📍 Location: Yolo County, Northern California — nestled just 20 minutes from Sacramento and surrounded by fertile farmland, orchards, and vineyards.
Vibe: Vibrant, creative, green-thinking college town with a deep love for bikes, community, the arts, and sustainability.
Best For: Families | Solo Travelers | Romantic Getaways | RV Explorers | Foodies | Cyclists | Girls’ & Guys’ Trips | Artists | Nature Lovers
🏨 Where to Stay in Davis
Whether you’re road-tripping with friends or seeking a romantic weekend escape, Davis offers accommodations with character and comfort:
- Hotel NOPA – Trendy boutique stay downtown. Think: reclaimed wood headboards, luxury bedding, walkable access to art galleries and eateries.
- The Cannery Lofts – Urban-chic extended stays with kitchenettes, exposed beams, and farm views. Ideal for couples or digital nomads.
- Best Western Plus Palm Court Hotel – Centrally located with spacious rooms and a charming courtyard café. Great for families.
- Motel 6 Davis – Clean, affordable, pet-friendly, and just minutes from the UC Davis campus.
- RV Travelers:
- Cache Creek Casino Resort RV Park – Full hookups, laundry, showers, entertainment, and restaurants onsite.
- Woodland RV Park – Peaceful, well-shaded, and just a short bike ride into town.
🗓️ DAY ONE: Bikes, Brews & Botanical Bliss
☕ Morning: A Sip and a Spin
Start your day with a creamy cold brew or matcha latte from Owen House Coffee, a locally adored café in a restored craftsman house. Try the almond croissant or their signature lavender vanilla latte.
Next, head to Davis Bike Collective or Red Scooter Bicycle Rentals for your set of wheels. With over 100 miles of bike lanes and flat terrain, Davis is the place to explore on two wheels.
🚲 Cruise through Central Park — lush gardens, interactive fountains, and the iconic Davis Farmers Market sign (a must-snap spot!). On Wednesdays and Saturdays, shop the market for fresh peaches, honey, flowers, and warm empanadas.
🎨 Midday: Art in Motion
Pedal your way to the UC Davis Arboretum — a 100-acre riverfront trail network filled with native flora, ponds, bridges, and butterfly gardens. Ideal for quiet walks, photography, or sketching.
For lunch, head to Burgers & Brew:
🍔 Try the Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger or their Beyond Burger for a plant-based punch, paired with local IPA flights.
Afterward, pop into the Davis Art Center, where rotating exhibits, pottery classes, and community murals keep creativity flowing. Or visit Artery Gallery, a co-op owned by local artists featuring jewelry, fiber art, paintings, and ceramics.
🧭 Afternoon: History, Science & Campus Culture
Explore the striking Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on the UC Davis campus — where modern design meets powerful contemporary exhibitions.
Just a few minutes away, Yolo County Historical Museum (Gibson House) showcases 19th-century life and the area’s deep agricultural roots. Traveling with kids? Add Explorit Science Center for hands-on, STEM-powered fun.
🍽️ Evening: Sustainable Plates & Night Rhythms
Dine at Terry House Restaurant, known for its farm-to-table ethic and romantic garden patio. Favorites include the Heirloom Tomato Burrata Salad and the Lamb Osso Bucco.
Night owls can enjoy:
🎤 Third Space Art Collective – Open mic, indie bands, zine fairs
🍺 De Vere’s Irish Pub – Cozy booths, Guinness on tap, and lively music
🎭 The Barn Theater – A local legend for eclectic performances and theater nights
🗓️ DAY TWO: Farmland Finds, Bookstores & Nature Escapes
🌿 Morning: Creekside Calm & Feathered Friends
Fuel up with coffee and a morning bun at Philz Coffee or Mishka’s Café, an eclectic, student-loved hideaway with vintage charm.
Then head to Putah Creek Wildlife Area — quiet, serene, and home to herons, egrets, and deer. Perfect for fishing, birdwatching, or meditative walks.
Prefer your nature with wheels? Take the Yolo Causeway Bike Loop, a scenic ride through wetlands, farmland, and flower fields.
🛍️ Midday: Book Nooks & Boutique Strolls
Downtown Davis is a paradise for shoppers and collectors:
📚 Avid Reader – Independent bookstore with a dreamy children’s corner and regional authors.
🪴 From Scratch Farm & Garden – Whimsical gardening tools, soaps, herbal teas, and chicken-friendly gear.
