75+ Things to Do in Davis
The definitive guide to activities, attractions, hidden gems, and unforgettable experiences in Davis — written by people who actually live here.
Filter by vibe, then let Davis decide for you.
Outdoor & Nature
Davis sits in a flat, sun-soaked valley where the outdoors aren't just accessible — they're the whole point. Here's where to go.
UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden
The Arboretum is the crown jewel of outdoor Davis — a 100-acre public garden along the old Putah Creek channel on the southern edge of campus, with over 31,000 trees and plants from California, Australia, South Africa, and the Mediterranean. The main loop is 3.5 miles, paved and mostly flat. Established in 1936, it's free and open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Highlights include the Carolee Shields White Flower Garden (designed for moon-viewing, where white flowers glow under moonlight), the T. Elliot Weier Redwood Grove (coast redwoods planted by students in the 1930s), and the Native American Contemplative Garden honoring the Patwin people.
Skip the campus lots on weekdays ($17/day). Park at the Davis Commons lot behind the shopping center at 1st & D Street — free for two hours, and the Arboretum entrance is a 30-second walk through the Shovel Gateway sculpture.
Davis Greenbelts
What makes Davis feel different: over 50 miles of off-street paths weaving through neighborhoods, parks, and open space. These aren't sidewalks — they're dedicated, tree-lined corridors built into the city's planning since the 1960s. You can bike or walk from one end of Davis to the other without touching a major road.
The greenbelt running through North Davis from Covell Park to Northstar Park is the most beautiful stretch — especially in spring when the almond trees bloom. Most visitors never find it.
Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
Genuine wildness within city limits: a 640-acre reserve along the southern edge of campus with a rare stream-and-grassland ecosystem managed for wildlife. A birder's paradise — egrets, herons, red-tailed hawks, and dozens of migratory species. More rugged and far less crowded than the Arboretum.
Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven
Yes, that Häagen-Dazs. This half-acre bee garden on campus promotes pollinator conservation with over 80 plant species chosen to sustain honeybees, bumblebees, and native pollinators. Open year-round and a surprisingly calming 20-minute visit.
Central Park & the Farmers Market
The heart of civic life in Davis. Central Park at 3rd and B is home base for the legendary Davis Farmers Market every Saturday morning (and Wednesday evenings from mid-March through October). Beyond market days: a big playground, picnic areas, shaded lawns, and a community pool.
Arts & Culture
For a city of 67,000 people, Davis punches absurdly above its weight in the arts. Here's the cultural map.
Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
A world-class concert hall on campus. The 1,801-seat Jackson Hall hosts everything from the San Francisco Symphony to global jazz artists to major touring acts; the smaller Vanderhoef Studio Theatre seats 250 for intimate performances. The sweeping modern architecture alone is worth seeing.
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art
Opened in 2016, this free museum features rotating contemporary and modern art, with emphasis on artists connected to the Sacramento Valley and the celebrated "UC Davis School" (Wayne Thiebaud, Robert Arneson, and others). The building's perforated-aluminum "Grand Canopy" filters Central Valley light into the galleries.
John Natsoulas Center for the Arts
One of the most respected contemporary galleries in the Sacramento region, known for championing California artists and hosting opening receptions that are genuine community events. Owner John Natsoulas is a Davis institution himself.
Bohart Museum of Entomology
One of the largest insect collections in North America — over eight million specimens. Open free on select days, with live insect displays and the chance to hold a Madagascar hissing cockroach. The gift shop sells real-insect jewelry and amber specimens.
California Raptor Center
A UC Davis facility that rehabilitates injured birds of prey. Resident birds include golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and peregrine falcons. Guided tours and educational programs make it one of the most memorable stops in Davis for any age.
Food & Drink
Davis is a farm-to-fork town by nature — the university literally started as a farm. The food scene reflects that deep agricultural DNA.
