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Top 5 Fun, Free things to do in Davis, California

Fun, free activities in Davis, CA

Explore with Us: Davis on the Cheap

Updated 4/15/2021

One of the best things about living in Davis is our university.  Having access to free lectures, art, and music presentations, and on-campus festivals is priceless.  Nevertheless, there is more to Davis than just the university.  Join my hubby and me as we guide you through our lovely town of Davis, California exploring free fun activities.   

Walk Among the Flowers

A favorite activity is exploring the UC Davis Arboretum, a 100-acre botanical garden used for teaching and research planted alongside Putah Creek.  Along this 3.5-mile path, you will spot many species of birds, such as the Green Heron and several varieties of egrets playing in the creek, yellow-billed magpies, and a large variety of songbirds flitting here and there, and Swainson's Hawks flying overhead.  My favorite animal sighting is at the equestrian center, though.  It looks like a horse corral from the old west.  The Redwood Grove is a perfect place to take a break at one of the strategically placed picnic benches to munch on a picnic lunch.  Click for map. 

Points of Interest

  • Free Folk Music Jam Sessions, every other Friday (12–1 p.m., Wyatt Deck)
  • The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts 

How About "Art About"

Love art, music, and free snacks? Check out the "Second Friday Art About" where the entire downtown opens as a free art show.  For example, before Covid, most downtown businesses showcased a specific artist, gourmet cheeses, artesian crackers, and fine local wines, all while mingling with the locals.  Jazzy music often played in the background.  It isn’t all about paintings either, vintage jewelry and other fine arts thrills the visitor.    

Dance off the snacks at the E Street Plaza, which is jumping with a rocksy-folksy-blues band.   A local dance teacher's dance troupe adds a bit of class.   Everyone is so friendly and having such a great time, that no one gives the occasional exceptionally exuberant non-professional dancer a second thought.  Deadheads and young children alike are dancing and singing to the tunes.    

 
Bike on Davis greenbelts

Walk, Bike, Run

Explore our greenbelts. Although we are a small town/city (ten square miles), we have an impressive sixty miles of bike paths and parks that are either connected or nearly so.   Keep your eyes open for the many migratory birds, wild turkeys, otters, fox, hundreds of squirrels, and many more animals who call these areas home.   

You're Invited to Our Open House

UC Davis opens its doors to all on Picnic Day, held in April.   Thousands attend this annual event, which for us begins with the parade (virtual through Covid years).  The Marching Band always amazes—a real crowd-pleaser.   After the parade, visit a few halls, such as Hutchison.  Learn about plant pathology and receive free plants.  At Kemper Hall engineering students like to surprise the crowd with the likes of a House of Horrors and Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream. 

Picnic day celebration, Davis, CA

If you love animals, visit Hutchison Field where you'll find booths for education, various rescue groups, live animals, and conservation groups.  But the real fun is found watching animals in action.  There are dogs racing and competing on courses, sheepdog trials, and of course Frisbee competitions.  Everyone’s perennial favorite has to be the Doxie Derby, a race of dachshunds--prepare to laugh uncontrollably.   

Human entertainment abounds on the East Quad, Silo, ARC, and Vanderhoef Stages where you will find a wide variety of music, dance (including belly dancing), and other talents, such as Taiko Dan drumming.   

Celebrate, Celebrate, and Dance to the Music!

Celebrate Davis—virtual through Covid—held in May, is a festival celebrating everything Davis.  Hosted at the Community Park (corner of F Street and Covell Boulevard), it looks like an old fashion town fair—very family-friendly.  

There is rock-climbing, petting zoo, bands, and more.  Local businesses and organizations set up booths offering information and free "stuff".  Take a picnic, check out all the freebies, and dance to the music.  We will be!

Note: Covid 19 has locked many of these activities down for now.  However, this is Davis.  And in Davis, we celebrate most everything.  So check in often as all of this should return soon.  

Please Read

Hotel Room Review of Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Davis

Market Review: Nugget Grocery, Davis, CA

Road Trip to the Albion River Inn on the CA Coast 

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Comments

  1. Theresa10/12/2014

    Sounds like so much fun. Can't wait to visit the area and try some of your suggestions.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ThePoliteOne2/13/2015

      Thank you! It is a unique place to live and visit.

      Delete

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