Destination Vacaville

Local artist Carla J. Lawson discusses Crowned, her first museum exhibition at the Vacaville Museum. The show explores traditional African hairstyles as symbols of heritage, identity, and survival, using sculpture, painting, and mixed media.

Carla shares the historical meaning behind the braids and forms featured in the exhibit, her process of creating companion sculpture and painting pieces, and how Northern California’s cultural d...

In episode four of our five-part series spotlighting the chefs behind Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Matt Andrews—owner and operator of Frosty’s, and a culinary talent whose heart is as big as his flavors.

Hailing from the small Northern California town of Dixon, Matt’s love for food was sparked in his grandmother’s kitchen, where simple, honest flavors first captured his imagina...

In episode three of our five-part series spotlighting the chefs behind Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Kyle Young—a culinary talent known for blending classic techniques with modern creativity.

With experience across fine dining and boutique kitchens, Chef Kyle brings a bold yet thoughtful approach to local, seasonal ingredients. Passionate about sustainability and community, he’s...

In the first episode of our five-part series featuring the chefs from Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Megan Smith of Ironwood American Bistro. Megan shares the inspiration behind her vibrant salad course, made with local produce, foraged fennel pollen, and garden-fresh chive blossoms. She also talks about her culinary journey and how she now focuses on teaching approachable, nutr...

In this episode of Destination Vacaville, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with sculptor Martin Taylor to discuss his incredible journey into creating metal origami sculptures. Martin shares how his passion for industrial design evolved into an art career, starting with inflatable art pieces at Burning Man and leading to his latest work, "Touch the Sky." This beautiful sculpture now graces downtown Vacaville, where it reside...

In this festive episode, we dive into Vacaville Fiesta Days, the city's biggest celebration of the year! Join us as we sit down with a special guest Karen Julif to uncover what visitors can expect—from delicious local eats and vibrant street food to live music, classic car shows, carnival rides, and community parades. Whether you're a longtime local or first-time visitor, you'll get the inside scoop on can't-mis...

In this episode, Alyssa talks with Leslie Silver, the Director of the Downtown Business Improvement District, about Vacaville's thriving downtown. They discuss the return of the Farmer's Market, community events like car shows and music festivals, and how these gatherings introduce visitors to local businesses. Learn how these activities enhance community spirit and support local commerce. Whether you live in Vacaville or...

Debbie Egidio, President of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce, shares how the Chamber fuels local business growth through events like the Night of Champions Gala, the Cowtown Classic Golf Tournament, and Lemonade Day Vacaville. Learn about their mission of fostering a healthy business environment, the monthly mixers open to all, and the array of committees supporting young professionals and the Travis Air Force Base.

Desti...

Join us on this week's episode of "Destination Vacaville" as we delve into the details of the Farm to Table Dinner, happening on Friday, May 10th, 2024, at Andrews Park in Vacaville's Downtown. We'll chat with Melyssa Reeves, the visionary founder of the event, and Delany Holden, a key organizer, to learn about the inspirations behind this culinary celebration and what guests can expect. Tune in to discover...

For this episode, Alyssa chats with two special guests from the Vacaville PAL (Police Activities League): Rafael, the student PAL Teens President, and Andrea Gonzalez, a passionate Youth Development Senior Program Coordinator. Discover how PAL, serving Vacaville for over 28 years, offers many engaging activities for children and teens aged 7 to 18. From year-round programs to exciting summer activities and beyond, PAL fosters leade...

Discover the vibrant world of Vacaville's art scene with Cristie Baron, Owner of Joyful Art Studio. As a seasoned participant in the community, Cristie brings creativity to life through her studio. From being selected for "Cows on Parade" to nurturing budding artists of all ages, Joyful Art Studio is a hub of inspiration. Join us as we explore how Cristie's passion ignites the artistic spirit in residents and to...

Discover the heart of Vacaville's vibrant art scene in this episode as we explore the Vacaville Art League and Gallery. Join us as we chat with Barb Musial, Manager of the gallery, about how this space not only showcases the city's artistic talent but also serves as a lively hub for local creatives to connect and collaborate. Whether you're a resident seeking inspiration or a tourist craving a taste of Vacaville&apos...

The celebration of "I Love Vacaville Week" continues by shining a spotlight on My Friend’s House, a youth shelter dedicated to equipping, empowering, and encouraging the youth in Vacaville. By meeting the immediate needs of homeless and at-risk youth aged 12-24, they strive to prevent them from falling victim to drugs, gangs, trafficking, incarceration, or homelessness. The programs offer comprehensive case management, me...

To celebrate "I Love Vacaville Week", we invited Dr. KP of the  Solano SPCA to chat about the shelter. Join us as Dr. KP shares the remarkable stories of animal adoptions and the dedicated volunteers making a difference in the lives of Vacaville residents and pets in need of new homes. From heartwarming tales of rehabilitation to vaccination clinics to the annual Paws for a Cause, discover how Solano SPCA is shaping a bri...

Bundle up and lace up those skates, because the Winter Wonderland event at Vacaville Ice Sports is happening from December 15 to January 7!! Glide around the rink, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations that will have you feeling like you stepped into a holiday postcard. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just finding your ice skating legs, this event is the perfect blend of winter magic and laughter for famil...