The winners are here! After tabulating votes from our readers, we're announcing your picks for the Best of Vallejo & Benicia 2025, and the winners of this year's gold medal.

We received over 10,000 votes across more than 100 categories. We've also included the second and third place winners, or the silver and bronze medals.

We'll be featuring the winners in the coming weeks and months and you can check out the full list of winners below. Congratulations to all our winners!

Around Town

Best Annual Outdoor Event: Mad Hatter Parade

Runners up:

• Fourth of July Parade
• Juneteenth

Best Date Activity: Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Strolling First Street
• Vallejo Waterfront

Best Family Day Trip: Ferry to SF

Runners up:

• Jelly Belly Factory
• Children’s Wonderland

Best Hidden Gem: The Quarters

Runners up:

• St Peter’s Chapel
• The Glen Cove Marina

Best Hiking Trail: Mare Island Preserve

Runners up:

• Benicia State Park
• San Pablo Mare Island Bay Trail

Best Hotel: The Inn at Benicia Bay

Runners up:

• Courtyard by Marriott
• Shorelight Inn

Best Museum: Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

Runners up:

• Museum of History Benicia
• Mare Island Museum

Best Park: Blue Rock Springs

Runners up:

• Children's Wonderland
• Glen Cove Waterfront Park

Best Pickleball Courts: Mare Island

Runners up:

• Glen Cove
• Florence Douglas Center

Best Place of Worship: Friendship Baptist Church

Runners up:

• Saint Peter's Cathedral on Mare Island
• Community Presbyterian

Best Place to Walk: Vallejo Waterfront

Runners up:

• Benicia State Park
• Mare Island

Best Private Event Space: Vino Godfather

Runners up:

• The Lighthouse at Glen Cove Marina
• Zio Fraedos

Best Public Space: Vallejo Farmer's Market

Runners up:

• Vallejo Waterfront
• Mare Island Waterfront

Best Way to Spend an Afternoon: Explore downtown Benicia

Runners up:

• Vino Godfather
• Mare Island Brewing Company

Cannabis

Best Dispensary: VTown Farms

Runners up:

• Nug Vallejo
• VRC-Vallejo Relief Center

Culture and Entertainment

Best Art Gallery: Mare Island Art Studios

Runners up:

• Arts Benicia
• Autonomous Gallery

Best Art Instructor: Priscila Soares

Runners up:

• Jeffrey Tover
• Dedrick Weathersby

Best Bar Theme Night: Saturday drag show at the Town House

Runners up:

• Taco Tuesday at Bottom of the Fifth
• Vallejo Moose Lodge 468

Best Festival: Dock of the Bay

Runners up:

• Dia de Los Muertos
• Waterfront Festival

Best Local Band: Papa Joe & the New Deal

Runners up:

• Vallejo Festival Orchestra
• Vallejo Symphony

Best Local Rapper: LaRussell

Runners up:

• E 40
• Baby Bash

Best Nonprofit: Food is Free Bay Area

Runners up:

• Vallejo Center for the Arts
• Empress Theatre

Best Place to See Live Music: Empress Theatre

Runners up:

• Vino Godfather
• Lucca Bar & Grill

Best Place to See Local Art: Mare Island Art Studios

Runners up:

• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• Ethnic Notions

Drinking

Best Bar: Mare Island Brewing Co.

Runners up:

• Provisions
• Town House

Best Beer Retail Selection: Mare Island Brewing Co.

Runners up:

• SIPS - The Bottle Emporium

Best Beer Selection on Tap: Mare Island Brewing Co.

Runners up:

• Hopulent
• Bambino's

Best Cocktails: Provisions

Runners up:

• Bella Siena
• Bambino's Vallejo

Best Coffee Shop: The Quarters Coffee House

Runners up:

• The Grind
• Provisions

Best Happy Hour: Bambino's Vallejo

Runners up:

• Bella Siena
• The Rellik Tavern

Best Juice / Smoothie Bar: Sunshine Smoothies

Runners up:

• La Michoacana Vallejo
• Juice House Co. Benicia

Best Local Brewery: Mare Island Brewing Co.

Runners up:

• Vallejo Brewing Company
• Bruehol Brewing

Best Local Liquor Store: SIPS - The Bottle Emporium

Runners up:

• M&M Liquors

Best Local Wine Shop: SIPS - The Bottle Emporium

Runners up:

• Vino Godfather

Best Margarita: Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Union ho
• Rellik Tavern

Best Milkshake: Liled's Candy Kitchen

Runners up:

• Nation's Giant Hamburger & Great Pies
• Double Rainbow

Best Wine Selection (Bar/Restaurant or Retail): Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Provisions
• Vino Godfathers

Eating

Best Ambiance: Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Provisions
• One House Bakery

Best Appetizers: Provisions

Runners up:

• Bambino's
• Manny’s Steakhouse

Best Bakery: One House Bakery

Runners up:

• La Michoacana Vallejo
• Starbread Bakery

Best Breakfast: Provisions

Runners up:

• Good Day Cafe
• Momo's Cafe

Best Burger: Bud's Giant Burgers

Runners up:

• Provisions
• Mare Island Brewing Co.

