Davis Keeps Culture
Going All Year Long
No one wants to face clogged roads, overbooked lodging, tough-to-get dinner reservations and other hassles that can take the fun out of a vacation. On the other hand, the college town provides a constant roster of fun, from campus culture and ambience to festivals, farmers’ markets and beyond. In California, you won't find a more iconic college town than Davis, a great place to visit at any time of year.
Located about one hour from San Francisco in Yolo County, Davis’ leafy streets and mellow atmosphere feel light years away. The city has grown over the years, but you won’t end up with traffic-induced headaches or other big city blues in this bucolic setting full of bike paths, independent shops, and one-of-a-kind restaurants.
Adjacent to downtown Davis, you can find the UC Davis campus, a great place to stroll along tree-lined paths, have a picnic on the quad, or see what’s on tap at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. The Manetti Shrem Museum of Art was recently recognized by ARTnews as one of the “25 Best Museum Buildings of the Past 100 Years,” the only public university to receive this accolade.
In Davis, summer and fall abound with outdoor celebrations, like the Davis Music Festival in June and monthly Bat Talk and Walks from June to September. October’s Zombie Bike Parade combines theatrical performances with the local passion for all things two-wheeled. Spring brings California Duck Days and the Davis Cherry Blossom Festival, among others, in April, as well as May’s Ceramic Festival and UC Davis’ Whole Earth Festival.
Like the Shrem Museum, the UC Davis Arboretum frequently receives national accolades. One could easily spend a day traversing the 100-acre arboretum, the site of over 4,000 focused plantings in the Acacia Grove, Mediterranean and East Asian Collections, three of more than ten featured botanical areas. The Native American Contemplative Garden and Oak and Redwood Groves are favorite spots to pause and unwind. The arboretum also serves as a classroom for students and visitors alike; make sure to check out the Arboretum All-Stars, recommended plants for your California garden, in the Arboretum Teaching Nursery.
Nature lovers are never far from habitat in Davis. Escape to the arboretum’s Putah Creek Riparian Reserve with binoculars in hand. Attend one of the “Bat Ballet” tours held from June to September, when one of California’s largest populations of migrating bats departs from its roosting place on the Yolo Causeway to hunt for nocturnal insects.
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Of course, the world-renowned Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis decants beautifully for the visitor. Many restaurants feature wine lists that overflow with exceptional vintages made by winemakers who learned their craft just minutes away, on campus. The Davis Wine Bar and Nashoba Wines Cork It Again offer an excellent introduction to the exciting world of California wines. Great Bear Vineyards, located in Davis proper, is worth a visit to learn about small-batch, by-hand winemaking and take a stroll among the lavender fields.
The boutique scene in Davis is every bit as independent as the cuisine. Antique hunters will find several bastions of ephemera, including Artifact. Clothing and jewelry shops also span the spectrum from general apparel at The Wardrobe to distinctive fashions at Bohème Clothing, among many others. And don’t forget the esoterica like A Better Place to Bead, yet another college town plus. You’ll also find more than one bookstore; ditto with bike shops and outdoor retailers.
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Davis abounds with art as well. The Davis Art Walk Map highlights more than 70 places of interest. The Natsoulas Gallery is a must-visit for its diverse exhibitions as well as its many workshops and lectures. The Pence Gallery also features a rotating exhibit schedule throughout the year, as well as public series like Second Friday Art-About (a reception with other aesthetes), curator talks, and docent and garden tours. The Artery, an artist cooperative, brings local artists and art lovers together for exhibitions, demonstrations, and open studios. Several other independent galleries are fantastic places to find art to take home as well.
Where there are artists and intellectuals, you are guaranteed to find outstanding cuisine, terrace ambience, and nightlife. From crepes to steaks, bistros to wine bars, Davis hosts more than 90 dining options. You won’t find many national chains among the tree-lined downtown streets, where independent ethnic restaurants like Burma Eat, Katmandu Kitchen, and many others serve unique offerings. American and Californian cuisine are on the menu here too.
Of course, the world-renowned Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis decants beautifully for the visitor. Many restaurants feature wine lists that overflow with exceptional vintages made by winemakers who learned their craft just minutes away, on campus. The Davis Wine Bar and Nashoba Wines Cork It Again offer an excellent introduction to the exciting world of California wines. Great Bear Vineyards, located in Davis proper, is worth a visit to learn about small-batch, by-hand winemaking and take a stroll among the lavender fields.
The boutique scene in Davis is every bit as independent as the cuisine. Antique hunters will find several bastions of ephemera, including Artifact. Clothing and jewelry shops also span the spectrum from general apparel at The Wardrobe to distinctive fashions at Bohème Clothing, among many others. And don’t forget the esoterica like A Better Place to Bead, yet another college town plus. You’ll also find more than one bookstore; ditto with bike shops and outdoor retailers.
From Biking to Boutique Browsing to Bat Viewing—Davis Checks All the Boxes
Speaking of bikes, Davis has long been regarded among the top cycling towns in the nation, a title it takes very seriously with well over 100 miles of bike lanes and paths within the city limits. Home of the U.S. Bike Hall of Fame, Davis was also the first city in America to install bike signals. The Davis Bike Loop Map is available digitally, or you can pick up a physical copy at B&L Bike Shop or Ken’s Bike Ski Board. With ideal cycling weather year-round and a community full of people who consider the bike their primary transportation mode, riding in Davis is akin to pedaling in few other cities in the world.
Whether you're a cyclist checking off your Davis Savings Pass, or eager to decompress by walking around a shady college town for a few days, the city abounds with downtown accommodations like The Vine Inn, The Aggie, and Palm Court, among others. Davis also offers a variety of other preferred lodging options, often with bike rentals and additional savings attached. This summer, the Marriott Residence Inn, Davis, has added a Davis Farmers Market package that includes a bottle of wine or sparkling cider and $25 in Farmers Market “Bucks” to use at the Wednesday or Saturday happening. The Aggie Inn features cottages, perfect for romantic, family, and multigenerational stays.
Strolling through a leafy college town, surveying the Wednesday or Saturday cornucopia of flowers, crafts, vegetables, and food at the year-round Farmers Market in Central Park, or renting a cruiser to explore all offer us the perfect opportunity to experience slow travel paradise. The days just seem to stretch a little longer in Davis. Visit the comprehensive Visit Davis website to start plotting your slowdown in downtown.
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Explore Davis
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