Davis, a beautiful city in Northern California is known for its vibrant community and beautiful surroundings. It is the most popular city in the Yolo County. Housing different historic sites and tourist attractions, the city has a lot to offer for visitors.
You can explore the lovely parks, unique shops, and the city's most famous art scenes along with other outdoor activities. The University of California is one of the main attractions of Davis. It adds an energetic vibe to the area organizing events year-round.
From strolling through gardens to shopping at local shops, a trip to this city will be the best decision of your life. In this article, we will share with you the list of 20 cool things to do in Davis California.
1. Explore The UC Davis Arboretum And Public Garden
The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is a pristine place to start exploring the world off Davis. The 100-acre garden presents a rather arresting impetus. Strolling around you will see various gardens with each featuring different types of plants and trees.
The lovely walking paths make the walk through beautiful flowers and native plants more enjoyable. Educational displays showcased by the Arboretum are another attraction to watch.
These displays give an educational touch by providing information about local ecology and plant life. Moreover, birdwatching can also be enjoyed inside the garden. Apart from that, seasonal events and tours are often held to maintain the joy of the park.
2. Visit The Bohart Museum Of Entomology
The Bohart Museum of Entomology opened in 1946. This is an amazing museum located just off downtown Davis. It is the only museum strictly dedicated to insects that holds one of the largest insect collections in the USA.
Inside you will find thousands of insect species from all around the world. Popular ones include butterflies, beetles, and bees. The displays showcased by the museum explain the diversity and beauty of these small creatures.
The Bohart Museum also hosts educational exhibits providing insights into the importance of insects in our environment. To understand these creatures in-depth, special events and workshops held by the museum could be a great source.
3. Shop At Davis Farmers Market
Shopping at the Davis Farmers Market is great fun. This market is conducted on every Saturday with loads of fresh produce, homely-made goods, and local treats. Here you will have an opportunity to shop for Fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.
Without any compromise in quality, the market also features artisanal bread, cheeses, and meat along with flowers and plants. The marker is more than just shopping. It has a lively atmosphere with different food stalls and friendly locals.
The Davis Farmers Market is one of the best places to support local farmers, with some interesting gift items and souvenirs that you can carry back home.
4. Enjoy A Picnic At Central Park
If you are going to visit Davis with your family, then Central Park is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors. The park provides ample space and ideal ways to enjoy the natural beauty of the city.
The large open spaces and the shaded area make it quite usable as a picnic spot. Central Park has plenty of picnic tables and benches that you can choose from to enjoy your outing.
While parents have fun with their adult talks, kids can spend time on playgrounds. Situated inside the park is a peaceful pond where you can watch ducks and other wildlife. Visiting this place during weekends offers an opportunity to enjoy occasional community events.
5. Discover Local Arts At The Davis Arts Center
This is an easily accessible place located around 15 minutes away from downtown Davis. The Davis Arts Center is a great place to experience the local art scene. This center showcases various art forms like paintings, sculptures, and crafts.
It is focused on promoting the local artists. And for that, the Davis Arts Center regularly hosts art exhibitions and workshops. You can walk through the galleries and discover the artworks that offer a glimpse into the regional artistic heritage.
Along with that, the center is also a learning hub where you can attend art classes to improve your skills. Overall, this place is a great spot to find unique pieces, meet artists, and appreciate their work.
6. Explore The Historic Downtown Area
The downtown area of Davis is the most beautiful place in the entire city. This is a perfect spot to experience the city's character and history. The main street of downtown inhabits sweet shops, cafes, and local restaurants that capture the charm rippling through this town.
A lot of these shops offer homemade crafts, vintage finds, and unique gifts. While strolling through these shops, you will see historic buildings and well-preserved architecture lined alongside.
Public art and beautiful murals standing still in the area add another layer of beauty to it. The farmers' market that we talked about earlier is one of the many community events that are held downtown.
7. Attend A Performance At Mondavi Center For The Performing Arts
The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts is the one that started its operation in 2002. Based on the campus of the University of California, Davis, this is one of the key attractions in Davis, California, and an extremely popular event venue.
Known for its high-quality acoustics and beautiful architecture, every performance held inside feels like a movie. The Mondavi Center features talented local and national artists performing classical music, jazz, contemporary dance, and dramatic players.
After a show, you can enjoy the nearby areas of the campus. Along with entertainment, the Mondavi Center also offers educational programs and community events that are free to attend.
8. Visit The Artery
Located in the heart of downtown Davis, the Artery is the closest location to visit if you are inside Davis. Visiting this place is a must for art lovers. This gallery, with a very unique name, has a diverse range of artwork collections by local artists.
You will come across paintings, sculptures, pottery, and jewelry made by locals while exploring this place. The regularly changing exhibits are the main highlight of The Artery.
Although this place sounds similar to Davis Art Center, here you can purchase pieces that you find attractive. Making a purchase here is a great way to support the local artists and return home with a decorative piece for your home.
9. Hike The Davis Greenbelt
The Davis Greenbelt is a lovely outdoor space to spend a peaceful time in Davis. The place is a paradise for outdoor lovers. The Greenbelt embodies a system of trails and paths that stretch across the city and its surrounding areas.
These paths are going to take you across many varied landscapes, including parks, wetlands, and open fields. On this nicely maintained trail, you will have the opportunity to view animals birds, squirrels, and rabbits in their homeland.
Featuring a peaceful environment, the Davis Greenbelt is also a perfect place to relax and appreciate nature. This place is perfect for both long-way hikers and short-strollers who want to add a bit of adventure to their journey.
10. Discover The 2nd Friday Art About
Held on the second Friday of each month, the 2nd Friday Art About is another great place to explore the local art scene. During this event, downtown galleries and studios are filled with exhibitions and art shows.
