UC Davis Arboretum Day Trip: Relax And Explore Nature

Davis’ crowning jewel may well be the UC Davis Arboretum. The gardens are open 24 hours a day, and there is no admission fee. Visitors travel to the Arboretum for incredible gardens, interactive exhibits, guided tours, and to purchase plants for their home gardens. The UC Davis Arboretum covers 100 acres along Putah Creek. Thousands of trees and plants on the grounds represent different geographic areas, plant groups, or horticultural themes.

History of The Arboretum

This Arboretum was established in 1936 and offers roughly 3.5 miles of paved paths that are great for strolls, jogging, and cycling. The Patwin people originally inhabited the area, and an ancient oak tree once served as a boundary marker on an early Mexican land grant. Putah Creek (Green River) was dammed to create the waterway and lake in the garden and provide flood control. However, the creek’s lack of water flow during the summer leads to green algae growth in the stream.

Activities UC Davis Arboretum

The UC Davis Arboretum is a beautiful place to walk and appreciate nature. The garden is usually quite busy with students during the school year, so visiting on weekends or holidays is best. You can admire the artwork tiles in the oak grove, relax in the redwood grove, or check out the turtles in the waterways. The Shields Gazebo is a great spot for weddings due to its climbing, flowering vines, and lush surroundings. One animal that seems to be the Arboretum’s river is the otter. Quite a few of them have made their home in the Arboretum’s waterway.

UC Davis Arboretum Plant Sale

The Arboretum Teaching Nursery organizes plant sales several times a year. It offers various plants mostly grown at the Arboretum, focusing on Central Valley gardens. The proceeds from these sales help fund the Arboretum and support the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden’s environmental leadership programs. It’s a great opportunity to add color to your home garden and contribute to a worthy cause.

Getting to UC Davis Arboretum

If you want to explore the Arboretum, park your vehicle in the visitor lots. The parking fee is $15 per weekday, but it’s free on weekends and holidays. The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden includes the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve, a rare stream and grassland ecosystem covering 640 acres. It is managed for teaching, research, wildlife, and habitat protection. Visit the UC Davis Arboretum website for detailed information.

Nearby Points of Interest

Sacramento Delta Driving Loop

Are you interested in exploring the significant historical areas in the Delta? You can take a driving tour that covers all the sites, starting from Rio Vista. The route is a 40-mile clockwise loop that takes you north. You can spend an entire day exploring the historic river towns and take a break for lunch along the driving route around the Sacramento River Delta.

Sacramento’s Old Town Waterfront District is perfect for exploring the region’s past and enjoying various fun-filled activities. You can spend a day exploring the historic buildings and museums, taking the Sacramento River Cruise, riding a train, and indulging in delicious food and shopping. Old Sacramento is a National and California Historic Landmark, with 53 landmark buildings covering 28 acres. Visit the Sacramento Old Town Waterfront website.

Western Railway Museum

Western Railway Museum allows visitors to ride historic streetcars and interurban electric trains from California and other western states. Streetcars loop the shaded picnic grounds, and interurban cars run over the restored main line of the old Sacramento Northern Railway. The Western Railway Museum is on Highway 12 between Rio Vista and Suisun. The address Is 5848 State Highway 12, Suisun City, California.

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