Discover Yolo Magazine Summer 2023

Summer

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT CACHE CREEK

By Aaron Geerts

Northern California is a veritable gold mine of outdoor adventures. From its beautiful beaches on the coastline to the awe-inspiring mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe and the lush valley in between, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. Now with warmer weather on the horizon, Cache Canyon River Trips is an ideal adrenaline rush that’ll cool one off with white water while stoking the fires of one’s adventurous spirit.

Cache Canyon River Trips first was first started in 1973 by founder Sam Fortner. As humble as beginnings can possibly be, it was simply Fortner and some friends making their way down the creek with store-bought rafts. Inspired to extend the fun to others, Fortner bought more rafts and expanded the business.

Unfortunately, there was a drought in 1976-1977 — much like the drought California had recently experienced in the past couple of years — and there wasn’t enough water to keep the business flowing. Thanks to Mother Nature yielding some rain — and an article by Sunset Magazine — the business took off and officially became incorporated in 1978.

“My husband Mark and I grew up in this area and worked on the river when we were in college in the ‘90s and we purchased Cache Canyon River Trips in 2019. The business has

persevered through droughts and the COVID pandemic, always being family owned and operated,” said co-owner Brandy Burns. “We own the company and run it with our two sons, Justin and Garrett. It’s also the first rafting outfitter on Cache Creek and the longest running.”

One might be trepidatious about embarking on a whitewater rafting tour. Danger levels, however, remain at a minimum with the largest rapids on the trip only reaching Class III. Burns maintains that Cache Canyon River Trips hosts many first-timers ranging in age from 12 to 75, who not

ABOVE: A family paddles their Aire Puma inflatable raft through “Mother Rapid” a class III rapid on Cache Creek on an August 2012 afternoon.

BELOW: A pair of girls push their two-person Aire Lynx inflatable raft through “Mother Rapid” in June 2017. Courtesy photos

only loved their experience, but had no problem navigating the water. This is Mother Nature’s domain, of course, and isn’t without varying levels of risk when facing natural obstacles which only adds to the fun.

“If you enjoy the outdoors and enjoy the water, this is a great way to experience parts of the Berryessa Snow Mountain Wilderness Area. It can be anything you make it — a nice day or two where you let the water carry you down the river while you enjoy the sunshine, the wildlife and some thrills in between,” Burns said. “Or, it can be a fun group event where you can bring your water canons, challenge each other to see who handles the rapids the best, hang out along the banks, find a swimming hole and have a party on the water ending with an amazing riverside dinner and blissful sleep under the stars. It is a great combination of adventure and relaxation. There are no phones and no wi-fi and no distractions — a perfect day or weekend getaway. And unlike the American River, which is filled with freezing cold snow runoff, our water comes from reservoirs above and is much warmer.”

Much more than a riverrafting excursion, Cache Canyon River Trips features a beautiful riverside campground in their one- or two-day packages. In this natural environment, one may very well see some locals, including bald eagles, deer, tule elk, black bears, turtles, river otters, beavers, and a variety of birds and other wildlife. With so much wildlife and beauty, one might discover that disconnecting from technology is the best way to reconnect with nature as well as themselves.

“We just love being outdoors and sharing the beauty of

our local area,” Burns said. “We also love meeting new people from so many diverse backgrounds and getting to see old friends who return each year. Our whole job is about creating a good time — it’s kind of a good time!”

To book an unforgettable experience with Cache Canyon River Trips, one can visit their website at cachecanyon.com or call at 530-796-3091. The meeting location of their oneday trip package is at Camp Haswell at 1999 Highway 16 in Rumsey, CA 95679 while the meeting location of their twoday trip package is at Cache Creek Canyon National Park — Lower Site at County Road 40 Rumsey, CA 95697.

For more information on what to bring for camping (trailers and RV’s are also welcome), accommodations, directions and all other inquiries, one can also go to cachecanyon.com.

One can also follow this family-owned business on

social media by searching Cache Canyon River Trips on Facebook and @cachecanyonrivertrips on Instagram. There, you’ll find an abundance of smiles on the faces of those who answered a more adventurous call of nature.

ABOVE: Young paddlers negotiate past a rock in July 2017.

BELOW: A family celebrates as they pass through Mother Rapid in an Achilles zodiacstyle raft in July 2012.

Courtesy photos

ART IS EVERYWHERE IN DAVIS

Local events celebrate the joy of community

By Wendy Weitzel

You don’t have to wander far to witness Davis’ creative forces. The city is blooming with vibrant art, with murals, sculptures and galleries galore, while live music and theatre abound.

And, after multiple years of COVID and the trauma brought by a series of stabbings this spring, locals are looking for positive ways to come together for healing and joy.

Rachel Hartsough, the city’s arts and culture manager, said the local arts sector is alive and growing, after a challenging hiatus during the peak of COVID. She noted how the arts are helping people gather and celebrate the simple joys of community, beauty, resistance and resilience.

“We have an amazing wealth of cultural resources for a city of our size,” she said. “There is movement afoot to transform our public spaces through art and engagement with artists.” Additionally, grant money from the California Arts Council and increased city funding for the arts is expanding the scope and boosting outreach, cultivating Davis as an arts destination.

Davis Mayor Will Arnold is grateful for the support. “From

community wellness to mental health, local artists play a critical role in enhancing quality of life and economic vitality. We appreciate and recognize the value of retaining artists who call Davis home.”

Have no fear of missing out: We’ve got an update on the latest city art endeavors, sharing some of the magic that makes the Davis art scene so special.

Visual arts

Second Friday ArtAbout, a free monthly evening of open galleries and artists’ receptions at businesses, galleries and other art-friendly venues in downtown Davis is from 5 to 9 p.m. on the second Friday

of each month. This event promotes emerging artists in many di dsciplines, and provides informal opportunities for the public to connect with art and artists.

Street murals: Davis takes its art to the streets – literally. Local artists coordinate projects where community members design and paint murals onto their neighborhood streets, creating a sense of community, strengthened connectedness and new friendships, all while adding beauty to the area.

There are five street murals in Davis: “Street Mandala,” at K and Fourth streets, from lead artist Mark Rivera, 2014; “Naturehood,” at M Street and Duke Drive, from lead

The Davis Centennial Seal features scenes of “overlapping and intersecting themes” distinct to Davis’ human and natural history.

Wendy Weitzel/ Courtesy photo

artist Danielle Fodor, 2016; “Symbiosis,” at Chapman Place and Madrone Lane, also led by Fodor, 2017; “Elemental,” between Bianco and Hacienda courts, with lead artist Fodor, 2018; and “Elmwood Street Mural,” on Elmwood Drive, coordinated by artist Judy Catambay, 2021.

“The community-build movement has really taken a hold of Davis,” said Natalie Nelson, director of the Pence Gallery. Another example includes the Compassion Bench at Third and C streets, which now stands as a memorial to our local champion of Compassion, David Breaux, who in late April was the first victim in the stabbing series that killed two and seriously injured a third. “These projects are artist-guided, but usually designed and executed by nonartists.”

