UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden

If you are looking for a short or longer walk/ run this place serves it all! Just had a bit of time available and decided to do a quick 2 miles. Leaving from King Hall and headed west through the walking path toward the vet school gets you just about 1 mile just past Putah Creek lodge to the teaching nursery then turn back for the two miles ending around Spafford lake. There are still improvements going on so watch and abide by the detours. Mother Nature is always leaving surprises with foliage and picture perfect moments.

Quiet trail in the morning along the creek. Renovations are underway to make a multi benefit land repurposing project and the creek is dry in some places and weirs are being created. Lovely to see wet portions and ducks.

The UC Davis arboretum is an approximately three-mile long loop full of plants from all around the world, all surrounding a small segment of Putah Creek. The entire trail is paved, accessible, and cycleable. This is one of my favorite arboretums. I've been coming here for many years.Redwoods? Check. Cacti? Check. Acacia? Okay, I can't think of very many plant names, but there are lots here. Visitor maps are available at: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/uc-davis-arboretum-visitor-mapI usually park somewhere in Davis, and enter the arboretum through the Terrace Garden, which is located just behind Davis Commons Shopping Center.After passing through the shovel sculpture, the arboretum pathway passes through a variety of plants and groves, including redwood, redbud, oak, and acacia groves, countless flowers, and all of the wildlife in the creek.Almost every time I've come to the arboretum, I've seen ducks, turtles, herons, loons, geese, rabbits, hummingbirds, butterflies, bluebirds, etc. On a few occasions, I've seen otters. If you are looking for an Instagram worthy photo backdrop, you are sure to find it here. The Arboretum is also a great entry point for the Davis bike trails. Arboretum entry is free, but there is a parking fee if you choose to park on campus. The arboretum is beautiful any time of year, but the best time to visit is early to mid spring, which is when the most plants are flowering, and the most baby animals can be spotted.

Service- none. Selection- I guess you can choose where you want to go? Putah Creek Lodge? Walk down to the other end, aka Davis Commons? Or you can choose to sit on the grass. Value- varies. It can be free if you find the correct parking space. Or, pay using whatever app-based parking service that UCD has going. Bike there and it's free as well. There are placards at some plants with titles and scientific names of those plants. The arboretum is a larger place and it seems like the vet school is at one end. Getting too chilly to park it and have a picnic but still a great place for a walk.

I loved walking around the Arboretum. The only issue was finding parking, which I finally did find hourly parking thru an app. I loved all the available seating areas and how the Arboretum is centered around the river.

Really enjoyed walking around with the family around the arboretum trail. Walking/bike path with a lot of people enjoying g the beautiful day. Lots of old trees to help shade the path. Weekends looks like you can park for free vs the weekdays you pay for parking.

I've always seen signs about the UC Davis Arboretum and only now had a chance to visit. I was a little confused at first looking at the website. I was trying to figure out what time they closed on Sundays, only to discover it is an outdoor walkway with nature and plants - open 24/7. It's not a botanical garden with specific hours and admission. Good to know! HahaWe enjoyed the abundance of wildflowers along our walk. We didn't go through the entire route, so I'm sure we missed some good things. But I hope to be back again when the weather is more mild to enjoy the sights.

Beautiful area !! very zen and relaxing . Enjoyed the weather and the live animals that were walking near by because of UC Davis veterinary area

This place was recommmeded to us by our cousins and it did not disappoint! I'm not sure which side we were on but it had a nice picnic table surrounded by trees. It felt like we were having a picnic in the woods! So relaxing and serene! After eating, we were able to explore the rest of the arboretum and it was such a nice stroll. Even though it was a weekend, we didn't see too many people. We loved seeing all the different greenery/blooms and plan to come back to picnic by the water. Highly recommend giving this place a try for a low-key picnic type of day!

For sure my favorite place to go in Davis!! Very nice for pictures as well; there is a redwood grove and the actual lake to hangout on as well. Very nice destination; dog friendly :)