Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Davis lies in the flat farmland of Yolo County, about 15 miles west of Sacramento, and is best known as the home of the University of California, Davis. The town began in the 1860s as Davisville, a railroad stop on land farmed by Jerome C. Davis, and it was incorporated in 1917. The university started in 1908 as the University Farm and grew into one of the country's leading schools for agriculture, veterinary medicine and the environment.
Davis is famous as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in America, with bike lanes and paths everywhere and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame downtown. Its leafy downtown has independent shops, cafes and a celebrated farmers market in Central Park.
The UC Davis Arboretum follows Putah Creek through campus with gardens and paths, and the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and the historic 1913 train depot add to the town's appeal.
UC Davis is a large university campus known for agriculture, veterinary science and wine research, with a vast central Quad, historic buildings and miles of bike paths. Visitors can explore museums, gardens and the Mondavi Center. Rent a bike or walk the Quad, and buy a visitor parking permit if you arrive by car on a weekday.
The Davis Depot is a Mission Revival railroad station built in 1913 for the Southern Pacific, still served by Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and other trains. Its arched facade and tiled roof make it a downtown landmark. Trains to Sacramento and the Bay Area run often, making it easy to visit Davis without a car.
The Davis Toad Tunnel is a small tunnel built in 1995 under a highway overpass to help toads cross safely, and it became famous for the tiny Toad Hollow town painted at its entrance. It is a quirky local symbol. Find it beside the Pole Line Road overpass, and look for the little toad buildings at ground level.
The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden stretches about three miles along Putah Creek's old channel on campus, with plant collections from California, Australia, the Mediterranean and other regions. A paved loop path is ideal for walking or running. Entry is free, and the Arboretum Terrace and Ruth Risdon Storer Garden are highlights.
The Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on the UC Davis campus shows modern and contemporary art in a striking building under a large perforated canopy. Exhibitions often feature Northern California artists and the university's own collection. Admission is free, and the museum is near the Mondavi Center, so combine both on one visit.
The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis is a modern concert hall with excellent acoustics, presenting classical music, jazz, dance, theater and talks by touring artists and speakers. Its glass lobby glows at night. Buy tickets in advance for popular shows, and use the campus parking structure next door.
The Pence Gallery is a nonprofit art gallery in downtown Davis showing contemporary art by Northern California artists, with changing exhibitions, talks and art classes. It takes part in the city's monthly 2nd Friday ArtAbout. Admission is free, and it is an easy stop during a walk around downtown.
The Bohart Museum of Entomology at UC Davis holds millions of insect specimens and a live petting zoo with hissing cockroaches, stick insects and tarantulas. It is popular with children and anyone curious about bugs. Public open hours are limited, so check the schedule, and watch for its special open house days.
The United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in Central Park, Davis, honors American cycling champions and displays historic bicycles, from high-wheelers to modern racing bikes, plus jerseys and trophies. Davis is a natural home for it, with famous bike lanes and paths. Admission is low cost, and it is next to the farmers market.
The Davis Farmers Market is held in Central Park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with local growers, bakeries, food stands and live music, and it is one of the best-regarded markets in California. Wednesday evening Picnic in the Park runs in warmer months. Come by bike like the locals and bring your own bags.
Downtown Davis, next to the UC Davis campus, is a compact, bike-friendly area of independent bookstores, cafes, brewpubs, restaurants and shops along E, F and G streets. It hosts the farmers market and monthly 2nd Friday ArtAbout. Park the car once and explore on foot or by bike, which is easiest here.
Picnic Day is UC Davis's annual open house, held in April since 1909, with a parade, the Doxie Derby dachshund races, a battle of the bands, animal exhibits and open labs across campus. It draws tens of thousands of visitors. Arrive early by bike or bus, as parking is very limited.
Top-rated local businesses in Davis, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Davis? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Davis? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Miles530 (talk), Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Venprof, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Gildardo Sánchez from Guadalajara, México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: KMashian, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Fastily, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Fastily, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Vince Migliore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Vince Migliore, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Cullen328, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cullen328, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Cullen328, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Arlen from SF, CA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Shea, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Bev Sykes from Davis, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Cullen328, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Cullen328, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Brholden, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bruxton, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