Rainbow crosswalks: Volunteers with the Davis Phoenix Coalition use temporary chalk to paint rainbow colors on crosswalks around Central Park, in the lead up to the annual Davis Pride Festival on June 4. This year’s painting is set for the morning of Sunday, May 28. These rainbows are a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and social movements, peace and diversity.

Wall and bench murals: Another community-building project is Statement of Love’s mural mosaic, installed on a wall of the Davis Odd Fellows Hall downtown by Sarah Rizzo and the late Mark Rivera. A local artist team led by Kate Mellon-Anibaba, invited the public to paint heart tiles for the mosaic border. The mural, painted by Toni Rizzo, is designed to explore what inclusion, love, community and support mean to the various diverse intersections of the Davis community.

Along the Putah Creek Parkway there are several murals and mosaic art benches. Pedestrians can enjoy them starting at the “Shovel Gateway” by Christopher Fennell, behind Davis Commons, and running under the Amtrak tunnel to the Interstate 80 undercrossing.

Alongside Logos Books, 523 Second St., is a series of murals by Jose Arenas, Elyse DoyleMartinez and Marina Contreras. Painted public pianos: In the Key of Davis provides vibrantly painted pianos, free for anyone to play. Year-round locations include the Stephens Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St; and Wyatt Deck along the UC Davis Arboretum. During the summer, you can also find them at The

Davis Food Co-op, 620 G St; Central Park, 401 C St; and the Dresbach-Hunt-Boyer House at 604 Second St; and other pop-up locations. Also, keep an eye out for the artist-designed utility boxes around town.

Centennial Seal: This 6.5-foot circular bronze seal designed by Davis artist Susan Shelton is surrounded by commemorative bricks in front of the DresbachHunt-Boyer House at 604 Second S. It celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 1917 incorporation of the city, and honors all inhabitants of this place, over time.

Davis Needle: A 25-foottall obelisk created from reclaimed bicycle parts points the way between UC Davis and downtown. Artists Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector designed and built the sculpture to celebrate the biking culture that is Davis’ signature feature.

Performing arts

Music and theater: Music and theatre are alive and well, and the newly improved Veterans Memorial Theatre is a perfect venue for many such events. Acme is a teenrun theater company tackling challenging themes of our times. Davis Musical Theater Company hosts year-round programs for children and adults, and has sent more than 40 young people on to become Broadway performers. Bike City Theatre Company presents theatrical experiences at local breweries and other venues. Davis Repertory Theatre Company produces accessible performances that inspire people to work toward a more equitable society.

Davis Shakespeare Festival has pivoted its programming to produce readings, podcasts and other theatrical initiatives under the No Vacancy Collective.

The Statement of Love’s mural mosaic, installed on a wall of the Davis Odd Fellows Hall downtown by Sarah Rizzo and the late Mark Rivera. The mural, painted by Toni Rizzo, is designed to explore what inclusion, love, community and support mean to the various diverse intersections of the Davis community.

Rachel Hartsough/ Courtesy photo

The Davis Live Music Collective is a cooperative that boasts year-round performances and an annual three-day music festival each Father’s Day weekend in June.

Davis Hootenanny, a disability-inclusive music event features the Team Davis Singers, an open mic set and a guest performer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at every Second Friday ArtAbout, in front of the Dresbach-Hunt-Boyer House at 604 Second Street.

Peregrine School hosts a Second Saturday Concert Series from 10 a.m. to noon during warmer months at its South Davis campus, 2650 Lillard Drive.

Storytelling and poetry: Storytelling is a powerful medium in Davis as well, exploring new ways to share our stories with each other to promote community wellness, social justice and compassion. Stories on Stage Davis, at the Pence Gallery, takes fiction off the page and brings it into a live venue where it is introduced by authors and interpreted by actors. Dates for the 2024 season have not been announced, The John Natsoulas Gallery hosts a Poetry Night on the first and third Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m.

Festivals

Look forward to long-time favorites and new community events that celebrate local arts and culture all year-round. Here are just some upcoming events to get you started:

Mellon Music Festival, May 26-28 also offers classical music in non-stereotypical settings, to challenge traditional notions of the genre.

The Davis Phoenix Coalition organizes Davis Pride events. The community-focused, family-friendly weekend includes a skate night, fun run,

music festival, drag queens, vendors and more – June 3 and 4 in Central Park.

Yolo Juneteenth Celebration, honoring African American freedom and achievement, is June 4 at The UC Davis Conference and Welcome Center. Local artists offer a selfguided Davis Art Studio Tour June 10-11 at studios all over town.

The annual Davis Music Fest is Friday through Sunday each Father’s Day weekend. The multi-venue, multi-genre live music event showcases local, regional and touring artists, June 16-18. Proceeds support arts education in local schools.

Make Music Davis, June 21, is a free celebration of music around the world, encouraging anyone to make music on that day.

Community resources

Arts Alliance Davis: Bringing together more than 300 participants in the arts community, Arts Alliance Davis encourages collaboration, promotes the arts to residents and visitors, and advocates for public and private support of the arts in all facets of the community. In the past few years, the arts sector has shown up for the whole community, advocating for support for the arts and artists in a huge way. The results of this work can be seen everywhere, from murals, to poetry, to programs in the parks.

Shelly Gilbride, executive director of International House Davis, is chair of Arts Alliance Davis. “The arts and culture community in Davis is vibrant, creative and extremely collaborative, even though sometimes the artistic process can be an insular one. (We give) the creative community the opportunity to meet, share, network, cross-pollinate and

problem-solve,” she said.

“Theatre makers, dancers, visual artists, singers and all the organizations that make culture happen come together to help and uplift one another, and make sure all of the great artistic work is promoted in the broader community,” Gilbride said. “We all share the belief that arts and culture bring a community together and create the human connections that we all need to thrive.”

The Alliance has steadily grown, and has a website to celebrate the wealth of cultural resources in Davis: www. artsalliancedavis.org. There’s a calendar, directory, resources and a chance for artists to connect and share. Join the group on Facebook, follow it on Instagram, or subscribe to the email list to receive updates.

Davis Art Map: A map of citywide public art is available, thanks to collaboration between the city and the UC Davis design department. Beautiful and functional, it calls attention to features that make each neighborhood special, and celebrates more than 170 pieces of public art throughout the city.

Memorable public art dots the scenery everywhere you go. Notable ones include the Caterpillar Sculpture in the Central Park Gardens, The Davis Needle at Third Street and University Avenue, and the Davis Centennial Seal, in front of the Dresbach-Hunt-Boyer House at 604 Second St. Besides the print map, everyone is invited to find, record and share creative expressions of all kinds on the city’s Map It! Storymap program. Find this and more about the local arts scene at www.cityofdavis.org/arts.

For more information about arts and culture in Davis, contact Rachel Hartsough at RHartsough@cityofdavis.org.

BERRYESSA GAP PUTS THE ‘WINE’ IN WINTERS

By Aaron Geerts

Winters is a charming little town with a deep agricultural heritage and a short drive away from anywhere in Yolo County. Berryessa Gap Vineyards is not only deeply rooted in that heritage but is one of the many must-visit spots in Winters and features a variety of awardwinning wines.