While attending this event, you can wander through venues, and view new artworks and meek local artists. This event also offers a chance to connect with the community.
Live music, refreshments, and other interactive activities around the area make the place more entertaining. You can also purchase a few items from the galleries. However, to enjoy this event, you will have to plan your trip accordingly
11. Visit The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven
If you are visiting the University of California Davis campus, get ready for a unique educational experience at the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven. This is definitely a lovely garden that aims to protect honeybees.
This garden has been a part of the increasing environmental awareness of the vital role that honeybees play for about fifteen years now. It boasts a variety of colorful flowers and plants that attract and nurture these essential pollinators.
The boards and displays give a vivid portrayal of how the bees carry out the fundamental task of pollination and contribute to food production. Take a tour of the Haagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven if you are interested in a practical and e-learning experience in beekeeping.
12. Enjoy A Day At Explorit Science Center
Explorit Science Center is a non-profit organization fully dedicated to turning science into something fun. This is another interactive museum where you can enjoy plenty of hands-on science.
In the center, you will find different exhibits that make learning about science engaging and exciting. The interactive display, science experiments, and educational games are featured by the center to encourage curiosity and exploration.
Designed to keep kids engaged, special events and workshops hosted by the Explorit Science Center combine science with fun activities. Not just for kids, the center is also suitable for adults who are engaged in the field of science.
13. Explore The Impossible Acres Farm
Impossible Acres Farm is a rare treat located only minutes away from Davis. Associated with sustainable farming, this farm is a great place to connect with nature and learn about sustainable farming.
The farm is home to various animals like goats, chickens, and pigs that you can watch during your visit. The Impossible Acres Farm is widely known for its organic and eco-friendly practices.
It also hosts educational tours with interactive activities, which you can find pleasurable. You might also get an opportunity to participate in some farm activities or help pick some seasonal fruits and vegetables to make it a memorable experience.
14. Visit The Carolee Shields White Flower Garden
A visit to the Carolee Shields White Flower Garden is a perfect escape from the daily life hustle. This beautiful garden is located within the UC Davis campus. It is structured to present white flowers and flowers of light color in a beautiful arrangement.
While walking along the pathways of the garden, the blooming plants will amaze you with their beauty. The roses, lilies, peonies, and several other flowering plants cover the entire area. You can take pictures of these well-maintained flowers to take home as a small memory.
Overall, the Carolee Shields White Flower Garden is an excellent place for nature lovers, gardeners, and anyone who wants to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
15. Explore The US Bicycling Hall Of Fame
Established back in 1946, the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame is a historical site that is located right on the UC Davis Campus. Its focus is to celebrate and conserve American cycling accomplishments.
To achieve this, the museum has several exhibits, which are a great platform for classic bikes, memorabilia, and legends of riders to be shown. Through plenty of objects from early bicycle designs up to modern racing equipment, it emphasizes the development of cycling technology.
Moreover, the US Bicycling Hall of Fame contains a niche for those who contributed to the cycling world. The interactive displays and the history relics that are both sports and excursions make it a place of excellence for sports fans and explorers, respectively.
16. Visit The Stone Photography Gallery
Offering a combination of creativity and inspiration, the Stone Photography Gallery is a spot you should not miss. It is a one-of-a-kind gallery that showcases beautiful photographic works of local and renowned artists.
The well-built design of the gallery enhances the beauty of every single photograph found inside. Here you will find various images that consist of both landscapes and portraits.
Walking through these photographs rotating exhibits come into sight. These exhibits keep on changing with each session, making sure that you find a unique piece every time you visit.
17. Explore The Hattie Weber Museum
The Hattie Weber Museum is the place where local history comes to life. Since its establishment in the year 1992, this museum has been taking care of and showcasing the rich heritage of Davis.
The museum grounds are filled with exhibits that showcase historical artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia from different eras. One main attraction of the museum is the collection of items related to early life in Davis.
Adding more learning opportunities, the Hattie Weber Museum also offers educational programs and special events throughout the year. The museum's friendly staff, eagerly waiting to help you can also be a great source of information.
18. Discover The John Natsoulas Center For The Arts
The John Natsoulas Center For The Arts is another one of many art galleries in Davis. This gallery is known for its innovative art exhibits. It features works of both emerging and established artists.
Showcasing a variety of art forms like paintings, sculptures, photographs, and mixed media, the center hosts regular exhibitions. The entire gallery is designed to encourage artists with thought-provoking artworks
Along with that, the center also offers art workshops, lectures, and special events. The welcoming atmosphere makes the John Natsoulas Center more than just an artistic hub.
19. Play A Round Of Golf At Wildhorse Golf Club
For sports enthusiasts, Wildhorse Golf Club in Davis. Entertaining visitors since its founding in 1999, this course offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience. It features well well-designed 18-hole course situated in a scenic landscape.
The green fairways and challenging holes make it a great spot for a friendly challenge against friends and family. Inside the facility, you can also practice alongside professionals to improve your game.
After playing a few rounds, you can relax at the clubhouse while enjoying the tasty food. Just grab your clubs and head to Wildhorse Golf Club to spend a wonderful day in Davis.
20. Taste Local Drinks At Great Bear Vineyards
Great Bear Vineyards is where you can taste the local flavors. It is a winery that offers fantastic opportunities to sample a variety of locally produced wines. Set in a beautiful area, the winery is a perfect choice for a relaxing afternoon.
Visiting this place, you are invited to a tasting session that lets you explore different wines with a unique taste and character. Besides wine, the vineyard often hosts events and live music that make the experience more joyful.
Upon returning from the Great Bear Vineyards, you might as well pick up a bottle or two to take back home as a gift or for personal use.
