Davis brings together nature and culture, each with its own distinct focus. When choosing how to spend your visit, you can start with your interests: the UC Davis Arboretum is known for its gardens and scientific collections, while the Davis Wetlands Project focuses on wildlife habitat, observation and environmental education. Museums and the Mondavi Center add history, exhibitions and performing arts to the mix. Their different profiles make it easier to choose places based on the subject you’re interested in, rather than treating them as interchangeable destinations.
Natural areas with different focuses
The historic UC Davis Arboretum covers more than 100 acres and serves as both a campus and regional resource. Its features include demonstration gardens and scientific collections. Admission to the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is free, and its gardens, natural areas and landscape spaces are open daily, 24 hours a day. These hours give you flexibility when planning your day. Check for current operating notices before your visit.
The main trail at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden is a 3.5-mile loop. Walkers, joggers and cyclists use it. The trail length gives you a concrete point of reference when planning a loop, while the listed activities show that the main trail accommodates different types of movement.
The Davis Wetlands Project offers a different nature experience. The 400-acre site uses treated wastewater to provide wildlife habitat, and also offers opportunities for wildlife observation and environmental education. While the arboretum is characterized by its gardens and collections, the focus here is on habitat, observation and learning. Guided tours led by docents are held at the Davis Wetlands on the first Sunday of each month. If you’d like to include a tour in your plans, check the tour date before your trip.
Museums and performing arts
Admission to public programs and exhibitions at the Manetti Shrem Museum is free. The Hattie Weber Museum features exhibitions on the history and cultural heritage of Davis, California, and the surrounding region. The difference between the two lies in their offerings and subject matter: public programs and exhibitions at the Manetti Shrem, and the history and cultural heritage of the city and region at the Hattie Weber.
The Mondavi Center adds performing arts to the cultural offerings. It is dedicated to the full spectrum of the performing arts—from traditional to innovative forms, and from a variety of cultures and disciplines. This lets you choose between museums with exhibitions and public programs, a focus on history, and a broad interest in the performing arts.
Choose nature activities to suit your plans
For planning nature activities, there are two different points of reference: at the arboretum, you can take opening hours and loop length into account; at the Davis Wetlands, guided tours led by docents are held on the first Sunday of each month. Check the date in advance if the tour is important to your visit. This helps you choose between a loop with a stated length and an activity that takes place on a monthly schedule.
Explore more destinations: Winters, West Sacramento, Rumsey, Esparto, Woodland.
See the main travel guide: Yolo.