Berryessa Gap got its start decades ago in 1969 when Dan Martinez Sr. went into business with winemaker and wine historian, Ernest Peninou. For decades, they would develop and provide grapevine rootstock to the Napa and Sonoma areas renowned for their viticulture.

In 2000, Dan Martinez Jr. along with farming and business partner, Santiago Moreno purchased Coble Ranch

west of Winters and – with the knowledge derived from his father’s decades of cultivating grapevine rootstock – planted the vineyards that source

wines. A couple of years later, Berryessa Gap opened up a tasting room in downtown Winters (located at 15 Main St.),

Berryessa Gap’s

RIGHT: Berryessa Gap Vineyards President Corinne Martinez presents four of the business’ 18 dry wines and six wine aperitifs at its downtown tasting room. Pictured (from left) are Albariño 2022, ZGB Rosé 2022; Tempranillo 2019 and Petite Sirah 2020.

BELOW: Young prune trees grow at a perfect viewing spot of the Berryessa Gap itself.

Christoph Lossin photos

and shortly thereafter, another just outside of Winters at 27260 Highway 128 — a perfect viewing spot of the Berryessa Gap itself.

“We’re lucky to have two locations. With the location on 128, you have the view of the gap and mountains looking west, and it’s also a shared location with Berryessa Brewing Co, so people can enjoy beer and wine. There’s often live music, and food trucks there as well as indoor areas to sit on the wintery side. We can also host private parties or do private tastings along with patio seating,” said Berryessa Gap Vineyards President/COO/ Co-Owner, Corinne Martinez. “You’re just out in the country with fresh air in a casual, family-friendly environment. It’s just a beautiful place where people can enjoy their afternoon, some good music and good wine. We’re also very lucky to have our spot in historic, downtown Winters which is a very charming place to be. That building is very inviting too with our front space pouring out into Main St. which is partially closed on the weekends and there’s live music in the street

on Fridays through October.”

While the views and atmospheres of the Berryessa Gap locations are undoubtedly immaculate, they pair quite well with the quality wine served at them. In fact, many of Berryessa Gap’s wines are frequently featured and recognized – and given over 90-point ratings –by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Sommeliers were also singing Berryessa Gap’s praises most recently at the San Francisco Chronicle’s 2023 wine competition as this family business took home a best-inclass award as well as other gold awards for different reds and whites they presented. Not to mention, one of their relatively new aperitifs won as well.

“Albariño

“Tempranillo

As if Berryessa Gap’s resume wasn’t tasty enough, they also host an international dinner series every so often that features food from around the globe – along with wine pairings, of course.

“We started this during COVID, and it was a combination of our tasting room manager, Brendan wanting to do something with global dinners and pick some cuisine and prove that there are cuisines other than the traditional ones you think of like Mediterranean that will go with wines. So, we came up with idea and said, ‘Look, it’s COVID, people can’t travel, let’s bring this food to them,’” said Martinez. “It’s a global dinner

LEFT: A pair of Berryessa Gap Vineyard wines — an Albariño 2022 and a Tempranillo 2019 — await tasting.

is a Spanish variety from the Raixas Biasi region .... This aromatic wine has a combination of citrus and tropical notes,” Martinez said.

is also a Spanish variety from Rioja ... with subtle dark berry aromas with well-balanced tannins.

RIGHT: Young Tempranillo grapes grow at Berryessa Gap Vineyards.

Christoph Lossin photos

ABOVE: Corinne Martinez performs a sanitation check on a tank following a bottling and cleaning operation.

series, and we pick a country or region in the world that’s not traditionally paired with wine, we get a chef to prepare the food and show them that you can. It’s a very participatory event too asking people to bring things from home that may be related to the region of the world we’re featuring. They get very creative with it bringing plates, souvenirs or flags from a previous visit.”

From the views, to the wine, to the food and the ensuing smiles that come with them all, Berryessa Gap embodies the work ethic of Winters coming to fruition in an amazing fashion that all of Yolo County and beyond can enjoy

“For me, it’s just a love of the place, where we are and what we do and share with people,” said Martinez. “I feel I’m so lucky to be able to do this here in Winters, in Yolo County where there’s an abundance of fresh air and produce. There’s also rich, family tradition we have in our family on both sides. It’s the Spanish side of having big gatherings and

preparing food and sharing with people. So, I love the food and wine part of it, I love inviting people to come experience it and enjoy it, I love telling everybody about it and I enjoy continuing to explore ways to invite people to discover what we have going on here. It’s very rewarding to share what I love with other people that enjoy it. If I can bring joy to wine lovers and provide a great experience to them, then that’s what’s going to make me happy.”

To learn more about and stay up to date with Berryessa Gap Vineyards, visit their website www.berryessagap. com and their social media accounts by searching @ berryessagapvineyards on Instagram and Facebook. Or head to their downtown Winters tasting room at 15 Main St. with phone number 530-795-3201, or their country location at 27260 Highway 128 with phone number 530-795-3345.

Wine and good times abound, it’s no wonder you can’t spell Winters without “W-I-N-E.”

BELOW: The Berryessa Gap downtown tasting room. Besides the business’ 18 dry wines and six wine aperitifs, it sells local nuts, olive oil, dried fruit and honey, as well as t-shirts, hats and other Berryessa Gap-branded gear.

Christoph Lossin photos

ABOVE: L’Apéro les Trois lounge with its six aperitif varieties: (from left) Green walnut, Black mission fig, Rosemary Orange, Homestead Quince, Meyer Lemon and Blenheim Apricot.

PICNIC IN THE PARK IS BACK

By Wendy Weitzel

The community missed its lazy Wednesday evenings in Central Park – the music, food and family fun. The Davis Farmers Market listened, and found a way to bring back its beloved Picnic in the Park.

Starting May 17, Picnic in the Park returns, and continues every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 13. A local band will play each night. There will be children’s entertainment, loads of food vendors, and plenty of opportunity to gather as a community. Late September through early May, Wednesdays swap back to a traditional farmers market, open 3 to 6 p.m.

Randii MacNear, executive director of the Davis Farmers Market Alliance, is thrilled. With a redesigned layout, it will be more manageable. “I’m so happy, because I really feel like we broke people’s hearts. There was no solution except to try to bring it back – if we could find a way.”

The new layout of the Wednesday market is designed for success. Food trucks will fill the patio area, and the band will play from the top of the stairs, facing the lawn. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for picnicking. Tables and chairs will no longer be provided.

During operating hours, the market will have an opencontainer permit, allowing patrons to consume alcohol on the grassy area, whether it’s a bottle

of wine from Heringer Estates, or a can of beer they bought from a downtown brewery or from home.

COVID-19 health guidelines halted concerts and alcohol consumption just before the Picnic in the Park season was to begin in March 2020. In November of that year, the Alliance announced it would discontinue the festival portion of its Wednesday market because it was difficult to manage. Meanwhile, the Davis Downtown Business Association plans a fall concert series called Thursdays in The Davisphere, with five events planned between Aug. 31 and Oct. 26, in Central Park or on G Street, depending on the date. The music schedule and locations are being finalized.

