Support Local | Food and Drink Shops

January, 28, 2021

With the start of a new year comes a time of reflection, resolutions, and new goals. With so many businesses affected this past year by the ongoing pandemic, we believe a great goal to set for 2021 is to support local. Many stores, shops, and restaurants are open for business, curbside pickup, and online ordering. We have gathered up a list of local shops all around the Tri-Valley and Fremont area that you can feel good about supporting.

Food & Drink Shops

Whether you are in the mood for fresh coffee, tea, new wine, or something sweet, your local food and drink shops are the perfect place to start. The quality mixed with the ability to try locally made food and drinks can surpass the ease of shopping at chain grocery and coffee stores. These shops are open now and ready to serve up delicious treats.

Inklings Coffee | 530 Main St, Pleasanton

Located in downtown Pleasanton, this locally-owned coffee and tea shop has a great ambiance and plenty of books to read while you sip.

In their own words “a place IN the community, FOR the community. An unhurried coffee shop inspired by the adventure stories of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. A place where you can take time to wonder, converse, connect, and be inspired.”

The Wine Steward | 641 Main Street, Pleasanton

The Wine Steward is a local wine shop with personalized service and a large selection. They are thrilled to now offer you the ability to shop online!

The store is open with limited capacity and following CDC guidelines.

Espresso Rosetta | 206 S J St, Livermore

This shop is locally-owned by long-time residents of Livermore, as well as long-time coffee connoisseurs. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and tea along with pastries.

Casse Croute Bakery | 50 S Livermore Ave, Livermore

Serving French-press coffee & sandwiches, this quaint spot offers house-baked bread & pastries. Freshly baked in house daily, enjoy warm croissants, muffins, buttery, sugary brioche, and a cup of hot french press coffee!

Danville Cigar Fine Wine & Gifts | 445 Hartz Ave, Danville

Posh retailer of cigars, wine, artisan chocolate & upscale gifts, with a garden patio for smoking. Here you can discover a rare selection of fine wines & port vintages, some of which are exclusive to their store. Most of their wines and ports are from the neighboring Napa and Sonoma valley regions.

Medleno Coffee Shop & Roastery | 480 San Ramon Valley Blvd, Danville

A locally-owned coffee shop that prides itself on quality. Their coffee beans are always freshly roasted and the coffee drinks are freshly brewed. In their own words, their mission is “to provide the freshest locally roasted gourmet coffee experience to aficionados and connoisseurs who share a passion for coffee.”

Seven Hills Baking Co. | 3295 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley

This bakery is owned by Julien Wagner, an award-winning chef with experience at top restaurants in Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Visit and enjoy classic baguettes and other French loaves he has perfected over the years, along with nourishing whole and sprouted grains on his bread menu, sandwiches to take away, and laminated croissants and Danish pastries.

Doc’s Wine Shop | 22570 Foothill Blvd, Hayward

This small shop owned by a Certified Sommelier features hundreds of brand names of white and red wine, including Chardonnays, Merlots, Pinot Noirs, Zinfandels, and Cabernets, Doc also offers a wide selection of beer, cheese, and wine gift baskets.

Devout Coffee | 37323 Niles Blvd, Fremont

Patrons can watch coffee being roasted & extracted at this spartan, modern coffeehouse with a patio. Sourced and extracted with precision and care, It is why they serve simple drinks without compromise, so patrons can actually taste some of the best coffee from incredible coffee farms located around the world.

Mary’s Bakery | 34370 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

Family owned and operated, this bright bakery set in a shopping plaza, offers Asian-style pastries, cakes & buns that are incredibly popular with local residents.

We would love to hear of other great shops to support! Let us know below.

Kona Honors Coffee Farmers

October, 21, 2014

In the early 1800s the first coffee tree clippings were planted in Kona by Samuel Ruggles. The clippings took to the rich volcanic-soil and the cool mountain climate and grew into coffee trees. Now, almost 200 years later, the handpicked Kona coffee cherries are regarded as some of the best in the world.