Davis Farmers Market
In 2026 the market celebrates its 50th anniversary, and it remains one of the largest and most celebrated in California. Saturdays year-round in Central Park (8 AM–1 PM), plus Wednesday evenings mid-March through October (4:30–7:30 PM). Dozens of vendors, much of it organic, plus fresh bread, cheeses, flowers, live music, and prepared foods.
Get there before 9 AM for the best farm-vendor selection. The crepe and tamale stalls develop lines by 9:30. The Wednesday evening market is more relaxed, with a "picnic dinner on the grass" vibe.
Craft Breweries
A thriving scene: Sudwerk Brewing (German-style lagers since 1989, one of the most popular taprooms in town), Three Mile Brewing (creative small batches), Dunloe Brewing (Irish-inspired ales), and Super Owl Brewing (hop-forward and experimental). UC Davis even offers a Master Brewers Program — the beer knowledge runs deep.
Downtown Davis Dining
A few walkable blocks pack in elevated farm-to-fork (The Mustard Seed), authentic Thai (Sophia's Thai Kitchen, the first Thai restaurant in Davis), creative Japanese (Zen Toro, Mikuni), Burmese (Burma Eat), wood-fired pizza, and the local institution Crepeville.
Don't skip Olive Drive, south of the railroad tracks. Volt Coffee, Tea & Taps is an all-day destination for drinks and food trucks in a great community atmosphere — where the locals go to avoid the downtown crowds.
Biking Davis — The Bicycle Capital of America
More bikes than people, more bike lanes than almost any city in the country, and a cycling culture going back over 60 years. Not an exaggeration.
Davis earned the title "Bicycle Capital of America" as far back as 1964. It was the first U.S. city to implement standardized bike lanes, and today maintains over 100 miles of bike paths and lanes. In 2006 it became the first American city to earn the Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community Award — and has been chasing "Diamond" ever since. The flat topography makes biking effortless: most residents bike to work, school, the store, and the bars.
Best Routes
The informal Davis Bike Loop circles the entire city via greenbelts and bike paths (~12 miles) through farmland, parks, and neighborhoods. The Arboretum path is a popular shorter route (3.5 miles). For road cyclists, county roads heading west toward Winters wind through scenic farmland with little traffic.
Rent a bike at Green Bicycle Depot for as little as $10/day and ride the full Davis Bike Loop. On a weekend morning, stop at the Farmers Market halfway through. It's the most Davis thing you can do.
Annual Events & Festivals
Davis has a packed events calendar. These are the ones worth planning a trip around.
Picnic Day (April 18, 2026)
The single biggest event in Davis — and the largest student-run event in the entire country. This free open-campus celebration draws tens of thousands for a day of wholesome chaos: the famous Doxie Derby (dachshund races), the chemistry magic show, Battle of the Bands, a massive parade, and over 200 exhibits. Davis has been using Picnic Day as an excuse to day-drink since 1909.
Whole Earth Festival (Spring)
A free three-day festival on campus celebrating sustainability, art, music, and community — running over 50 years. Live performances, workshops, art installations, and a vibrant vendor area. The most Davis event imaginable: earnest, eclectic, deeply community-oriented.
Farmers Market 50th Anniversary (2026)
2026 marks 50 years of the Davis Farmers Market, the heartbeat of the city since 1976 — celebrated all year with community events, historical exhibits, and expanded programming.
Nightlife & Entertainment
College-town lively without being overwhelming. Something for every speed.
Downtown offers a solid mix of bars, brewpubs, and lounges within a few walkable blocks. University of Beer is the go-to for craft beer with an enormous rotating tap list; Woodstock's Pizza is the late-night slice institution; the Varsity Theatre hosts special screenings and live shows.
YoloBerry Yogurt
The business that captures the soul of Davis nightlife in a way no one expects — a frozen yogurt shop. An 18-year institution, it's one of the busiest spots in town at 10 PM, even on weeknights. At least four marriage proposals have happened there. It's a community gathering point and a late-night tradition.