While the change simplified the market and allowed it to focus on its roots, the family and community-gathering tradition was missing. Thursdays in The Davisphere concerts were highly successful but not a replacement for Picnic in the Park. The market recently announced its Wednesday music lineup. To see the bands playing, visit

www.davisfarmersmarket.org/ entertainment-schedule/.

Picnic in the Park will focus on family-friendly children’s activities and music, along with a wide range of food made from market ingredients. Plans call for a clown and face-painter but no pony rides or bounce houses.

“It’s going to be a little bit more low-key than it was, but everything it was,” MacNear said.

Year-round in downtown Davis, thousands gather each week to shop for what is grown, raised and made locally. Since 1976, the Davis Farmers Market has connected and supported communities, area agriculture, farmers and artisan food producers. It educates the public about nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and the local economic value of buying food and products directly from the producer.

The Davis Farmers Market’s signature markets are Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons/evenings in Central Park. It also manages farmers markets at UC Davis, Sutter Davis Hospital and Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento. Since 2000, its Davis Farm to School program has supported the Davis Joint Unified School District, providing farm- and gardenbased education, increasing farmfresh foods in school meals, and reducing solid waste through recycling and composting. For more information, visit https// davisfarmersmarket.org or visit it on Facebook or Instagram.

Wendy Weitzel/ Courtesy photo

Davis Farmers Market’s Picnic in the Park has returned after a hiatus due to the pandemic.

THURSDAYS IN THE DAVISPHERE

By Wendy Weitzel

Thursdays in The Davisphere, the concert series launched in 2022 by Davis Downtown, will resume in August with new venues and activities, in five fun-filled events.

Thursdays in the Davisphere will appear in different areas of downtown, depending on the date. Brett Maresca, executive director of Davis Downtown, said the entertainment lineup and locations will be announced in the coming weeks. “We’re going to be testing a few different locations and a few different activities,” he said.

The 2023 concerts are Aug. 31 on G Street, Sept. 21 in Central Park, Sept. 28 and Oct. 12 on G Street, and Oct. 26 in Central Park. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. The entertainment lineup will be announced soon.

The inaugural season of Thursdays in The Davisphere was weekly in September and October 2022, thanks to funding from a city of Davis grant to revitalize local businesses emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. A follow-up survey showed a nearly 90% approval rating of the event, citing the energy and vibrancy it brought to the downtown. This year, Davis Downtown builds on this feedback, expanding it beyond Central Park. It will host five events between late August and late October.

The 2023 series “is designed to get people moving around

downtown and involved with different businesses, not just in one area,” Maresca said.

The Davisphere event on Sept. 21 is timed to welcome returning UC Davis students, and will include mobile food and beverage vendors as well as a beer and wine garden. Patrons are encouraged to purchase their food and drink from surrounding businesses as the event is hosted at additional locations downtown. Davis Downtown will continue to provide a designated nonprofit beneficiary to receive a portion of proceeds from participating bars and restaurants.

Davis Downtown is recruiting sponsors, vendors, bands and family entertainment acts. For details, email Autum Foss at autum@davisdowntown.com.

Davis Downtown leads and

energizes the downtown as the primary business, entertainment and cultural center of Davis. Alive with activity seven days a week, downtown Davis draws locals and visitors alike to experience fine food and beverages, retail, professional services, arts and entertainment in an extraordinary and sustainable gathering place.

• For more information on The Davisphere, visit www. thedavisphere.com.

• Learn more about Davis Downtown events and programs at www.davisdowntown.com.

• To stay abreast of activities, sign up for the Davis Downtown email newsletter at www. davisdowntown.com/subscribe.

• Follow Davis Downtown on Facebook at @davisdowntown and on Instagram at @davis. downtown.

Courtesy photo

Concert-goers fill Central Park for one of the Thursdays in the Davisphere series, launched by Davis Downtown in 2022.

In Over Your Head

UC DAVIS ARBORETUM: MUSEUM OF TREES+

By Monica Stark

A museum of trees in the heart of the UC Davis campus invites families, visitors of all ages and even dogs on leashes 24 hours a day, year-round, to enjoy its demonstration gardens and scientific collections.

Voted as the Davis Enterprise’s Reader’s Choice for Best Tourist Destination in Yolo County, the 100-acre UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden “inspires human potential to help people and environments thrive.”

Whether taking an accessible pathway or an offbeat trail, the Arboretum invites visitors to explore academic influences from various departments, be it plant science, veterinary studies, Native American studies, ecology, or geology. This can be done with self-guided tours or free educational events, often led by environmental leaders.

From bees to butterflies, double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, green herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, native western pond turtles, and even invasive species like a red-eared slider, the Arboretum teaches visitors about the critters that call it home. The Arboretum primarily focuses on plants from Mediterranean climates, meaning dry summers and cold winters; the various collections focus on California, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Mediterranean.

Beautiful for most of the year, the gardens boast about 100

“Arboretum All-Stars”; plants that do well in California’s Mediterranean climate and are tested in the UC Davis Arboretum. Many All-Stars are low-maintenance, droughttolerant, attract beneficial wildlife and pollinator insects, and are power-line friendly. In the Arboretum, they are identified with brightly colored signs, each with a photo of the plant in bloom, a list of its qualities, and information on how to grow it, according to the Arboretum All-Stars booklet.

Since 1936, community outreach and education have been cornerstones of the success of the Arboretum. In addition to staff horticulturists, student

interns of various focuses, and volunteers, collectively donating about 26,000 hours a year, the Arboretum connects people with the environment and the work of the UC Davis campus. Whether you’re biking alongside white and yellow flowers growing in the Pollinator garden, on the lookout for cacti growing fruit and flowers in the Desert Collection, having a picnic at Lake Spafford, witnessing a hummingbird enjoy a taste of spider aloe at the Hummingbird GATEway Garden, going on a full moon walk in the white flower garden or simply relaxing in the Native American Contemplative Garden, three

Meandering through the Arboretum’s center is the Arboretum Waterway, an old channel of Putah Creek that is essentially a pond with an excellent stormwater management system.

Arya Lalvani photo

types of gardens dominate the living museum: demonstration, GATEWay Gardens, and the Arboretum’s scientific collections. Collections include Redbud, redwood, Southwest and Mexican, Oak, and Acacia. Meandering through the Arboretum’s center is the Arboretum Waterway, an old channel of Putah Creek that is essentially a pond with an excellent stormwater management system. All central campus storm drains empty into the Waterway. The Arboretum and Public Garden received a major grant to complete the renovation of the Arboretum Waterway over the next three years, with construction beginning this year.

If venturing out to the Arboretum, check out these highlights:

1. The Arboretum GATEway: A shovel-art sculpture by Artist Chris Fennell used shovels

donated by the community to create a large archway. The shovels symbolize the community’s care for the Arboretum since its beginning. The Arboretum GATEway Garden connects the Arboretum with the city of Davis and is full

of plants within 20 miles of the location.

