Davis, California may be a college town, but that doesn’t mean it slows down once school’s out for the summer. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The city comes alive in summer, when the sunshine draws visitors from across the region to enjoy the outdoors.
Summer in Davis is all about live music and community festivals. In fact, something is going on in Davis just about every weekend throughout the summer months, from live music to family-friendly celebrations. In addition, there are outdoor adventures, great restaurants, and craft breweries.
A trip to Davis makes a great weekend (or weekday) escape. Before you head out, be sure to check out the many hotels in Davis, many of which have special amenities to enhance your stay, such as swimming pools to keep you cool and bikes to borrow to explore the town.
And no worries on deciding what to do. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for spending three summer days in Davis, California.
Day One
Your first day in Davis is a good time to settle into your hotel and get a lay of the land. Consider a stroll through downtown Davis, which is lined with quaint restaurants, one-of-a-kind shops, lively bars, and live music venues.
Speaking of music, Davis is a great place to catch a local band. If you’re lucky, you’ll be here during the Davis Music Festival, held over three days in mid-June. The festival welcomes musicians from all genres, including rock, country, jazz, bluegrass and others. There are more than a half-dozen participating venues, so there’s always a show going on somewhere.
If you’re in Davis during the week, consider a visit to Picnic in the Park, held Wednesday evenings May through September in conjunction with the Davis Farmers’ Market. Not only can you pick up fresh fruits and veggies, but you can also grab prepared food and lay out in the park to enjoy local bands. There are also activities and entertainment for kids, plus local wine and beer. If you’re here on a Thursday, consider Downtown at Dusk, a free music series where you can enjoy live music and grab a bite to eat from one of the many downtown eateries.
Summer is also a great time to explore craft breweries in Davis. One to consider is Calicraft Brewery, which offers IPAs, lagers, and porters. They have a full kitchen so you can also grab a bite to eat. Their menu includes pizza, sandwiches, and salads.
Another option in Davis is Sudwerk, a longstanding brewery known for their German-style beers. Their restaurant serves German dishes as well as classic American pub fare like burgers. Perhaps best of all, they host a summer concert series and host special events such as trivia.
Day Two
Summer in Davis is the ideal time to get outdoors, and there’s no shortage of places to explore. One place to start is the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve. This natural ecosystem has several mellow hiking trails. Or you can explore from the water via kayak or canoe. It’s especially popular for bird watching.
Curious about bats? During summer, you can see thousands of bats fly out from beneath the Yolo Causeway during the annual Bat Talk and Tour, hosted by the Yolo Basin Foundation. Running from June through September, you’ll learn about these fascinating creatures and watch them form into long ribbons as they emerge to hunt.
Tonight is a great night to experience the many great restaurants in Davis. There’s nothing better on a warm summer night than dining al fresco, and Davis has plenty of restaurants offering lovely outdoor patios where you can relax and have a great meal. One spot to consider is My Burma, which serves traditional Burmese cuisine on their shady outdoor patio. Another is Paesano’s, an Italian-influenced eatery that offers wood-fired pizza, pasta, and salads.
Day Three
Sadly, today is your last day in Davis. Before heading home, you may want to pick up a few souvenirs from your visit. A great place to do so is the Davis Craft and Vintage Fair, held every other Sunday at Central Park. Here, you’ll find local vendors selling vintage items as well as handmade goods such as T-shirts, jewelry, woodworking, and crochet. There’s also live music!
On your way out of town, you might notice the surrounding fields swathed in bright yellow blossoms. Summer in Davis is sunflower season, and you can admire the fields of blooms along Interstate 80 west of town or along the many backroads that surround Davis. There are also sunflowers near Great Bear Vineyards, which offers wine tasting and events such as Sunday brunch.
Plan Your Summer Escape to Davis
Whether you’re enjoying a local festival, listening to live music, or exploring the many natural wonders of Davis, there truly is something for everyone in this friendly college town. Check out the many lodging specials in Davis and book your summer trip today!