Something most of Davis doesn't know yet: the owners of YoloBerry and Acai Fresh just signed a 10-year deal to bring both brands to the UC Davis campus, taking over the space Crêpe Bistro held for nearly 30 years. If you're a student or work on campus, your daily routine is about to change. You heard it here first.
Things to Do With Kids
Davis is one of the most family-friendly cities in California. The highlights for families:
Bubble Gum Art Studio is a best-kept secret — kids paint, sculpt, and create in a supervised drop-off studio while parents get two to three hours to be humans again. The Bohart Museum's live insect displays fascinate kids (and terrify some adults). The California Raptor Center's tours bring kids face-to-face with eagles and owls. Rocknasium offers youth climbing classes. Central Park has an excellent playground, and Slide Hill Park's concrete slide is the simple, analog fun kids remember forever.
The best family Saturday in Davis: Farmers Market at 9 AM, Arboretum walk at 11, picnic lunch in Central Park, then drop the kids at Bubble Gum Art Studio for the afternoon while you and your partner go be humans for a couple hours. Repeat weekly until they leave for college.
Hidden Gems & Only-in-Davis
The stuff that doesn't make the generic travel guides. This is what makes Davis, Davis.
The Egghead Sculptures
Seven large ceramic egg-shaped sculptures by artist Robert Arneson scattered across campus — some of the most photographed objects in Davis. Finding all of them is an unofficial campus scavenger hunt. Whimsical, weird, and very Davis.
The Toad Tunnel
In the 1990s, Davis built small underpasses beneath a road so toads could safely cross. The Toad Tunnel became an international media curiosity — and a tiny "toad hotel" was installed near the entrance. The tunnels still exist near the Post Office on Pole Line Road.
Village Homes
A groundbreaking 1970s–80s eco-development in West Davis, decades ahead of its time: solar-oriented homes, community gardens, edible landscaping (fruit and nut trees along every path), natural drainage, and car-free interior paths. Urban planners worldwide visit as a case study. The public paths are open to everyone.
Solstice Art at UC Davis
On the summer solstice, shadows align with a 14,000-square-foot painting on campus to reveal a hidden message — the kind of detail that shows how much creative thought is embedded in this town.
Day Trips From Davis
Davis is perfectly positioned for Northern California exploration. What's within easy reach:
Sacramento (15 min east): the state capitol, Old Sacramento waterfront, farm-to-fork dining, and major venues. Winters (20 min west): a charming town with great restaurants, a bakery, and Putah Creek Canyon. The Capay Valley (30 min northwest): olive oil farms, lavender fields, Cache Creek Casino. Lake Berryessa (45 min west): boating and swimming. Napa Valley is about an hour west, San Francisco 75 minutes southwest, and Lake Tahoe roughly two hours northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do in Davis?
The UC Davis Arboretum (100 acres, open 24/7), 50+ miles of greenbelts, the Saturday Farmers Market, the Honey Bee Haven, the Egghead sculptures, the free Shrem Museum of Art, Pence Gallery, and dozens of community events. Many of Davis's best experiences cost nothing.
What is Davis known for?
The Bicycle Capital of America (100+ miles of bike lanes), UC Davis, one of California's top farmers markets (50 years in 2026), farm-to-fork dining, and quirks like the Toad Tunnel and Picnic Day. A progressive, eco-conscious college town with a strong community identity.
When is Picnic Day at UC Davis?
Picnic Day 2026 is April 18th — typically the third Saturday of April. It's the largest student-run event in the country, with the Doxie Derby, a parade, live music, and 200+ exhibits.
What is the best time of year to visit Davis?
Spring (March–May) is arguably best — warm but not hot, the Arboretum in bloom, the market thriving, and Picnic Day and the Whole Earth Festival happening. Fall is also excellent. Summers run hot (often above 100°F); winters are cool and foggy.
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Explore Davis Restaurants →This guide is written and maintained by the MyDavis team — locals who live, eat, drink, bike, and do things in Davis every day. We update it regularly. Have a suggestion or correction? Email us.