2. Redwood Grove: One of the largest collections of coastal redwoods outside of its native homes, the trees were planted in 1941, just a few years after the Arboretum’s opening. With about four times as much rain as in recent years, horticulturists expect to see regrowth on some trees in the late spring.

3. Wyatt Deck: A home to many events over its 50-plus year existence, the redwood Wyatt Deck was completely renovated to replace rotting redwood boards. The deck now has an accessible pathway. If you’re a folk musician or simply like folk music, an open folk jam is held many Fridays at noon during the school year.

4. California native garden and nearby C.N. Gorman Museum of Native American Art: Native plants fill the area,

Planted in 1941, the UC Davis Arboretum has one of the largest collection of coastal redwoods.

Arya Lalvani photo

which is also home to large oak trees. The nearby C.N. Gorman Museum of Native American Art, which will reopen this year for its 50th anniversary, will connect its entryway toward the Arboretum with indigenous plants. The museum has been working with the Arboretum to bring its planting palette up there. Because the Arboretum leads many tours from that area, there are more plans of collaboration due to the very compatible audiences.

5. Native American Contemplative Garden: After the remains of 13 Patwin people were discovered during the construction of the Mondavi Center, UC Davis committed to honoring Native Americans. The garden is a part of that effort. The campus sits on Patwin land, home to the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and the Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians. At the end of the path are the names of 51 Patwin people who Spanish colonizers removed between 1817 and 1836 for missionary work.

6. Animal Science GATEway Garden: Just north of the Arboretum’s Southwest U.S.A./ Mexican collection, dirt trails lead visitors to an unlocked steel gate. On the other side, visitors can learn about the horses and corrals. There is a seating area made from old tractor seats and a round deck made from fallen

trees on campus. Keep your eyes peeled for hummingbirds attracted to the autumn sage, an Arboretum All-Star, found within The Southwest U.S.A./ Mexican collection, which features many drought-tolerant plants.

7. California Rock Garden: Geology classes use this garden, conveniently located outside the department building. The rocks are from various parts of California.

8. Hummingbird GATEway Garden: Working with the UC Davis Hummingbird Health and Conservation Program, the Hummingbird GATEway Garden educates the public on the importance of hummingbirds to the environment as pollinators, for example.

9. California native grass meadow: Planted with native grasses and wildflowers, the meadow holds extra rainwater from the nearby VetMed parking lot and filters the run-off.

Before the rain runoff from the parking lot gets into the waterways, which is so chock full of oil, rubber tire debris, and other pollutants, the water runs into bioswale drainage and eventually runs into this big basin. Prior to planting the meadow with native plants,

water would fill the area quickly, but teams planted it with grasses boasting fibrous roots that created channels for the water to get deep into the soil.

10. Nature’s Gallery Court: A mural consisting of 140 ceramic tiles features plants and insects from the gardens near it.

11. White Flower Garden: White flowers there reflect the moonlight, perfect for nighttime walks.

12. Oak Grove: Home to more than 80 types of oaks, the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove has a collection of oaks native to the western United States as well as rare oaks.

Campus parking is available in visitor lots for daily parking ($15 per day) on weekdays and free on weekends and holidays. Parking can be purchased through the ParkMobile app or website.

To park by the hour, use permit dispensers located in the Gateway Parking Structure and visitor parking lots 1, 5, and 47 — to purchase parking by the hour.

Sources: https://arboretum. ucdavis.edu/ and tour with GATEways horticulturist Ryan Deering.

A UC Davis student shares a peaceful afternoon with a few mallards along the bank of Lake Spafford in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Gardens.

Arya Lalvani photo

Springtime brings an abundance of blooming flowers and organic growth near Lake Spafford.

Arya Lalvani photo

ONGOING EVENTS

Davis

Davis Craft & Vintage Fair

• Select Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Central Park, 301 C St., Davis

Established in 2012, Davis Craft and Vintage Fair was once called Square Tomatoes Craft Fair. This event was started by teachers from the UC Davis Craft Center in order to have a monthly craft fair for local artisans. The event is home to local artists and makers from the Davis and greater Sacramento area. Expect to see vendors with local baked goods/ foods, jewelry, homemade crafts, vintage and more. In addition, live music fills the open space for a lively atmosphere. Visit www. daviscraftandvintage.org.

Davis Cruise-In

• Third Saturday of month, April through Oct., 5 to 7 p.m.

Between 50 and 80 cars, trucks, motorcycles and bikes are on display. Exhibitors are invited to bring their prized-possession vehicles, whether they’re fully restored or not. Entry is free. Email daviscruisein@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/Daviscruisein.

Davis Farmers Market

• Central Park, 301 C St., Davis

• Saturdays: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Its flagship market is open on Saturday with abundant vendors. Open rain or shine.

Wednesdays, mid-May to mid-September, Picnic in the Park: 4 to 8 p.m. with live music, beer and wine, children’s activities, more food vendors and a full market.

Wednesdays, mid-September to mid-May: 3 to 6 p.m. Smaller, mid-week market. Visit davisfarmersmarket.org

Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market

• Thursdays, May through Sept., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 2000 Sutter Place, Davis

An extension of the Davis Farmers Market. Visit davisfarmersmarket.org/our-partners

UC Davis Farmers Market

• Wednesdays, fall and spring quarters, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• UC Davis Student Community Center

Seasonal on-campus extension of the Davis Farmers Market. Visit healthy.ucdavis.edu/ eating-well/farmers-market

Woodland Farmers Market

• Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 201 First St.; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (June-August)

• Woodland Healthcare, 1325 Cottonwood St., Woodland

Visit thewoodlandfarmersmarket.org.

2nd Friday ArtAbout

• Second Friday of each month, 5 to 9 p.m.

• Various locations downtown

Davis’ Second Friday ArtAbout is a monthly, self-guided art walk exploring art installations and receptions at galleries, art co-ops and businesses in Davis. This free event offers art, activities, live music and opportunities to converse with featured artists. Visit davisdowntown.com/artabout

Woodland

Food Truck Mania, Woodland

• First Sunday of each month, (Second Sunday in July & Sept.) 4 to 8 p.m.

• 428 First Street, Woodland

Join in on an afternoon of delicious fun with food trucks, music and many activities and local businesses to discover. Event entry is free. Visit www.mojoskitchen428.com.

First Friday Art Walk, Woodland

• First Friday of each month

• Various locations, 6 to 8 p.m.

Galleries, restaurants and businesses in downtown Woodland feature exhibitions, performances and viewing. Receptions and live music! Visit visitwoodland.com

Mojo’s Hot Summer Nights Car Show, Woodland

• Every third Thursday, May through October (Fourth Thursday in August due to the Yolo County Fair)

• Mojo’s Lounge/Kitchen 428, 428 First Street, Woodland

Mark your calendars and get your cars ready for Mojo’s Hot Summer Nights car shows this summer. Cruise in your hot rods, cool cars and lowriders anytime between 5 to 8 p.m. Car show starts at 6 p.m. Visit mojoskitchen428. com/car-show.