Best Chinese Food: Szechuan Chinese Cuisine

Runners up:

• China Wok
• New China Barn

Best Date Night Restaurant: Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Dead Fish
• Bambino's

Best Dessert: One House Bakery

Runners up:

• Liled's Candy Kitchen
• Provisions

Best Donut: Royal Jelly Donuts

Runners up:

• Scotty's Cafe
• One House Bakery

Best Filipino Food: Andrea Foods

Runners up:

• 3J's Oriental Market
• Bibingkahan Restaurant

Best Fish & Chips: The Sardine Can

Runners up:

• SoulTran’s Seafood
• Noonie’s Place

Best Food Truck: La Pinata Taqueria

Runners up:

• Tacos Dos Hermanos
• Taqueria La Joya

Best Fried Chicken: Provisions

Runners up:

• Chicken Express
• Korean Fried Chicken & Box

Best Fries: Bud's Giant Burgers

Runners up:

• Provisions
• Lucca Bar & Grill

Best Ice Cream: Liled's Candy Kitchen

Runners up:

• La Michoacana
• Double Rainbow Cafe

Best Italian Food: Bella Siena

Runners up:

• Bambino's
• Napoli Pizzeria Vallejo

Best Japanese Food: Matsuri

Runners up:

• Yo Sushi
• Izakaya

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant: Sac's Tasty Hot Dogs

Runners up:

• Buttercup Diner
• Gracie's

Best Mac and Cheese: Hopulent

Runners up:

• Gracie's
• From Scratch With Love Catering

Best Mexican Restaurant: Tacos Jalisco

Runners up:

• El Tesoro Mazatlan
• Mi Jalisco Restaurante

Best Outdoor Patio: One House Bakery

Runners up:

• Provisions
• Mare Island Brewing Co., Coal Sheds taproom

Best Pho: PHO#1 Noodle House

Runners up:

• Pho Hoang
• Phở Lee Hòa Phát 3

Best Pizza: Napoli Pizzeria Vallejo

Runners up:

• Bambino's
• Fusion Pizza

Best Restaurant: Provisions

Runners up:

• Bella Siena
• Manny's Steakhouse

Best Restaurant for Vegetarians: Aung MayLiKa

Runners up:

• Vegan Mob
• Provisions

Best Sandwiches: Picnicky's Sandwich Shop

Runners up:

• Sprankle's Village Deli
• Food Basket

Best Seafood: The Sardine Can

Runners up:

• Matsuri Restaurant
• Bella Siena

Best Tacos: Tacos Jalisco

Runners up:

• El Tesoro Mazatlan
• Taqueria La Estrella

Best Thai Food: Pearl Thai

Runners up:

• Elephant Thai Cuisine
• Mai Thai

Health

Best Chiropractor: Paula Gray-Mitchell

Runners up:

• Vallejo Chiropractic
• Amso Chiropractic

Best Dental Practice: Morgan Nordstrom

Runners up:

• Harbor Dental
• Southampton Dental Care

Best Dentist: Morgan Nordstrom

Runners up:

• Scott Swoboda
• Michael Vallarta

Best Dermatology Practice: Solano Dermatology

Runners up:

• Kaiser Vallejo

Best Esthetician: S.B Esthetics

Runners up:

• Infinity Aesthetics
• Nature's Confidence

Best Exercise Studio: Vallejo Yoga

Runners up:

• Club Pilates Benicia
• The Mat

Best Eye Doctor: Vallejo Optometry Group

Runners up:

• Ebright Optometry
• Mendoza Family Eye Care

Best Gym/Health Club: In-Shape

Runners up:

• Combat Fitness - Rapacon's Martial Arts
• Club Pilates Benicia

Best Hair Salon: Mi Belleza Hair Studio

Runners up:

• Kenny Le Salon
• Dash Salon

Best Massage Therapist: Tune Up Holistic Health

Runners up:

• Beau Belisle
• Supernova Spa

Best Nail Salon: Blossom Nails

Runners up:

• Gaia Nails Organic Nails
• Nails Design

Best OBGYN: Kaiser Vallejo

Runners up:

• La Clinica North

Best Physician: Paige Yoshisato

Runners up:

• Matthew Symkowick
• Ann Finkelstein

Best Spa: S.B Esthetics

Runners up:

• Nature's Confidence
• Infinity Aesthetics

Best Yoga Studio: The Mat

Runners up:

• Vallejo Yoga

Kids

Best Charter School: Griffin Technology Academies

Runners up:

• Elite Public Schools
• Caliber Changemakers Academy

Best Child Care Center: Mee Mee's lil Grasshoppers

Runners up:

• Special Touch Learning and Training Academy Daycare
• Baby Bears Daycare

Best Martial Arts Instruction: William Kim's Tae Kwon Do Center

Runners up:

• Combat Fitness-Rapacon's Martial Arts
• Benicia Boxing & Martial Arts

Best Music Instruction: Consumer Music

Runners up:

• In Harmony Music
• 851 Music Studio

Best Place for Family Fun: Children’s Wonderland

Runners up:

• Scandia Golfland

Best Place for Kids to Play: Children's Wonderland

Runners up:

• Children’s wonderland
• Benicia Community Park

Best Playground: Children's Wonderland

Runners up:

• Benicia Community Park
• City Park Benicia

Best Preschool: Vallejo Parent Nursery School

Runners up:

• St. Catherine of Siena Preschool
• Vallejo KinderCare

Best Private School: St. Patrick St. Vincent's High School

Runners up:

• North Hills Christian School

Best Public School: Steffan Manor Elementary School

Runners up:

• Dan Mini Elementary School
• Cave Language Academy

Pets

Best Doggie Day Care: Aardvarks Adventureland

Runners up:

• Benicia Pet Services
• California Pampered Pooches

Best Pet Friendly Bar/Restaurant: Mare Island Brewing Co.

