Things To Do
in Davis
Davis, California is a small, bicycle-first university town best known as the home of UC Davis and its active campus community. The city blends a lively college culture with strong agricultural roots, abundant farmers markets and a focus on sustainability and local food. Wide bike paths, tree-lined streets and the Arboretum make it easy to explore on foot or two wheels, while nearby creeks, wetlands and regional parks invite outdoor adventure.
Davis is also a convenient gateway to Sacramento, Napa and the wider Northern California Central Valley and Coast regions.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at a local café, enjoying fresh pastries and coffee. After breakfast, take a stroll through the historic downtown area, admiring the well-preserved architecture and unique shops. Don't forget to stop by the Davis Farmers Market, which is vibrant with local produce and artisan goods.
Spend your afternoon visiting the UC Davis campus, where you can explore the stunning arboretum filled with native plants and scenic walking paths. Consider stopping by the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art to view contemporary and historical works. Wrap up the afternoon with lunch at one of the campus eateries, sampling seasonal dishes made with local ingredients.
As night falls, enjoy dinner at a farm-to-fork restaurant, where the menu showcases fresh, local produce. After your meal, take a leisurely walk through the campus or downtown to soak in the evening atmosphere. End your day with a visit to a local brewery or wine bar, tasting regional beers or wines while mingling with locals.
Begin your day with breakfast at a cozy café before heading to the UC Davis Arboretum for a morning of birdwatching and nature walks. The tranquil surroundings and diverse flora make it an ideal spot for photography and reflection. Be on the lookout for local wildlife, including various bird species and the occasional deer.
In the afternoon, visit the nearby Putah Creek for a leisurely kayaking or canoeing experience, surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife. Alternatively, enjoy a picnic lunch by the creek, taking in the serene environment while you relax. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with nature and unwind from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
As the sun sets, enjoy a barbecue dinner at a local park, where you can grill and enjoy the warm evening air. Gather around with friends or family, sharing stories and laughter while cooking under the stars. After dinner, consider attending a local outdoor concert or movie night, soaking in the community spirit.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $10-15 |
| ☕️Coffee (regular café) | $3-5 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $100-180 |
| 🚌Local bus fare (one-way) | $1.50-2.50 |
| 🚲Bike rental (day) | $15-35 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Extremely bike-friendly, making exploration easy and pleasant.
- Strong local food culture with frequent farmers markets and farm-to-table dining.
- Close access to natural areas—creeks, wetlands, reserves—for outdoor recreation.
- Safe, walkable downtown and a lively but low-key college-town vibe.
- Hot, dry summers may be uncomfortable for some visitors.
- Limited late-night entertainment compared with larger cities.
- Public transit outside the city is limited; a car may be needed for some regional trips.
- Some services and venues follow academic calendars and are quieter outside term time.
Places to Visit in Davis
Visit one of these nice places.
Beautiful plant collections, winding pathways, water features and seasonal blooms provide varied subjects from macro plant shots to wide landscape frames.
Creek-side scenes, reflections, and riparian habitat are great for nature photography, especially at golden hour and during bird migrations.
Colorful murals, historic storefronts and lively street scenes capture the small-town college vibe and community events.
Expansive wetlands and seasonal flooding attract birds and wildlife—ideal for wildlife and landscape photography, particularly in winter and spring.
Rural roads and farm fields around Davis provide classic Northern California agricultural vistas at sunrise and sunset.
Food in Davis
Davis Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Rotating menus that highlight locally grown vegetables, fruit and proteins; available at many downtown restaurants and cafés, especially during spring and summer.
Must-Try!
Davis and Yolo County produce quality olive oil—tastings and bottles are commonly sold at farmers markets and specialty shops.
Influenced by California and Mexican cuisine, you'll find fresh burritos, rice bowls and salads using local ingredients across casual eateries.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A lively market (especially Saturday mornings) offering fresh produce, prepared foods, baked goods, local cheeses, olive oil tastings, and food stalls—perfect for sampling seasonal bites.
Occasional food trucks and pop-ups appear around downtown events and outside campus; try tacos, kebabs, crepes and seasonal street-food specials.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Yield to cyclists on bike lanes, watch for bike traffic at intersections, and follow local bike rules—cyclists are plentiful and expect predictable behavior from pedestrians and drivers.
Davis residents are informal and friendly; a simple greeting and polite thanks are appropriate. Conversations about sustainability, food and local events are common.
UC Davis is an active academic environment—respect posted rules, quiet hours in residential areas, and private property near research facilities.
Safety
Tipping in Davis
Ensure a smooth experience
Standard U.S. tipping applies: 15–20% at full-service restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars or $5 for exceptional service, $2–5 for food delivery and rounding up or 10–15% for taxi/ride-share drivers if service is good.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common. Cash is accepted but less frequent—carry small bills for farmers markets or street vendors.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Pleasant temperatures, blooming wildflowers and productive farmers markets make spring a favorite time to visit; pack a light jacket for cool mornings and evenings.
Hot, dry and sunny with daytime highs often in the upper 80s to mid-90s°F (30s°C); bike early or late to avoid the hottest hours and bring sun protection and water.
Warm days and cooler nights with harvest-season activities nearby; fall colors appear in some trees and vineyards, and crowds thin compared to summer.
Cool and wetter weather from November through March with most rain falling in this period; temperatures are mild compared with mountain areas but bring a rain jacket for wet days.
Davis at Night
Hiking in Davis
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Short drives from Davis bring you to oak-dotted trails, spring wildflowers and moderate hikes with views of the Putah Creek watershed.
Trails along the creek provide easy walks, birdwatching and peaceful waterside scenery close to town.
Offers longer hikes, river access, and more rugged terrain for those willing to drive a bit farther for varied outdoor opportunities.
Flat walking and birding routes through seasonal wetlands and open fields—excellent for photography and wildlife observation, particularly in migration season.
A longer drive but worthwhile for lakeside hikes, viewpoints and water-based recreation in a more remote setting.
Airports
How to reach Davis by plane.
The closest major airport (~20-30 minutes by car) with domestic flights and some international connections; convenient ground transportation and car rental options.
About 1–1.25 hours away depending on traffic; offers many domestic and international flights and is useful for Bay Area access.
Approximately 1.5–2 hours by car; a major international hub with the broadest range of flights but often heavier traffic and longer transfer times.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A large portion of the population is affiliated with UC Davis—undergraduates, graduate students, researchers and faculty—bringing diversity, cultural events and an active daytime population.
Davis has stable residential neighborhoods with families attracted by good schools, parks and community amenities.
The surrounding Yolo County agricultural economy includes farmworkers and small-scale producers who contribute to the local food system.
Davis hosts a mix of ethnic communities, including Latino and Asian populations, reflected in restaurants, shops and community events.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
UC Davis athletics—football, basketball, baseball and volleyball—are central to local sports culture; attending a game provides a community atmosphere.
Both commuting and recreational cycling are extremely popular; many locals participate in group rides and charity cycling events.
With flat routes and open spaces, running and multisport training are common among students and residents.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Davis.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are plentiful thanks to the health-conscious and student population—many menus feature vegetable-forward plates, grain bowls and meat-free alternatives.
Vegan-friendly cafés and restaurants are common; check menus for dairy-free and plant-based choices and ask kitchens to modify dishes when needed.
Most restaurants can offer gluten-free options but cross-contamination is possible; local bakeries and the co-op often carry gluten-free products.
Dedicated Halal or Kosher restaurants are limited in Davis; travelers may need to rely on vegetarian options or nearby Sacramento for broader choices.