What to do and see in Davis, United States: The Best Places and Tips

December 31, 2017 Dorsey Hagwood

Davis, formerly known as Davisville, is a city in the U.S. state of California and the most populous city in Yolo County. It had a population of 65,622 in 2010, not including the on-campus population of the University of California, Davis, which was over 9,400 (not including students' families) in 2016. The city is a suburb of California's capital, Sacramento.
Restaurants in Davis

1. Davis Campus of the University of California

1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616-5270 +1 530-752-8111
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 187 reviews

Davis Campus of the University of California

Reviewed By Kristi K - Seal Beach, California

Our daughter was accepted to several UC's (including UCLA) and private schools (including USC). She chose Davis for its natural beauty, friendly town, amazing research programs, and just the nicest students you could imagine. We live in southern California, and the town of Davis just felt "good" to her, and all of us.

2. UC Davis Arboretum

448 La Rue Rd, Davis, CA 95616-5219 +1 530-752-4880
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 343 reviews

UC Davis Arboretum

This two-mile-long arboretum is a peaceful, popular spot.

Reviewed By Brad S - Davis, United States

UC Davis Arboretum is a treasure. Mostly paved walking path makes it walkable even on rainy days. Shaded with a heavy tree lined canopy makes it a great place to walk even in the heat of the summer. There are various "gardens/collections" along the loop path with informational signs about the plant species, their native origin, and other educational facts. Without predators the duck population has exploded and duck dropping are more prevalent than natural. Benches and tables along the Putah Creek loop course make this an enjoyable place to walk, relax, and unwind. A treasure to be preserved and protected.

3. Farmers Market

4th & C Streets, Davis, CA 95616 +1 530-756-1695
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 106 reviews

Farmers Market

Reviewed By Jan L - Davis, California

Large, friendly, year-round market on Saturdays and Wednesdays. For half the year (May-Oct) the Wednesday Farmer's Market is host to Picnic in the Park with live entertainment, local picnic foods from vendors and kiosks, and the farmer's market vendors. Lovely community meeting area for wonderful produce, and other foods and Picnic in the Park on Wednesdays during good weather.

4. Artery

207 G St, Davis, CA 95616-4516 +1 530-758-8330
Excellent
75%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 47 reviews

Artery

Reviewed By Urbane415 - San Francisco, California

The Artery is an artist owned and operated cooperative gallery of fine art and contemporary crafts. I have considered joining and showing works here, but I feel the quality of artwork displayed at the Artery is better than what I'm currently producing! I particularly love the shows--I've been able to meet artists and see new, exciting work in several genres, particularly painting and glass art. Every second Friday of the month there are

All of the pieces displayed at the Artery are for sale; for the most part, I find the prices reasonable, and sometimes even economical. I have purchased more than a few gifts for special occasions.

5. Davis Greenbelt

Davis, CA
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 50 reviews

Davis Greenbelt

Offering lighted paved and non-paved paths. Joggers and bikers can go for miles.

Reviewed By Sandra H - Davis

The miles of shady, grassy greenbelts weaving behind and between clusters of houses is the best feature of Davis. There are miles of paths to explore with flowering shrubs in season, some fall color with interesting artwork tucked away every so often. You need to get a bike-path map to find all of these often long, narrow parks but they are worth the search. Some open up into children's playgrounds, tennis courts or wetland areas with lakes and bird/wildlife viewing platforms. Walkers share the asphalt paths with runners, bikers and strollers so pay attention. While there is easy access to most of the paths from neighborhood streets that deadend into them, parking is somewhat limited there. It you are coming from somewhere else, look for parking on the busier streets that occasionally cut through the parks.

6. California Raptor Center

1340 Equine Ln, Davis, CA
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

California Raptor Center

Reviewed By SFBzoo - Sacramento, California

What a great group of people to help injured birds. They also provide a wonderful education to the general public. Take the time to exit the interstate and stop at this small facility. You can walk around on your own and see the birds, read their stories. There is even a museum.

7. The Carolee Shields White Flower Garden

Davis, CA
Excellent
72%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

The Carolee Shields White Flower Garden

This moon garden's white flowers are best viewed by moonlight.

Reviewed By rjrjj - Hudsonville, Michigan

Perfect and relaxing white blossom garden. Easy trails and walkways to tickle the senses with the sights and smells of the blossoms! There is a covered gazebo like structure that allowed the breezes to pull a white lilac scent through in a magical way!!

8. Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art

254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA, On the UC Davis Campus, Davis, CA 95616 +1 530-752-8500
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 8 reviews

Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art

Reviewed By Urbane415 - San Francisco, California

The Shrem Manetti Museum officially opened in November 2016. The first exhibition was a grand collection of works from the original group of UC Davis art professors hired by Richard Nelson in the 1960s. It was either a great confluence and/or karmic miracle that a group of young, cutting edge, creative, energetic, diverse and divergent artists were brought together in this place--they basically started an art revolution in this little town at this land grant school. Pieces shown during this first show included numerous paintings and sculptures by Manuel Neri, a lot of toilets by Robert Arneson (he had quite the sexual theme), and paintings by California hero Wayne Thiebaud. I really missed seeing the work of artist Mike Henderson; he was at UCD since the early 70s, at least, and I felt he should have been included.

The building architecture is interesting and beautiful. I love the outside space (what they call the "Grand Canopy") with its aluminum beams, curved benches, and molded concrete walls. The inside is clean, modern, and oh so cool. A really nice place to look at and be in, above and beyond the artwork.

One of the great things that this museum does is work at integrating and involving the students and greater community of Davis. Since the opening there have been a number of talks, presentations, art workshops for children, and so on. They have made a notable effort to open the space to faculty for meetings and classes, too. Right now the museum is closed for building improvements, but will open again in September 2017. I look forward to visiting the Shrem again.

9. Impossible Acres

26565 Road 97D, Davis, CA 95616 +1 530-750-0451
Excellent
57%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Impossible Acres

Reviewed By JB1989 - Davis, CA

Is there something about working at a pumpkin patch that makes the people working there miserable? All those adorable little animals; beautiful pumpkins; organic celebration; kids and family. Still, the workers often appear annoyed and sometimes openly scoff families.

10. Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven

Bee Biology Road, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 +1 530-752-0479
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven

The Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven is a unique outdoor museum for the study and observation of bees and the plants that support them. We are open daily from dawn to dusk free of charge. Visitors will see over 200 plant species and varying numbers of bee species depending on the weather and time of year. Plants have detailed labels with information on water use and the bee resources provided. Additional information about bees and gardens and planning a bee garden is on our web site.

Reviewed By drKSG - California

A beautiful garden designed for attracting bees and educating the public on the protection of bees. So a profusion of flowers that provides nectar and pollen for bees were artfully placed with tags of common and scientific names of the plants. A restful and pleasing...MoreI'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Please let us know what we can do to make your next visit rate as "Excellent."

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