🎁 Putah Creek Trading Co. – Artisan-made leather goods, home décor, and local jam.
🎀 Davis Antiques & Collectibles – Browse through vintage postcards, jewelry, vinyl, and quirky memorabilia.
Lunch at Zia’s Delicatessen is a must: try the Italian Special sandwich or Chicken Pesto Panini. Sit on their sunny patio with a San Pellegrino and people-watch.
🍻 Afternoon: Craft Beer & Local Bites
Cycle over to Sudwerk Brewing Co., one of California’s oldest craft breweries, for German-style lagers, pretzel boards, and brewmaster tours.
Then stop by Unseen Press Brewing—a smaller, edgier taproom known for its sour ales and experimental IPA infusions like rosemary-citrus or chai amber.
🎶 If it’s a weekend, catch the Sudwerk Dock Store’s beer garden concerts with food trucks and lawn games.
🌅 Evening: Pie, Pastries & Local Lore
For dinner, make your way to The Mustard Seed — refined dining with seasonal California cuisine. The fig-glazed duck breast and lemon thyme scallops are heavenly.
Craving something sweet? Hit Rick’s Dessert Diner for mile-high banana cream pie, strawberry shortcake, or a classic chocolate malt.
Wrap your night with a cocktail at Mash’d Bar & Grill, or sip tea and people-watch outside Village Bakery & Café with a slice of cherry almond tart.
🎯 Tailored Trips for Every Kind of Explorer
👨👩👧👦 Family Fun
- Explore the Explorit Science Center and Central Park playground
- Feed ducks at the Arboretum and have a family picnic
- Rent a family bike and cruise the Davis Bike Loop
👯♀️ Girls’ Getaways
- Spa and massage at Cache Creek Casino Resort Spa
- Boutique shopping + wine tasting at Great Bear Vineyards
- Sunday brunch at Seasons Kitchen & Bar
🧔 Guys’ Trips
- Sudwerk brewery tour + game night
- Kayaking at Putah Creek
- Darts and trivia at De Vere’s Irish Pub
💕 Romantic Retreats
- Sunrise walks through the Arboretum
- Couples massage + candlelit dinner at Terry House
- Stargazing picnic in Community Park
🎒 Solo Explorers
- Journal with coffee at Mishka’s
- Take a pottery class at Davis Art Center
- Join a group bike ride or live poetry reading
🚐 RV Travelers
- Stay at Cache Creek Resort RV Park
- Day trip to Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve for hiking
- Use Davis as a base for Yolo County wine country tours
📸 Top Photography Spots in Davis
📷 Arboretum’s red bridge at sunset
📷 Yolo County farmland and cyclists at golden hour
📷 Bright murals along G Street
📷 Sudwerk’s dock at dusk
📷 Farmer’s Market flower stalls in full bloom
🍴 Must-Try Bites & Sips
☕ Coffee Stops:
- Owen House Coffee
- Mishka’s Café
- Philz Coffee
🍳 Breakfast Favorites:
- Village Bakery & Café – Sourdough toast + fresh jam
- Delta of Venus – Vegan scrambles + boho vibe
🥪 Lunch Picks:
- Zia’s Delicatessen
- Burgers & Brew
🍽️ Dinner Destinations:
- Terry House Restaurant
- The Mustard Seed
- De Vere’s Irish Pub (live music nights!)
🍻 Local Brews:
- Sudwerk Brewing Co. – Märzen & Hefeweizen
- Unseen Press Brewing – Unique seasonal experiments
🍰 Sweet Treats:
- Rick’s Dessert Diner
- Sugar Daddies Bakery (try their bourbon pecan cupcake!)
🌞 Best Time to Visit Davis
🌷 Spring: Wildflowers in bloom, outdoor concerts, and the return of college energy
☀️ Summer: Longer days for biking, water activities, and al fresco dining
🍂 Fall: Crisp weather, autumn colors in the Arboretum, and harvest events
❄️ Winter: Cozy café culture, fewer crowds, and art-centered escapes
🌟 Final Thoughts
Davis isn’t just a college town — it’s a conscious community full of green space, gratitude, and genuine charm. Whether you’re chasing trails on two wheels, browsing farmer’s markets for handmade treasures, or sipping wine under an oak tree, Davis invites you to slow down and savor Northern California in its most welcoming, artistic, and delicious form.
Hagan Happenstance 