bicycle air-shows, and a frog jumping contest. The toilet bowl race is hysterical and pretty out-of-control. You can bring your own frog or use one of their's in the frog jumping contest. The kiddie rides have a nice selection of home-spun and carnival type stuff - pretty good bang for the buck. The footrace is large and well organized - with plenty of swag for the runners. There is something for everyone in this family-oriented local festival. Check the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce Calendar when next May rolls around.

I'm always down for a good brunch, and thanks to Priya R., I was able to experience that at the…read morebeautiful Sienna in EDH. First impression when I walked in to this Tuscan-styled restaurant was, "wow, this is nice". It's an upscale environment with a casual vibe. I loved it. I felt like I was at a posh resort somewhere, not within any close radius to Sacramento (that's a good thing), but where flip flops were acceptable attire. Keep in mind this was brunch. I'd definitely dress up for dinner though. Let's keep it classy, folks! All the staff were friendly and welcoming, from the hostess to the omelet chef to our server Silas. He was great at refilling our bottomless mimosas (included in the $23/person buffet). Our party of 8 was seated in the semi-private Coriander room, aka "the fish bowl". It's floor- to- ceiling glass walls gave us enough privacy to really enjoy each other's conversation and not be distracted by any other patrons. I felt like a very important person as I was eating my 3rd plate of buffet food and sipping on my mimosa! Food was delicious. I had no complaints about anything I tried-and I pretty much tried everything. Don't judge. The "usual" breakfast items included diced country potatoes, bacon (OMG SOOO GOOD), sausage links, French toast (perfectly done), waffles, biscuits and gravy (different from any other b&g that I've ever had and worthy of a "must try" label), cinnamon rolls, and a made-to-order omelette station. They also had eggs benedict and a veggie benedict (tomato/spinach/egg), a refreshing spinach and mandarin orange salad, caesar salad, fresh fruit salad, bagels and lox (beautifuly rolled up smoked salmon and capers and a bowl of whipped cream cheese), a pepperoni flatbread (a little too greasy) and a breakfast flatbread. But the real brunch winners for me were the blackened pork tenderloin over mashed potatoes and the chicken enchiladas. The pork was tender and well seasoned and the garlic mashed potatoes had a perfect consistency. The enchiladas were thick and full of cheese, green chilis, and moist chicken. Sienna provided a a perfectly relaxing, intimate, and fun way to get to know my fellow Yelpers Priya, Devo and Scott, Frankie and Manolo, and Angel. Thank you all for a wonderful brunch!

Another month and dinner with the crew. Only five of us this time. Hope to see everyone next time…read more Some of us wanted to try the new restaurant by the great Kru. Chu Mai was a nice looking place. So vibrant paintings and art in the back. The bathrooms were a little weird. One door and I think three bathrooms for any type of person. Well I had reservations so we were seated right away. In the back at a big table. We started off with some of their specialty cocktails. I got the Golden Child since it had Cognac in it. Very strong and I liked it. There were two that got the Chu Mai Tai. which they enjoyed. The last one was the Boy with the Dragon Tattoo , which was bitter a little too much. We got several plates to share. The BO Tai Chanh, was just ok. Eliza wanted the shrimp chips. The Bun Rieu Capellini was ok to. We got two orders of the Mui Choy Kau Yuk , pork belly. It was flavorful . Finished with the vegetable fried rice and added an egg. We noticed that all the serving sizes were pretty small. I know it's from Kru but come on. Most of the dishes we could of made ourselves. Nothing to write home about. We were disappointed. Oh well. maybe they will come up with better items later. but for now I would pass on this place. At least we came once. Great for my UYE but not great for the food. I would give a 3 star if that. We still had a fantastic time with the crew, catching up. Till our next food outing.

WONDERFUL service, our server JUNIOR was great very attentive and service with a smile…read more CHEVY'S in Elk Grove is one of my favorite go to spots for Happy Hour. Best Margaritas in town ask for KIA

Junior was absolutely amazing! Busy busy cinco de mayo and he was hustling as well as giving the…read moreabsolute best service! I can't say enough how wonderful he was and it does not go unnoticed! Go see Junior!

The first time I saw this mural I was absolutely thrilled! on their own axolotls definitely look…read morelike little space creatures and this little one is getting beamed back to their people. I don't know if they meant to do this, but on a Kings win with the beam actually lit I bet this is even cooler. This is a bit hidden because you'll only catch it if you're heading down Merchant Street, which is a little alley, or if you're walking around in the area. However, now that Bumble Bear Coffee is open I've visited it a lot more often. Definitely check out this fun piece of art when you're in the area.

East Sacramento is a gorgeous part of Sacramento to visit. While I wish I could afford a home…read morethere, I am happy to enjoy the homes from the street as we pass by on errands and during the holidays when the Fab 40's are even more fabulous with lights and decorations. This area of Sacramento is so cute and has a great variety of shops, parks, restaurants and is just a vibe. One of our favorite restaurants was in this area, and when they were open we would be in the area weekly for our trivia night and explored a lot more. We tend to spend most of our time near Folsom Blvd and J Street. Corti Brothers is a must visit when you're in the area and if you're in the area on the weekend Moonbelly Bakery in on the cusp of East Sacramento and is so worth a visit. More staples of East Sacramento that we visit are The Pet Department Store for all our dogs needs, where the staff is super sweet and always gives our dog treats. The Sacramento Turn Verein where they host Oktoberfest, Bockfest and teach German Language classes. McKinley Park with its Rose Garden and Tiferet By The Park for a snack and drink while you're walking around. This whole area has trees lining the road, a lot of shade and gives a more peaceful feel to a busy city area. The neighborhoods are so cute and easily walkable. While I mentioned a few restaurants and businesses there are so many to discover here.