Kona coffee trees bloom in the spring and are harvested in the fall. Each autumn we celebrate the harvest and the coffee farmers during the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. This year marks the 44th time the festival will take place. If you would like to try some tasty coffee and learn a bit about cultivating coffee trees, you’ll want to make sure to attend a few of the events from November 7-16, 2014. For a full listing of events go to www.konacoffeefest.com

Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll: (Historic Holualoa Village) Take a stroll through this charming village with its art galleries and quaint cafes. While you’re here you’ll be able to sample Kona coffee from over thirty local farms. This event will take place November 8th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant: (78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona) Come see the new face of Kona coffee on November 8th at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa. The winner of the pageant will receive a college scholarship and travel to Japan on a promotional tour of Kona coffee. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

Kona Coffee Picking Contest and Games: (75-5568 Mamalahoa Highway, Holualoa) Bring your kids out to compete for their community organization (scouts, 4-H, Halau, etc). Teams of six will pick coffee cherries for a chance to win prize money on November 9th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Then get ready for a finger-licking-good barbeque sponsored by the UCC Ueshima Coffee Co.

Kona Coffee Recipe Contest & Big Island Showcase: (78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona) Amateurs and professional chefs will present their entrée and dessert recipes featuring 100% Kona coffee. Come on down to the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa to try some amazing cuisine from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on November 9th.

Celebrate Kona Day: (75-5760 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona) The week-long festival will end with a street fair in downtown Kona on November 16th from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Wander through the streets and taste local cuisine while listening to live music. Then head on over to the Hale Halawai Pavillion to sample Kona coffee and try your swing on the mini golf course.

If you would like more information about Big Island community events or details about one of our luxury listings, please get in touch with us at MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty.

2014 Ka’u Coffee Festival

April, 29, 2014

On the slopes of Mauna Loa (near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) under a veil of mist you’ll find rows of Ka’u coffee trees. This award-winning coffee may not be as well-known as the world-famous Kona coffee, but it’s rich and tasty and often has a hint of macadamia nut.

If you’ve never tried Ka’u coffee, you won’t want to miss the sixth annual Ka‘u Coffee Festival. There will be entertainment, tastings, tours, and a whole lot more from May 2nd to the 11th. Below you’ll find a list of some of the highlights.

Pa’ina and Open House (May 2, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Pahala Plantation House): The festival begins with a hula performance by the Halau Hula O Leionalani. There will also be live music, guided house tours, and Ka’u coffee for the tasting. Admission is free.

Triple C Recipe Contest (May 2, starts at 12:00 PM at the Ka‘u Coffee Mill): Want to try some candy and cakes? Then you’ll want to make sure to come by this competition. All the deserts entered are made with Ka’u coffee. Admission is free and there will be complimentary recipe samples.

Coffee & Cattle Day (May 9, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Aikane Plantation Coffee Farms): Ka’u coffee was first grown in 1894 by J.C. Searle. Follow a guided tour of the ranch/ farm where it all began and learn a little history in the process. The tour will be followed by a buffet lunch with grass-fed beef, a variety of side dishes, and desserts. Tickets are $25.

Ka’u Coffee Festival Ho’olaule’a (May 10, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Pahala Community Center): This all-day celebration will include local music, hula performances, and Hawaiian fare. Vendors will be on hand to sell beautiful crafts. There will also be coffee tastings and guided farm/ mill tours. Festival entry is free.

Ka’u Coffee College (May 11, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Pahala Community Center): Attendees will have a chance to study up on the coffee industry. There will also be guided farm/ mill tours. Admission is free, but guided tours are $20.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your weekend bag and come down to the Ka’u district. There’s sure to be fun for the whole family.

Ka’u Coffee?

March, 6, 2013

If you’ve visited the Big Island, you’ve probably tried the world-famous Kona coffee. But did you know the Big Island has a second award-winning coffee district in Ka’u? In 2012 three Ka’u coffee farmers earned the “Specialty Coffee Association of America’s International Coffees of the Year Award.” And this year the unique flavor of Ka’u coffee is sure to gain even more attention.

On the slopes of Mauna Loa (near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park) under a veil of mist you’ll find rows of macadamia nut and coffee trees. Many of the farms have guided tours and give free samples. If you’re vacationing on the Big Island you should drive up. The farms offer a great change in scenery as well as a very special experience.