ANNUAL EVENTS

Cache Creek Lavender Festival, Rumsey

• June 10-11; Cache Creek Lavender Farm, 3430 Madrone St., Rumsey

• www.cachecreeklavender.com

An annual celebration in June of all things lavender. During the festival you’ll find live music, wine tasting with local vineyards, food, lavender products and u-pick lavender, field tours and talks, craft demonstrations and more!

Davis Music Festival

• June 16-18; Various venues

• davismusicfest.com

Davis Music Festival (DMF) is a three day multi-venue multi-genre live music event showcasing local, regional and touring artists — all to benefit local arts nonprofits. It’s like our own version of SXSW in a single weekend.

4th of July Criterium, Davis

• July 4; Downtown Davis

• davisbikeclub.org/4th-of-julycriterium

Bikes race through downtown Davis, starting as early as 7:45 a.m. The Fourth of July Criterium is a local classic: a Northern California institution started in 1976. The event features all-day racing in downtown Davis, including most categories, plus cargo bike and a fun kid’s race. Spectators enjoy the thrill of the races as well as the many food and vendor offerings downtown.

Albariño Wine Stroll, Winters

• August 5; Downtown Winters

• www.discoverwinters.com

In celebration of the International Albariño Grape Day, walk through the streets of charming Winters to experience wine and food

pairings, specials at local retail stores and enjoy live music.

Yolo County Fair, Woodland

• August 16-20; Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 East Gum Ave., Woodland

• yolocountyfair.net

One of the last remaining free-admission fairs in California. Every August this five-day fair features music, a rodeo, destruction derby, rides, food and livestock.

Farm to Fork Uncorked Weekend, Clarksburg

• Sept 1-4; Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg

• oldsugarmill.com/events.html

The Old Sugar Mill is excited to join the Sacramento Region in their loving support for all things “Farm to Fork” with “Farm to Fork Uncorked.” Farm to Fork Uncorked weekend

is a celebration at the Old Sugar Mill where local wine, wine makers and growers are highlighted. We will be offering wine tastings, along with local Farm to Fork vendors from around Sacramento and the Delta region.

Stroll Through History, Woodland

• October 7; Various locations downtown Woodland

• strollthroughhistory.com

Take a step back in time to experience the history of Woodland. Enjoy a street fair, tour of historical homes and buildings, exhibits, vintage vehicles, entertainment and people dressed in period costumes.

Winters Festival de la Comunidad & Carnitas Festival

• Sept. 30, 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Downtown Winters

A community celebration of cultures featuring a carnitas cook-off, live music, a cultural show of folklorico and Mariachi vocalists, Native American dance performances, and family-friendly activities — all for a good cause, bringing ethnic traditions together.

Davis Beat and Jazz Festival

• October; John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 First St., Davis

• natsoulas.com/davis-jazz-andbeat-festival

Celebrating the spirit of collaboration and creativity that flourished in California during the 1950s and early 1960s. Every October, musicians, filmmakers, scholars, historians, painters and poets converge on Davis for this premier creative-arts event. Experience an intimate festival filled with poetry readings

Ken Byes photo

Stroll Through History in Woodland.

and painting improvisation set to the rhythm of live jazz. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to experience exclusive performances by well-known jazz musicians, jazz painters and poets.

Tractors & Brews, Woodland

• October 27; California Ag Museum, 1962 Hays Lane, Woodland

• californiaagmuseum.org

“Guests will delight in seeing tractors unveiled, engines started, and see a trio of smoke rise to the ceiling accompanied by old time showmanship,” said Doug Veerkamp, a member of the board of directors. This traditional watering hole features music, food tasting and a variety of brews and wines.

Holiday Weekends, Clarksburg

• Every weekend Nov. 24 through Dec. 23

• Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg

• oldsugarmill.com/events.html

A monthlong celebration of “all things holidays.” Shop local holiday vendors, sample

delicious wines that are perfect for your holiday celebration, enjoy food trucks and listen to fun festive holiday music.

Tractor Parade, Winters

• First Saturday in December

• discoverwinters.com

The Holiday Tractor Parade features dozens of farm tractors and heavy equipment decorated in twinkle lights and holiday decor representing local businesses and community organizations. Visitors can watch this year’s Tractor Parade from anywhere along Main Street.

Woodland Holiday Parade

• December; Woodland Main Street

• woodlandchamber.org

Sit along Main Street in historic downtown Woodland and enjoy one of the largest parades in Northern California featuring holiday cheer. More than 150 entries entertained parade watchers in 2016. Santa Claus riding on an antique fire engine is counted on as one of the highlights; the Ben Ali Shrine is a crowd favorite. As a California State Horsemen’s Association judged parade, many fine horse entries participate from throughout California

and surrounding states.

Wine Lover’s Weekend

• Feb. 3-4, 2024

• Old Sugar Mill, 35265 Willow Ave., Clarksburg

• oldsugarmill.com/events.html

Bring your Valentine to the Old Sugar Mill to celebrate Wine Lover’s weekend. Enjoy wine tasting, food trucks, live music and more!

Capay Valley Almond Festival

• February; Various venues

• www.espartoregionalchamber.com

Started in 1915, this is the only event in Northern California held simultaneously in six towns (Madison, Esparto, Capay, Brooks, Guinda and Rumsey). It’s an outstanding showcase of the riches you can find in the Capay Valley region. Enjoy all things almond blossom, plus great food, music and wine!

California Duck Days

• April; Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area HQ, 45211 County Rd 32B, Davis

• yolobasin.org/california-duck-days

Duck Days Festival is a family oriented, community-based outdoor festival with activities for people of all ages. Field trips are let by some of the region’s most experience birders and naturalists. On-site activities for families include interactive exhibits, marsh exploration, and wetlandthemed arts and crafts.

NORCAL Celtic Festival

• April; Downtown Woodland

• www.norcalcelticfestival.com

This free NorCal Celtic Festival, in beautiful and historic downtown Woodland, showcases Celtic music, dance, food and culture. Kilted Pipe Bands, Solo Pipers and Drummers, Drum Majors and Scottish Highland Dancers compete throughout the day along Main Street, in Historic Downtown Woodland, culminating in the much anticipated gathering of the Massed Pipes and Drums playing “Scotland the Brave.” The Nor Cal Celtic Festival hosts the Sacramento Valley Highland Dance Championships which will showcase the skills and athleticism of the dancers, as well as being a celebration of Scottish heritage.

Picnic Day, UC Davis

• April; UC Davis campus & Downtown Davis

• picnicday.ucdavis.edu

This family-friendly event is free for all to come and experience the richness of diversity and achievement at UC Davis and the surrounding community. Picnic Day is produced by students and is believed to be the largest student-run event in the country.

