Cool California

Dos Coyotes Border Cafe

Dos Coyotes Border Café took steps to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at two locations in Davis, making Dos Coyotes an even more popular place to eat. Owner Bobby Coyote decided to help the environment by changing the way he runs his businesses.

To save money and achieve greenhouse gas reductions, Dos Coyotes implemented the use of formaldehyde free building products, installed high efficiency HVAC systems, installed AC economizers and recycled paint instead of throwing it away. They use compostable dinnerware in the restaraunt to reduce waste.

Growing Energy Efficiency

Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery

Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery is literally growing money on trees with energy-efficiency improvements. Like many small businesses, Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery relied on high bay metal halide lighting fixtures and outdated T-12 fluorescent lights that consumed large amounts of energy. Business owner David Henry wondered what he could do to reduce energy costs. He contacted the Small Business Energy Alliance (SBEA), an organization that used energy efficiency funds from the California Public Utilities Commission to help small business owners save energy and money.

Taking Advantage of the Sun's Rays

The Lobster Restaurant

"The Lobster" Restaurant in Santa Monica has long been an unofficial historical landmark, almost as recognizable as the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier.

Losing the Waste

Seton Medical Center Coastside

Seton Medical Center Coastside lost tons of waste, earning the Center a State Waste Reduction Award in 2006. Reducing waste translated into cost-savings and environmental benefits.

Carbon-Friendly Coffee House

Nomad Café

In this small but cozy corner café, drinking coffee is good for both you and the environment. Nomad’s owner, Christopher Waters, set out to create “a community center where people can come together, practice whatever it is that they do” with sustainability as a core value. Since the business opened in May 2003, Nomad implemented environmentally-friendly product and material uses as well as solid waste reduction strategies, energy efficiency measures, operation conservation measures, and vehicle pollution prevention policies.

Running On Biodiesel

Clif Bar & Company

"Clif Bar & Company has been researching alternative fuels for a few years now," said Bryan Cole, Clif Bar & Company’s director of field experience. "We hope we can inspire consumers and other companies to help protect the planet by sharing our experience and exploration of alternative fuels."

Eco-Friendly Exercise

The Bo Tree

UPDATE: FACILITY IS NOW CLOSED. BUT READ BELOW TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR GREEN BUSINESS ACTIONS. (AUGUST 2016)

In this Davis yoga studio, exercising is good for both you and the environment. The Bo Tree was created in 2002 by Teri Bowen as a green yoga studio and has expanded into green consulting. The Bo Tree actively promotes eco-living practices in the business community and is committed to actions that minimize environmental harm and maximize environmental benefit.

Eco-friendly Boutique Hotel

Orchard Garden Hotel

San Francisco's first truly eco-friendly hotel is "green" from the ground floor to the rooftop. The Orchard Garden Hotel was the first California hotel awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Orchard Garden is the third hotel in the U.S. and fourth in the world with this certification. The Orchard Garden achieved LEED certification in part with its effective building envelope and core system.