In Yolo, nature experiences range from steep canyon trails to riparian landscapes and wetlands. The habitats are not the only things that differ: there are also different ways to experience them. Some trails wind through wooded slopes, while others lead to the lower Cache Creek or the Davis Greenbelt. Considering distance, terrain and seasonal conditions can help you choose what to focus on during your trip.
Riparian Landscapes, Oak Trees and Canyons
Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park covers more than 600 acres of unspoiled natural landscape. Oak woodlands, pines and grassland meadows with cottonwoods define the area; rushes, sedges and similar riparian vegetation grow along the banks. Capay Open Space Park has a different mix of features: its landscape includes lowland floodplains, riparian woodlands and brush, as well as a grassy oak savanna. The park provides direct access to the lower Cache Creek and more than two miles of hiking trails.
Another riparian and grassland ecosystem is the 640-acre UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve on the south edge of the UC Davis campus. It is used for teaching and research, wildlife and habitat conservation, and community engagement. The varied landscapes show how different riparian areas, grasslands and wooded sections can be among Yolo’s natural settings.
Trails for Hiking and Cycling
The supplied trail lengths offer a concrete basis for comparison: Capay Open Space Park has more than two miles of hiking trails, while the Blue Ridge Trail is an eight-mile loop that begins within Cache Creek Regional Park. It features a very steep climb and about 2,100 feet of elevation gain to the trailhead. Check trail conditions and access before setting out. Distance, elevation gain and terrain are separate factors to consider when planning your own trip.
County Road 40 at Cache Creek Regional Park is another useful point of reference: it is closed to vehicles but open to hikers, horseback riders and cyclists. Check road and trail access before your trip. In Davis, the approximately 12-mile Davis Bike Loop passes through the Greenbelt and by most of the city’s major bicycle infrastructure. The route and the closed County Road illustrate two different aspects of cycling in Yolo: a named loop in Davis and a road along Cache Creek that is open to certain user groups.
At Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, trails run through steep inland canyons, along slopes and over ridgelines in California’s Inner Coast Range. They are open to hikers year-round from sunrise to sunset. Check trail conditions and seasonal hazards before setting out; the stated opening hours and trail conditions are two separate points to consider when planning.
Wildlife Watching and Gardens
The approximately 16,600-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area provides habitat for fish, waterfowl, shorebirds and wading birds, neotropical migratory birds, raptors, invertebrates, snakes, turtles, frogs and bats. Wildlife watching, birdwatching, hunting and nature education programs are available there; some uses are regulated seasonally. Those particularly interested in birds will find a wide range of habitats here: the areas described support waterfowl as well as migratory and wading birds.
The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden offers a different focus. Admission is free, and the gardens, natural areas and landscapes are open year-round, 24 hours a day. Check current operating details before your trip. Together with the canyon and riparian landscapes, the arboretum offers another way to explore nature, without requiring the same kind of trail or terrain.
Art, Culture and Wine Country
Art and regional culture are also part of what there is to discover in Yolo. Gibson House and Property offers exhibitions, programs and community spaces where you can explore regional art and culture. Gallery 625 gives emerging and established artists a space to exhibit a diverse range of artistic media. The two venues have different focuses: one centers on programs and community spaces, while the other focuses on exhibition opportunities and the range of media.
Yolo County’s wine country has more than 14 local, small-scale, family-owned wineries; the number may change. Their tasting rooms are located along scenic routes between Napa Valley and the Sacramento River and are connected to one another by car. In this way, cultural offerings and wine country add other dimensions to the nature experiences, while the routes described indicate the geographic setting of the tasting rooms.
Discover more destinations: Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland, Winters, Rumsey, Esparto, Riverside, San Benito.
For the regional travel overview: California.
