Discover Yolo & Solano Counties
Visitors’ Guide
C2 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
What’s so great about Yolo County? Plenty! Enterprise staff Yolo County is tucked away between Lake Tahoe and San Francisco, but it is a world apart. The vibrant cities of Davis, Winters and Woodland, along with the outlying communities in the picturesque countryside, have something to offer all year. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of experiences — pedaling along bike paths lined with lush greenery, strolling through parks, shopping in historic districts, and enjoying art walks, cultural events and adventure sports, to name a few. Explore natural beauty by touring verdant farmlands or walking quiet creekside trails. Enjoy great entertainment, from intimate theaters to the world-class stage of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts. Sample an abundance of carefully crafted local wine, stroll farmers markets famous for their selection and freshness, and enjoy just about any cuisine under
The twice-weekly Davis Farmers Market is one of those quintessential Yolo County experiences that isn’t quite the same as anywhere else. Courtesy photo
the sun at one of many fine restaurants. History buffs will find much to discover in Yolo County, as will adventurers, nature lovers, families, art aficionados, sports fans, music enthusiasts and even canine companions! Davis has many attractions to keep you busy — a lively downtown with interesting restaurants, art galleries and retail shops; 125 miles of bike paths and lanes; the twice-weekly Davis Farmers Market (voted best Farmers Market by American Farmland Trust), the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame; live music and theater; 100 acres of plants and trees at the UC Davis Arboretum; and of course, internationally renowned UC Davis itself. Winters is a small yet accessible town, surrounded by fields and orchards, with a booming art scene and historic charm. Many delights await you: art galleries; antique stores; live musical performances at The Palms Playhouse in the historic Winters Opera House; wine tasting; and
great local cuisine. Woodland is full of historical and agricultural treasures. Enjoy farm tours, great theater at the Woodland Opera House, and the California Agriculture Museum with more than 130,000 square feet of exhibit space. The city of Woodland also offers beautiful examples of Victorian and Craftsman-style houses in the historic center of town. Or just outside of town, catch one of the many themed train rides on the Sacramento River Train. Woodland also hosts many fun-filled festivals and events throughout the year, from the Honey Festival in May to the Stroll Through History in September. Here’s your guide to exploring ; it concentrates on things to do, see and experience in Davis, Woodland, Winters and the smaller towns throughout the county. — The Yolo County Visitors Bureau, www. yolocvb.net, contributed to this story.
MAY 2022
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MAY 2022 C3
Bicycling Enterprise staff
Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise file photo
Kerry Rowland-Avrech discusses her mural “Splash” in downtown Davis in 2012.
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. n More information: For even more bikerelated information, resources and laws, plus a detailed bike map, call UC Davis Transportation and Parking Services at 530-752-BIKE (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
A dad and his young son pedal along a Davis bike path during the 2015 Davis Loopalooza, an annual celebration of Davis’ bike paths.
Artwalks/Public Art Enterprise staff One way Davis likes to liven up its landscapes and neighborhoods is through public art. Playful sculptures, functional pieces like a wall or a clock, and much more adorn the downtown area, shopping centers, parks, greenbelts and buildings throughout Davis. Local businesses combine efforts for a festive evening on the second Friday of each month. Pence Gallery and The Artery orchestrated the post-pandemic return of the 2nd Friday ArtAbout, a monthly self guided artwalk 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. The community’s outdoor and indoor public art is available all the time for people to see — and, in some cases, to climb on. For example, a stroll through downtown might take you past “The Joggers” at Third and F streets, “Solar
Intersections” at the train depot, “Clepsydra” clock and water feature on the E Street Plaza or the many pieces in Central Park. And public art is in every other corner of Davis ... just look around! n More information: A public art walking tour guide can be picked up at the Yolo County Visitors’ Bureau at 132 E St., Suite 200, Davis. Davis also
boasts a transmedia sculpture walk, where each sculpture has a radio frequency identification technology chip embedded into it over which participants may wave their cell phones to interactively learn about each work of art.
Fred Gladdis/ Enterprise file photo
n Location: Pick up a map at John Natsoulas Center for the Arts, 521 First St., Davis n More information:
Parks Enterprise staff
Mike Trask/Enterprise file photo
“Roy the Dog” stands guard at the corner of First and E streets in downtown Davis, in front of the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts.