Runners up:

• Provisions
• The Sardine Can

Best Pet Groomer: Aardvarks Adventureland

Runners up:

• Featherer Pet Grooming
• Napa Natural Dog Co.

Best Pet Store: Powell Bros. Feed & Pet Supply

Runners up:

• The Pet Shoppe
• Mugsy's Pet Supply & Barkery

Best Pet Trainer: NexGen K9 Training

Runners up:

• Vallejo Dog Training Club
• Doggy Detail Dog Training

Best Place to Adopt a New Pet: Humane Society of the North Bay

Runners up:

• Community Cat Advocates

Best Veterinarian: Broadway Animal Hospital

Runners up:

• Bayside Veterinary Hospital
• Redwood Veterinary Hospital

Services

Best Alterations: Crown Tailors

Runners up:

• In Stitches Custom Tailoring
• Daniell Design Studio

Best Attorney: Melissa Nold

Runners up:

• Brittany Whittington
• Jason Buckingham

Best Auto Mechanic: Milt's Service Garage

Runners up:

• Vallejo Broadway Auto Repair
• Dwight's Mobile Brake Service

Best Barber Shop: Vanny's Hair & Spa

Runners up:

• Cecy's Hair Salon
• Hinton Barber and Beauty College

Best Car Wash: 7 Flags Full & Self Service Car Wash & Detail Center

Runners up:

• 7 Flags
• American Canyon Car Wash

Best Cleaning Service: B'santi Cleaning and Vacation Rental Management

Runners up:

• AURA a professional cleaning service
• Yaz’s Cleaning Services

Best Customer Service: B'santi Cleaning and Vacation Rental Management

Runners up:

• Bayshore Materials Inc.
• Drive Thru Dairy

Best Dry Cleaner: Vallejo Cleaners

Runners up:

• Willard's Cleaners
• Gateway Cleaners

Best Electrician/Company: Caro Electric LLC

Runners up:

• K Butler Electric
• Super Electric

Best General Contractor: Omega Construction & Handyman Services

Runners up:

• The Handyman JOHN
• Benicia Home Improvement Center

Best Heating & Air Company: A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air

Runners up:

• Vallejo Heating & Air Conditioning
• Miller's Sheet Metal Heating & Air

Best Home Builder: Omega Construction and Handyman Services

Runners up:

• Cardoza Builder
• Cascade at Waterstone by Tri Pointe Homes

Best Insurance Agency: State Farm - Alicia Cook

Runners up:

• Vallejo Insurance Associates
• State Farm  - Maria Zuniga

Best Junk Removal: PJ's Junk Removal

Runners up:

• Bay Hauling
• Strong Sons Junk Removal

Best Laundromat: Vallejo Wash N Dry

Runners up:

• JC'S Launderland
• Fairgrounds Laundry

Best Photographer: My Legacy Matters

Runners up:

• Pink Salt Photos
• Ok Kyong Hanrahan

Best Plumber/Company: Benicia Plumbing

Runners up:

• Sergio's Plumbing
• Vallejo Plumbers

Best Property Management Company: The Sayles Group

Runners up:

• Nesci Property Management

Best Realtor: Diana Lang

Runners up:

• Toni E. Mallory
• Pippin Dew

Best Realty Company: The Sayles Group

Runners up:

• Napa River Realty
• Coldwell Banker

Best Roofing Company: Henry Roofing

Runners up:

• Vallejo Roofing Pros
• All Seasons Roofing

Best Tax Preparer/Accountant: Keegan's Tax & Financial Service

Runners up:

• Lara's Income Tax
• M & G Tax Services

Most Knowledgable Staff: Bayshore Materials Inc.

Runners up:

• Congressman John Garamendi
• AP Business Collective

Shopping

Best Bookstore: Alibi Bookshop

Runners up:

• Bookshop Benicia
• Ethnic Notions

Best Garden Store/Nursery: KC Plants & More

Runners up:

• Succulents and More
• Daughter of Luna

Best Gift Store: Anchor Pantry

Runners up:

• Every Day Is A Gift
• Fenix Mystic Candle

Best Grocery Store: Grocery Outlet

Runners up:

• Anchor Pantry
• Island Pacific

Best Hardware Store: Pedrotti Ace Hardware

Runners up:

• Harbor Freight

Best Thrift Shop: Eco Thrift

Runners up:

• The ReVibe Shop
• SSMC Guild Volunteer Thrift Shop