Good morning Tri-Valley! Thank you for reading, there are lots of good stuff to checkout this week!
Jumpstart your health goals for 2026 with Joya
Best Fries in California are in Pleasanton? 🍟
Austrian food 101 and why you’re going to love Naschmarkt
Big AI News at LLNL
News Around the Valley - Super Bowl Events around the Bay, and more
Dublin’s Spring Activity Guide is Available Now!
Time is running out - tickets selling fast for the most diverse wine festival ever! 🍷
In Partnership with JOYA
JOYA - A Better Way to Start the New Year!
$39 for the first 30 days. Unlimited classes. Cancel Your Membership Anytime. No Commitments.
Every January, many of us set big goals: work out more, eat better, sleep longer. And every January… life gets busy. The problem usually isn’t motivation — it’s that our resolutions are too big, too vague, and hard to sustain.
Real change almost always starts smaller than we think. Twenty minutes of movement beats an hour at the gym you never make it to. One healthy meal is better than chasing a “perfect” diet.
That’s why JOYA really stood out to me.
JOYA is built around helping people actually follow through — by focusing on attainable goals and surrounding you with a supportive community. Whether you’re brand new to fitness or simply looking to try something different, JOYA makes it easy to begin and stick with it.
Here’s what locals love about JOYA:
Totally beginner-friendly, no experience needed
A wide variety of classes including yoga, cycle, strength, barre, Pilates, and more
Multiple studio locations across the Tri-Valley
A welcoming community where instructors truly care
If building healthier habits — without pressure or perfection — sounds appealing, January is a great time to give JOYA a try. Their $39 Intro Month makes it easy to explore classes, meet the community, and see if it’s the right fit.
Sometimes the best resolutions aren’t about doing more — they’re about starting smarter. Click here to learn more.
California’s Best French Fries? Chowhound Says They’re in Pleasanton at the Beer Baron!
Congrats to the Beer Baron in downtown Pleasanton! Chowhound named their top picks for French Fries in every state and the Beer Baron’s Belgian Duck Fat Fries. Read more here!
Austrian Food 101 - You’re Going to LOVE It!
If you think Austrian food is old-school European fare, Naschmarkt is about to surprise you. This downtown Pleasanton favorite serves modern Austrian classics with a California twist — comforting, elevated, and full of personality. Expect beautifully executed schnitzel, goulash, and strudel, alongside steak, seafood, pastas, and more. Add in a strong cocktail program and a thoughtfully curated wine list featuring standout domestic and intriguing European selections, and you’ve got a winner. Warm, unpretentious, and perfect for date night — this is the kind of place you’ll be planning your return to before the check hits the table. I’m headed back to Naschmarkt this coming weekend so watch my Instagram for some foodie photos and video!
LLNL is Helping Lawmakers Understand AI
Last week, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in collaboration with the California Foundation for Commerce and the Livermore Lab Foundation, released a new report designed to help California lawmakers make sense of the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Titled “AI in Eight Pages: Bridging Technology to Policy through Science,” the report does exactly what it promises — breaking down complex AI topics into clear, science-based insights that are easy to understand and actually useful for decision-makers.
It covers why AI adoption is accelerating, the economic opportunities it creates for California industries, and the real risks to watch — including bias, misinformation, and security concerns. It also highlights how AI is already being used in the real world, from manufacturing and healthcare to energy, transportation, and public services.
News Around the Valley!
San Ramon is the 13th best small city in the country to launch a high-paying career according to this new study.
There are over 30 Super Bowl related events and concerts throughout the Bay Area during the week leading up to the Super Bowl on February 8th at Levi’s Stadium. Check out thie list here!
Pleasanton native and Giants’ World Series star, Brandon Crawford, named to Bay Areaa Sports Hall of Fame.
Zone 7 is planning a new water treatment facility in Pleasanton to remove PFAS from groundwater, improve water reliability, and protect water quality. Public review is open Jan 7–Feb 11, with a community meeting May 20.
Dublin’s Spring Activity Guide!
Whether you’re looking for toddler dance classes, adult fitness, community events, youth sports, and more, check out these great options in Dublin!
In Partnership with the Festival of Undiscovered Grapes
A Different Type of Wine Festival
The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes returns to San Jose on Saturday, January 31, from 12–5 PM, bringing together boutique producers from Paso Robles, Sonoma, Livermore Valley, Lodi, Santa Barbara, and beyond. Expect an impressive lineup of wines — many poured by the winemakers themselves, giving you the rare chance to ask questions, hear their stories, and connect directly with the people behind what’s in your glass.
One of the best parts? When you find a favorite (and you will), you can order on the spot and have your wines shipped straight to your door for one low delivery fee — complimentary for VIP ticket holders — no matter how many bottles you choose.
And yes — there’s a little bonus for Tri-Valley Explorer readers. VIP Tickets have a lot of perks and are almost sold out!
1.VIP Tickets: Special 2-ticket pack for $220 (a $30 savings) - Click Here. Tons of great perks with VIP tickets: Lodi Wine Seminar, early entry to the Tasting Arena, FREE delivery of any wines you order, one item from food purveyors ($15 value), a festival t-shirt, and other swag!
2. General Admission Tickets: Save $10 on each ticket with this special link.