California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Art, Davis

• April; Various venues, Davis

• natsoulas.com

The John Natsoulas Center for the Arts continues the largest sculptural ceramics conference in the world. Conceived by the need for dialogue and direct interaction between artists and students, it brings the ultimate ceramic sculpture event to Davis. In an intimate setting, you can interact with top artists in a way not possible at other venues. UC Davis, home to the late sculptor Robert Arneson, was instrumental in defining a new direction for ceramic art. Enjoy delightful

downtown Davis and be inspired by nationally recognized ceramic art talents.

Youth Day, Winters

• April; Downtown Winters

• wintersyouthday.com

Winters Youth Day was founded in 1933 to teach the aspects of city government to a group of high school students. Each year, the high school elects mock city officials who “take over” the city offices in Winters for a hands-on experience and participation in a council meeting.

After a week of training, everyone is honored with the annual Youth Day Parade and a daylong celebration. After the parade the city park fills with booths, crafts, music, food and entertainment. Pre-celebration events, such as the Duck Derby on Putah Creek, start on Friday evening.

Pence Gallery Garden Tour, Davis

• May; Various venues

• pencegallery.org

For more than 25 years, the Pence’s Garden Tour has provided the public with the opportunity to view up to 10 beautiful local gardens. Visitors have enjoyed Japanese gardens, art-filled yards and xeriscapes filled with native grasses. This self-guided tour is a ticketed event. Tickets are sold at the Pence, Redwood Barn and Newsbeat, and include access to the gardens.

Whole Earth Festival, UC Davis

• May; UC Davis Quad

• wef.ucdavis.edu

With morning tai chi and nighttime fire twirling, the annual Whole Earth Festival will samba and sway onto the UC Davis Quad Mother’s Day weekend. Whole Earth began in 1969 when an art class taught by José Argüelles organized an “art happening” at UCD. The students used art to involve visitors in the ultimate goal of learning about activism, wellness and the environment. The Whole Earth Festival aims to ignite passion, propel creativity and leave visitors with inspiration. Circling the Quad are food vendors and crafts booths selling jewelry, art glass, clothing, toys and more. Bands, yoga classes, spoken word and dance are abundant at the three-day WEF.

Woodland Winefest

• May; Downtown Woodland

• www.soroptimistofwoodland.org/ winefest

The annual Woodland Winefest returns to historic downtown Woodland’s Heritage Plaza. Along with a variety of great wines, attendees will be able to taste local honey, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and locally brewed beer. Food will be available for purchase.

Woodland Street Cruisers Back to the Street Car Show and Cruise

• May, Main Street, Woodland

• woodlandstreetcruisers.com

Hot rod, classic car, custom car, rat rod, Bonneville racers and classic motorcycle owners and enthusiasts show their cars in downtown Woodland. Proceeds are donated back into the local community, supporting groups such as the Woodland Care Car (Meals on Wheels), local food banks, Toys-for-Tots, and many other charities.

Celebrate Davis!

• May; Starting at 4:30 p.m. and ending at dark with a fireworks display

• Community Park (14th and F streets)

• davischamber.com

Festival and business expo: family fun, music and fireworks. Live music with local youth bands. Food, beer and wine garden. Raffles and prizes. Attendance is free.

Fred Gladdis photo

The UC Davis Picnic Day Doxie Derby.

Bat Talk and Walk with Yolo Basin Foundation

One of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in the State of California lives under the Yolo Causeway in the expansion joints of Interstate 80. As the weather warms, more bats return and become active with summertime peaks of approximately 250,000 bats. Ribbons of bats are seen exiting the bridge around sunset as they exit each evening to hunt for crop pests and mosquitoes.

Join Yolo Basin Foundation on a summer Bat Talk and Walk. The family-friendly experience takes about three hours, and there are many dates to see the bats between June and September. Adult tickets are $15 each, children are $5 each.

• More information: http://yolobasin.org/ battalkandwalks

Bicycling

Davis takes its reputation as the bicycle capital of the country seriously, and there are many ways this town proves its loyalty to pedal power.

It has earned the title of “America’s Best Bicycling City” because of its high volume of bicycle use, its renowned system of bikeways and cyclist-friendly facilities, and supportive city and university programs.

There are 125 miles of bike lanes and bike paths within city limits. Bike paths along greenbelts, in city parks, on campus and along the UC Davis Arboretum make bicycling a pleasant, leisurely activity with beautiful

scenery.

The Davis Bike Club also has created route maps, offering more than 20 bike rides, with routes including Davis, Winters, Woodland, Clarksburg, the Capay Valley and beyond. The route maps and “cue sheets” — the detailed descriptions of how to ride from here to there — are available through the Davis Bike Club website — davisbikeclub.org.

• More information: For even more bike-related information, resources and laws, plus a detailed bike map, call UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services at 530-752-8277; visit the city of Davis Department of Public Works, 23 Russell Blvd.; or visit Yolo County Visitors Bureau, 132 E St., Suite 200, Davis

Boating

Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.

Berryessa’s water reaches temperatures of up to 75 degrees in the summer, making it an ideal place for water sports.

Anglers enjoy fishing for coldand warm-water species, such as rainbow trout, bass and catfish. One of the largest bodies of fresh water in California, Lake Berryessa is 26 miles long by 3 miles wide, with 165 miles of shoreline. An unusual feature of the lake is the spillway or “glory hole” above the Monticello Dam, a concrete funnel that drains excess water.

The Bureau of Reclamation provides two large day-use areas (Oak Shores and Smittle Creek), Capell Cove launch ramp and many smaller dispersed day-use areas. The seven resorts

around the lake are managed by concessionaires under contract with Reclamation and provide camping, day-use and boating facilities.

The Monticello Dam area at the southeast corner of the lake is one of the best local birding areas. The best time to visit for birding is in early spring and late fall during migration and nesting seasons. Look for eagles, hawks, songbirds, wild turkeys, Canada geese, pelicans and great blue herons, among others.

• Location: Lake Berryessa is 40 miles west of Sacramento. Nearest towns are Napa to the southwest or Winters to the east. Nearest highways are state Highways 121 and 128.

• More information: 707-966-2111; recreation.gov

Camping

Yolo County’s public parks, which total 2,300 acres, are spread out over the county’s 1,024 square miles. Some span hundreds of acres, offer dozens of campsites and boast oak trees older than the United States.

“It’s everything from Elkhorn Regional Park along the Sacramento River to parks on Cache Creek, parks on Putah Creek, parks in the mountains, parks in the grasslands,” said Andrew Fulks of Tuleyome, a Woodland-based environmental group. “They really showcase all that Yolo County is. There’s a little bit of everything.”

For campers, 685-acre Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park has 45 individual campsites, four large group camp sites, two restroom buildings, a general store, large turf areas, a

playground, numerous picnic tables, a day-use parking area (parking fee required), and rural pedestrian access to Cache Creek.

These public parks offer the county’s 217,000 residents — and the 2.7 million people in the Sacramento region — a way to relax, play and adventure. County officials want more people, including outsiders, to camp, fish, hike and boat in Yolo County.

• More information: yolocounty.org; www. yolocounty.org/government/ general-governmentdepartments/parks

Dog parks

Toad Hollow Dog Park generally is the place to be for Davis’ four-legged

friends. This 2.5-acre fully fenced park — at 1919 Second St., Davis — provides plenty of room for your dog to play, and it includes a fenced small-dog area, too.