I Love walking in East Sacramento with my dog starting from 35th-49th Street. The streets are clean…read moreand the tree line streets are well manicured. I meet a lot of the neighbors when I walk with my dog and I love their beautiful homes with all the roses and flowers in bloom this time of year. I have a thing for the design of a English Tudor because I own that type of style. l think English Tudor home are magnificent. I also love the cute little Bungalo style and the lavish Cape cod style. Actually any style in the Fab 40's is gorgeous

Annual Old Town Elk Grove Dickens Street Faire was held on Nov 25, 20023. Advertised as having 125…read morearts and craft vendors, commercial vendors, musical acts, children's activities, free pics with Santa, etc., the event goes from 10 am to 5 pm and the tree lighting at 6 pm. We perused the event around 11:30 am for an hour. There isn't much "Dickens" at the event except for the Rio Consumnes Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution - who dressed in period clothing. This Dickens Street Faire is a bit of a misnomer - especially compared to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair & Victorian Holiday Party at Cow Palace in San Francisco. City of Elk Grove has been holding weekly events at the Old Town Plaza on Sundays. While the effort is palpable, Old Town Elk Grove parking leaves much to be desired and there aren't enough tables/chairs/shaded areas to make the events worth attending and staying for more than 30 minutes or so. I try to support local community businesses though and hope that the city can find more ways to make the events continue to happen.

It's been a work in progress over the years. It's a quaint area with older buildings and some…read moreunique history. Recently there's been a renewed effort by the city to make this area more conducive to events in the hope that this becomes a destination. In years past it was a railroad stop. I sure hope the potential is realized soon.

If you just drive through Woodland, you're not going to understand it. Most people see it from the…read morefreeway, maybe grab gas, and keep moving. But if you've lived here, grown up here, or taken the time to really be part of it, you realize this place has depth that a lot of cities have lost. I was born and raised in Woodland, and even though I live in Southern California now, this place will always be home to me. Woodland wasn't built overnight. It started back in the early 1850s as Yolo City, a small settlement that grew because of agriculture, trade, and people willing to put in the work. Over time it became Woodland, and that foundation is still here today. You can see it in the historic downtown, the old homes, the layout of the streets, and the way the city feels. It's not polished or manufactured. It's real. Downtown Woodland is where that history really comes alive. You've got buildings that have been standing for over a hundred years, local shops that have been part of the community for generations, and new businesses coming in that actually respect what's already here. It doesn't feel forced. It feels like growth built on top of something solid. What really sets Woodland apart though is the community. This is still a place where people know each other. You run into familiar faces, business owners remember your name, and there's a level of respect that you don't see everywhere anymore. It's not transactional. It's personal. Agriculture is the backbone of everything here. Woodland isn't just near farmland, it is farmland. The surrounding fields, the growers, the seasonal rhythm of planting and harvesting, it all shapes the mindset of the people. There's a work ethic here that comes from that. Early mornings, long days, and pride in what you build. That mentality carries into everything else, from small businesses to larger operations. And then you have the events, which bring the whole city together. The Yolo County Fair, which has been around for generations, is something everyone here knows. The First Friday Art Walks give downtown a completely different energy and show off the creative side of the community. The Honey Festival, Christmas parade, local markets, and all the smaller events in between, they're not just things to do, they're part of the culture. People show up, families come out, and it reminds you what a real community looks like. What I respect is that Woodland is growing, but it hasn't lost itself. You're seeing more development, more attention, more people starting to recognize what's here. But it's still grounded. It still knows what it is. A working city with history, agriculture, and people who take pride in where they come from. Is it perfect. No. There are things that can always be better. Every city has that. But the difference is the foundation. Woodland has one. It's strong, and it's built on real things, not hype. Even living in Southern California now, I still carry Woodland with me. The work ethic, the way people treat each other, the appreciation for local businesses, that all comes from growing up here. I find myself comparing other places to it, and most of them don't measure up in the ways that actually matter. If you're just passing through, you'll miss it. But if you spend time here, get to know the people, walk downtown, go to the events, and understand where it came from, you'll see it. Woodland isn't trying to be something it's not. And that's exactly why it stands out.

6/16/2025: Chillin' Pit Stop, i.e., COSTCO! Anyway, I always stop in Woodland after driving from…read moreUkiah via driving Highway 20. Moreover, I thought driving through Downtown Woodland would be the scenic route since, I never drove through the Business District. Surprisingly, I really thought Woodland CA would be a city as historically quaint as Virginia City, Nevada but, Woodland doesn't possess too many old buildings per city block. My POV: Woodland, California is a quaint and peaceful city nestled in the heart of Northern California's Central Valley region but, has a bustling vibe and more people per square foot than Virginia City NV.