Sacramento has a number of locally owned neighborhood restaurants and bars, and two of those are The Golden Bear at 24th and K streets and Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co., at 17th and S streets. On this week's episode of the Visit Sacramento Podcast, Kimio Bazett of both the Golden Bear and Hook and Ladder shares how the businesses started, how they progressed – including The Golden Bear's featuring on "Diners Drive-Ins and Dives" – and where he sees them going in the future.

Dante Williams had a choice during the Covid-19 pandemic – go to law school, or start a coffee business. Thankfully, he chose coffee, and Sacramento can now enjoy Black Coffee Roastery's beans sourced from around the world and shipped to their doors, or at local events like the Farm-to-Fork Festival, the Into the Lion's Den cycling race and farmers markets.

On this week's episode of the Visit Sacramento Podcast, perk up for the new year by learning how a business that started by roasting coffee beans in a popcorn maker quickly evolved with more complex machinery and is gaining increased notoriety.

Making toffee and tinkering with a recipe for it from her cousin was just a hobby for Sheila Roberts until friends and family told her she needed to turn it into a business. A couple of years later, One Love Toffee Candy Co. is delivering her signature toffee with its "soft crunch" to all 50 states, and she's needed to move to a commercial kitchen to keep up with demand. The Sacramento native works with local almond farmers to source the nuts in the toffee, and she shares the story behind her business as well as how you can get a bag of it on the Visit Sacramento Podcast.

The SMUD Museum of Science & Curiosity is now open in its new home on the Sacramento River just north of the historic Old Sacramento Waterfront area. Executive Director Michele Wong shares what it's like visiting the museum, which is built in a mix of a century-old powerhouse and brand-new construction more than 15 years in development. A rotating exhibit complements the permanent exhibits, and as an instructional museum with interactive exhibits, one of the rules is please DO touch.

With the holiday upon us and businesses struggling in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it's more important than ever to shop local. One of Sacramento's favorite shopping destinations is Midtown, and Jodie Miller of the Midtown Association shares her tips for shopping – and eating – local this holiday season.

The Old Sacramento Waterfront is one of the best places to celebrate the holidays in Sacramento, from attending family-friendly free events like the Theater of Lights, dining out at one of the many restaurants, enjoying the tree-lighting ceremony to watching the New Year's Eve fireworks show.

On this week's, Scott Ford, district manager of the Old Sacramento Waterfront, shares his favorite holiday activities, why locals and visitors alike should visit the 28-acre historic district, and how important it is to shop local this holiday season, as well as a lot more.

Arden Fair is one of the Sacramento region's largest malls and when it comes to holiday shopping, it's always a draw. Nathan Spradlin, marketing director at Arden Fair, shares what you can expect this year, tips to get the best parking, and how Santa is once again setting up shop in the mall to welcome kids.

Sacramento is America's Farm-to-Fork Capital, and the Sacramento City Unified School District is working to bring fresh food to students at all 80 of its schools, and its new Central Kitchen food truck is designed to bring fresh breakfasts to schools, along with other initiatives. Diana Flores shares the way the district is bringing farm to fork to the schools, and how the district dealt with feeding students over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic in this episode.

The Colour of Music Festival brings Black classical musicians to Sacramento for its West Coast Debut, honoring the heritage of Black composers and musicians, serving to showcase their art and bringing top-quality classical music to multiple stages. Founder Lee Pringle and Anyango Yarbo-Davenport - violinist and conductor of the Colour of Music all-female virtuosi – are this week's guests, sharing what you can expect at this year's festival.

Sacramento International Airport is consistently one of the best-regarded airports in the nation, from its ease of use to the excellent food and more. Scott Johnston and Mark Haneke share everything you need to know about not just SMF, but the other regional airports, including how they help attract large events like Ironman California and Aftershock.