Parking is available at the park and along Second Street next to the park. Your dog must be on leash from the parking area until you enter the park. Drinking fountains and trash stations with plastic bags are provided.

Another fenced, off-leash dog run is at Community Park, 1405 F St. (west of the skate park). There are also several unfenced off-leash areas throughout Davis.

• More information: Call 530757-5656 to check the status of the dog parks, as they close in wet weather; www.cityofdavis. org/city-hall/parks-and-

community-services/parksand-open-space/dog-parks

• Woodland Dog Park: 2001 E Street and Road 24A

• Winters: Willow Canal Dog Park, 703 County Rd 90, Winters

Double-decker buses

In 1968, Unitrans, UC Davis’ bus system, purchased vintage doubledecker buses from London and brought them to Davis to start a bus system. Over time, Unitrans added 10 more of the vintage AEC Regent III RT buses, although only three remain today.

These iconic buses currently operate on select, limited trips and may be expanded to serve more routes in 2023-2024. If you’d like to ride one of the vintage buses, call Unitrans at 530-752-2877 and ask our office staff when one is scheduled.

You can also ride one of our four modern double decker buses which operate on weekdays on the V West Village and J Anderson/ Alvarado/Sycamore bus lines.

• More information: For upto-date schedules, visit the Unitrans website: unitrans. ucdavis.edu

Farm Tours

Yolo County is agricultural land, and there are many ways to get out and experience it.

As former Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor explained, “Yolo County plays a unique role in our region. When we talk about a ‘farm to fork’ effort in the Sacramento region, more often than not, the farm is

in Yolo County.

“Our county’s climate, soil, talent and research create one of the finest agricultural settings in the world. Many of us are fortunate to shop at some of the best farmers markets in the nation, shop at grocery stores that stock produce from local farms and subscribe to Community Supported Agriculture programs.”

So if you want to harvest your own summer fruits or find the best Halloween pumpkin, explore the world of gourds, channel your inner cowboy, and learn how a working farm operates, there are many farm tours offered in Yolo County.

• More information: The Yolo County Visitors Bureau has a listing of more than 20 farms and ranches that participate in tours and offer a wide variety of seasonal events. visityolo.com/listing_cat/ agritourism/?tab=farm-tours

• Or visit the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ comprehensive site for the California agricultural tourism directory at www.calagtour. org.

Hiking

Spring-fed waterfalls cascading over shadowy caverns, pockets of wetlands with turtles floating undisturbed and the fur of black bears shimmering in the sunlight as they move swiftly along river banks.

Recounted by Andrew Fulks, who manages UC Davis’ Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, these adventures actually are close to home. Fulks has worked

Spanning 12 miles in length, the loop comprises a series of bike paths, trails and bike-friendly roadways that pass through most Davis neighborhoods and their lush

to inform, protect and expand opportunities in local nature. And the local outdoorsman shares his journeys from the Blue Ridge trail off Highway 16 to a route leading into Pierce Canyon Falls.

• More information: Detailed descriptions of nearby hikes are listed on the Tuleyome Trails page at www.tuleyome.org/trails or at yolohiker.org.

Paddling

Cache Creek is part of the wild and scenic California water system. It is one of the major rivers in Yolo County, flowing southeast from Clear Lake through U.S. Bureau of Land Management land and then along Highway 16. The wilderness area has the second largest populations of bald eagles and tule elk in California.

For most recreational boaters, Cache Creek is run in two sections in the upper canyon above Rumsey. The first section is known as the “Fun Run.” Boaters put in at Yolo County’s Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park Upper Site or just over the county line at the confluence with Bear Creek.

This segment of river is popular with people looking for Class II and III whitewater. The proximity to Woodland and Davis means the fun run can be done as a half-day outing. Time on the water is usually two to three hours.

The best place to take out from the water is at Camp Haswell County Park, upstream from Rumsey. Various outfitters rent all the gear needed, as well as provide transportation and lunch along the river.

• More information: californiawhitewater.com/rivers/cachecreek

Swimming

Bust out the sunscreen and floppy hat when the city pools are in full swing for the summer. Both Arroyo and Manor pools are expected to be open for recreational swimming through Labor Day weekend. Both pools have lap swimming, diving, water slides and play areas.

• Location: Manor Pool, 1525 Tulip Lane; Arroyo Pool, 2000 Shasta Drive

• More information: 530-757-5626; www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/parksand-community-services/aquatics-andcity-pools

Wetlands

The city of Davis wetlands is a unique project established for the dual purpose of wildlife habitat restoration and water quality enhancement. The 400-acre project is one of the largest constructed wetlands in the United States, relying on treated wastewater and stormwater runoff as water sources.

The Yolo Basin Foundation leads tours of the wetlands on the first Sunday of the month. Visit www. yolobasin.org for tour times; tours last approximately two hours. Or, visit them on your own time and see Canada geese, American avocets, Cooper’s hawks, sandpipers, barn owls, wood doves, songbirds, muskrats, jackrabbits, beavers, turtles, bullfrogs, toads and other species.

The four ponds are: the West Area Pond, 31 acres at Shasta Drive and Arlington Boulevard; the North Area Pond, 16 acres at F Street and Anderson Road; the Core Area Pond, 15 acres at Second Street and Pole Line Road; and the Evergreen Pond, 5 acres, across from Sutter Davis Hospital.

The Davis Wetlands are open every day from Feb. 15 through Aug 31, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are open Mondays only Sept. 1 through Feb. 15.

Another local wetland is the 16,000acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, one of

the largest public/private restoration projects with 3,700 acres of land in the Yolo Bypass floodway restored to wetlands and other associated habitats, with more restoration in the works. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the Yolo Wildlife Area to promote an increase in waterfowl and other bird populations. The Yolo Basin Foundation leads tours of Yolo Wildlife Area as well.

• Location: Interstate 80 at the Yolo Causeway between Davis and Sacramento

• More information: 530-7573780; www.yolobasin.org

UC Davis

The largest University of California campus, UC Davis is known for standout academics, and is widely recognized for its specialties in agriculture, viticulture and enology, the biological sciences and veterinary medicine. UC Davis ranks high across the board, according to many outside measures that assess university reputation.

The university offers 100 undergraduate majors and 90 graduate programs among four colleges and six professional schools. Current enrollment is more than 34,000 students.

Founded in 1905, with the first students admitted in 1908, UCD began as the University of California’s farm school. After a half-century as a branch of UC Berkeley, UCD was declared an independent general UC campus in 1959. What began as an “ag” school now is ranked among the top 10 public universities in the nation.

With annual events like Picnic Day, three art museums, Division I athletics, departments of music and theater and dance performances at the world-class Mondavi Center and vast expanse of land (5,300 acres), there are many reasons to visit UCD.

• Take an organized tour, get tickets to an event or just wander the campus.

• More information: www.ucdavis.edu

Fred Gladdis photo

A girl enjoys a water feature at Manor pool.