Ka’u coffee has a remarkable flavor which one esteemed coffee taster described as a mix of “chocolate, cherry, and coconut accented with floral notes of orchid and citrus flowers.” Since it is produced in such small quantities the price for a pound can range from $20 to $100. Still, you shouldn’t let the price deter you. By supporting these small farms you are helping preserve a tradition and process that has lasted for over a hundred years.

Ka’u coffee was first grown in 1894 by J.C. Searle. It was hand-picked and sun dried in small batches. Fast forward to today and you’ll see not much has changed. It has become known for its quality on an international scale, but it is still processed the same way with each coffee tree being hand-picked by locals. Maybe that’s why it tastes so good. Ka’u coffee is grown with pride by farmers who care about each batch they sell.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Ka’u coffee tour today. You can browse our vacation rentals online at, www.letsgohawaii.com or get in touch with us for more information at, MacArthur and Company Sotheby’s International Realty.

South Kona Coffee Plantation

January, 20, 2012

Have you ever thought about owning your own coffee plantation? Imagine waking up in the morning and brewing your own Kona coffee from cherries that were picked only a few feet from your doorstep. While you’re thinking about it picture yourself holding a steaming mug on your back deck as the sun rises over Kealakekua Bay while a flock of nene call in the distance and the cool ocean breeze sweeps across your face.

Owning a Kona orchard isn’t for everyone and shouldn’t be taken on without some thought. Harvesting coffee cherries is a meticulous process that takes a lot of time and effort. Add on the business side of things and you are talking about a full-time job. However, if you visit some of the Kona farms on the Big Island you may decide owning a plantation is just the thing for you. Maintaining a Kona orchard is more than having a couple of pretty plants; it’s being part of a long tradition that is deeply imbedded in the Hawaiian cultural.

At the moment we have a beautiful coffee plantation at 84-5095 Mamalahoa Hwy in South Kona. This 6.31 acre property is at an elevation (1,050 ft.) ideal for growing coffee and other fruit trees. Three structures are included: main house, guest house, and coffee shack. The three bedroom/ two bath main house was remodeled in 1992 and now has double wall construction, new laminate flooring, and a new roof. The guest cottage has one bedroom and one bath, perfect for out of town visitors. The 584 sq. ft. coffee shack can be used as a workers quarters or a storage shed. Approximately 3,000 coffee trees have been planted as well as many other fruit trees including lychee, avocado, cherimoya, tangerine, and many more.

If you are interested in 84-5095 Mamalahoa Hwy, or would like information about one of our other listings, please get in touch with us at MacArthur and Company / Sotheby’s International Realty.

Only in Hawaii – Kona Coffee Farms

June, 20, 2011

Kona King Coffee Farm — Kona Coffee Cherries

What’s so special about Kona coffee? Is it the flavor? Is it the rarity of the beans? (At $20-$50 a pound it sells for three to five times as much as other coffee beans.) Or is it something else? Maybe the scent of Hawaii gets trapped inside when the beans are roasted. Maybe the steam seeping out of a tall mug in the morning reminds us of lava, fresh rain, and the grass growing on the side of Hualalai.

Whatever the attraction is, it’s well worth your while to explore the Kona Districts. In the 1800s, the first coffee plant cuttings were brought to the Big Island of Hawaii. Ever since the Kona Districts, a twenty-two mile long and two mild wide area, has been growing premium coffee. Sun filled mornings, rainy afternoons, and cool evenings create unique growing conditions which farmers say gives this coffee its specific flavor.

During the fall, you can try coffee samples and pick coffee cherries at the annual Kona Coffee Festival (November 4-13, 2011.) Events such as the International Lantern Parade, and the Coffee Picking Contest celebrate the Kona Districts’ heritage and give participants a taste of what it’s like to work a Kona Farm.

Bigislandreale Property — Kona Coffee Farm

Still, you don’t have to wait for the festival to visit a Kona farm. You can stay at the Ka’awa Loa Plantation and Guest Retreat, a 5.6 acre sustainable plantation. Or you can check-in to the solar powered guesthouse at the Kona Rainforest Coffee Farm, where geese handle weed control and organic coffee beans are picked, dried and roasted on the premises.

If you’d like to see more than one farm, why not take a drive through the Kona Districts. During you’re trip, have a look at one of our properties, a 4.7 acre Kona coffee farm just waiting to be cultivated.

Do you have questions about our listings? Get in touch with us at MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty.