Davis Life Magazine brings you the daily rhythm of our town through great stories and photography. We cover food, design, health, outdoor living, and the people who make Davis, California, a unique place to call home. Whether you are a long-time resident, a UC Davis student, or a visitor, dive into the stories that define our community.
Recent Editorial Highlights & Community Voices
Flustered by Feathered “Friends”
It’s 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The kind of morning when you want to sleep in, but nature has other plans. Our relationship with local wildlife is a constant balance of adoration and frustration. Read more about the morning chorus that wakes up our neighborhoods.
Too Green For Me
Sustainability is a core value in Davis, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. “I may have to quit my job because of garbage,” writes our contributor. It all comes down to the pressure of recycling perfectly and the humorous struggles of living up to the city’s high eco-standards.
Our Best Friends
There was no way I was going to write about this. That’s what I told myself. But the bond between humans and their pets in this city is undeniable. From the dog parks to the cat-friendly porches, our four-legged companions are the unsung heroes of our daily mental health.
Vocal Art Ensemble: Comfort Food for the Soul
When one thinks of the holiday season, aside from music and good cheer, doesn’t food usually come to mind first? The Vocal Art Ensemble thinks so. For their concert set, they included food along with their music and good cheer—at least in their audience’s imagination. Entitled “Comfort Food: Choral Music,” this event highlighted how art nourishes the community just as much as a warm meal.
‘Tis the Season for Local Shopping
I really wasn’t asking for much. But it sure felt like I was. My quest began at the local Safeway, a friendly enough place where employees smile and chat. This story explores the hustle of the holidays in our small town and the importance of finding joy in the simple errands.
Frog City: Embracing the “Davis Weird”
Here’s a dirty little secret – I’m not really a Davisite. While I’ve lived in Davis off and on since age five, and long before it became an actual city, I don’t really qualify since I’m just not weird enough. Don’t get me wrong, I’m plenty weird in other respects. But to truly embrace the “Frog City” moniker, one must appreciate the quirks that make this town legendary.
Eye of the Beholder: Art in Public Spaces
We don’t always understand it. We don’t even like some of it. Yet there is no question that our fair city is filled with it. And not only in all the obvious places. I used to think that art could only be found in museums, and that good art was distant. In Davis, art is on the street corners, in the plazas, and integrated into our daily commute.
The Colors of Us: A Walk Through the Farmers Market
Walking through the farmer’s market this past Saturday was both a colorful and reaffirming experience. I had strolled past the fragrant stalls many times over the years, but on this particular Saturday, I wasn’t admiring the vibrant assortment of produce. It wasn’t the sweet scent of blushing peaches that caught my attention, but the diversity of the people gathering in Central Park.
Living the Davis Life: A Guide to Our Community Culture
Davis is more than just a university town; it is a microcosm of progressive living, agricultural heritage, and artistic expression. Below, we explore the pillars that make living here a distinct experience.
The Bicycle Capital of America
You cannot talk about Davis without mentioning the bikes. Since the 1960s, Davis has pioneered bicycle infrastructure in the United States. It’s not just a mode of transport; it is a lifestyle.
- The Bike Loop: The city is encircled and crisscrossed by greenbelts and bike paths that allow residents to travel from one end of town to the other without ever touching a main road.
- Safety First: With dedicated bike signals and protected lanes, families feel safe letting children ride to school, fostering independence from a young age.
- The Hall of Fame: Hosting the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame puts us on the map globally, attracting cycling enthusiasts who appreciate our flat terrain and scenic routes.
Farm-to-Fork is Our Reality
While “Farm-to-Fork” is a marketing slogan for many cities, in Davis, it is our history and our present. Surrounded by the rich agricultural land of Yolo County and anchored by the world-renowned agricultural programs at UC Davis, we live closer to our food source than almost anyone else.
The Davis Farmers Market in Central Park is the heartbeat of the weekends. It is not simply a place to buy groceries; it is the town square. On Wednesday evenings (during the Picnic in the Park season) and Saturday mornings, the community gathers to:
- Support local growers selling organic almonds, tomatoes, and stone fruits.
- Listen to live local bands playing in the pavilion.
- Enjoy food trucks offering diverse cuisines.
- Engage in community activism and local politics at information booths.
Art, Design, and the “Davis Weird”
There is a local saying: “Keep Davis Weird.” This isn’t about being strange; it’s about being authentic. The city embraces a unique aesthetic that values creativity over conformity.
- Public Art: From the whimsical “Egghead” sculptures by Robert Arneson scattered across the UC Davis campus to the “Gandhi Statue” in the arboretum, art is accessible to everyone.
- The Toad Tunnel: Only in Davis would the city build a dedicated tunnel under a highway specifically to help migrating toads cross safely. This quirky project symbolizes our dedication to nature and our eccentric approach to problem-solving.
- Sustainable Architecture: The influence of “Village Homes”—a solar-powered, eco-friendly neighborhood developed in the 70s—still impacts how we design and build today. Edible landscaping and common spaces are prioritized over fences and isolation.
Top 5 Ways to Experience the Real Davis
If you are new to the area or looking to rediscover your city, here is a checklist for the ultimate Davis experience:
- Walk the Arboretum: Spanning over 100 acres along the banks of Putah Creek, the UC Davis Arboretum is a living museum. It is perfect for jogging, bird watching, or simply sitting under the shade of a giant oak.
- Visit the Raptor Center: Learn about the rehabilitation of birds of prey. It’s an educational gem that highlights our connection to the local ecosystem.
- Attend the Whole Earth Festival: Usually held on Mother’s Day weekend, this student-run event celebrates sustainability, music, and counter-culture history.
- Explore Downtown via the Art Walk: On the second Friday of every month, galleries and businesses open their doors for free art viewing and refreshments.
- Get Lost in the Greenbelts: Pick a path and see where it goes. You might end up at a hidden playground, a community garden, or a pond you never knew existed.
Join the Conversation
Davis Life Magazine is dedicated to capturing these moments. We believe that a community is built on the stories we share. Whether it is a debate about city planning, a review of a new restaurant, or a personal essay about parenting in the valley, your voice matters.
We invite you to slow down, ride your bike, and enjoy the view. This is Davis, and this is your life.