With more than 400 acres of parks and greenbelts throughout the community, Davis has plenty of places where you can go out and play. Thirty-two neighborhood
and community parks, 12 large, reservable picnic areas and many smaller ones, 33 tennis courts, and other amenities such as horseshoe pits, disc golf, basketball courts and four pool complexes provide opportunities for recreational and lap swimming,
and swim classes. n More information: For a complete listing of facilities, parks and services, visit 1818 Fifth St., call 530-757-5626, or check the city’s website at community-services.cityof davis.org/facility-rentals
Visitors’ Guide
C4 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MAY 2022
Davis Farmers Market Enterprise staff The Davis Farmers Market has been a downtown staple since 1975 when it was founded by local family farmers looking for a way to sell their produce directly to the public. In 2009, the Davis Farmers Market was crowned America’s favorite large farmers market by the American Farmland Trust and thousands of voters. The win represents the integral role the Davis Farmers Market plays in the community and the avid support of its dedicated customers and fans during its long history. In the spring of 2012, the local landmark also was tapped as one of the nation’s top 10
farmers markets by USA Today. The national publication praised the market’s “very social atmosphere (where) shoppers find the bounty of California, with berries, figs, olive oil, chestnuts, asparagus and dozens of other offerings.” Explore the market stalls twice a week year-round, rain or shine, and you will find fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, honey, wine, cheese, crafts and gift baskets. The market celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. n Location: Central Park, Fourth and C streets n More information: 530-756-1695; davisfarmersmarket.org
Carson Biggs plays with piglets at the 2010 Davis Farmers Market Fall Festival.
Kathy Keatley Garvey/Enterprise file photo
The UC Davis Bohart Museum broke out insect-themed carved pumpkins for an October 2012 open house.
Bohart Museum Enterprise staff If you’re into bugs, the Bohart Museum of Entomology on the UC Davis campus has plenty of them. Butterflies? Check. Dragonflies? Check. Native bees? Check. In fact, the Bohart houses more than 7 million insect specimens, plus a live “petting zoo” that includes Madagascar hissing cockroaches, tarantulas, scorpions, a millipede
This was the scene at the Bohart Museum of Entomology’s 2018 Moth Night. Bohart associate Norm Smith (second from right) answers questions, while Bohart associate Noah Crockette (second from left), cradles an insect from the petting zoo. Kathy Keatley Garvey/ Enterprise file photo
Wayne Tilcock/ Enterprise file photo
and six different kinds of walking sticks. Founded in 1946 by noted entomologist Richard M. Bohart, the Bohart Museum is dedicated to teaching, research and service. Admission is free. n Location: UCD campus, 1124 Academic Surge on California Drive n More information: 530-752-0493; bmuseum@ucdavis.edu; bohart.ucdavis. edu
DMTC Enterprise staff The Davis Musical Theatre Company is California’s longest-running, yearround, amateur musical theater company. It was founded by Jan and Steve Isaacson in 1984 with a mission to preserve the classic American musical art form. The all-volunteer nonprofit
organization produces several musicals each year at the Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center in Davis, including “main stage” productions with adult actors and “young performers” productions for actors between 7 and 17 years old. Upcoming theatrical
seasons include “Evita,” “The Music Man,” “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Cabaret” and “Pirates of Penzance.” n Location: Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center, 607 Peña Drive, Davis n More information: 530-756-3682; dmtc.org
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022 C5
Visitors’ Guide rson de 17
amore
Sy
Russell Blvd.
J St. L St.
113
16
To S.F .
80
t. 4th S
A St.
t. 3rd S A Post Office
. 1st St
Davis city limits Parks/open space
Pools Amtrak F
e liv
. Dr
Ric O h Blv ard d. s
1 Arroyo Pool 6 Civic Center Pool 8 Community Pool 29 Manor Pool COVID-19 alert: Many venues are closed or temporarily restricted. M A P BY S H AW N C O L L I N S SCO L L I N S @ DAV I S E N T E R P R I S E . N E T
Putah Creek
2nd . s Rd Chile
Cowell
80 Glide Dr. 22
Fire
38
24
ento
cram
a To S
St.
s Rd. Chile
Cowell Blvd. N. El Macero Dr. El Macero S. El Macero Dr.
Montgomery Ave.
25 N. Putah C re e k Richards Blvd.
Services/facilities
t. I M 2nd S O O D
n. Rice L
J St.
I St.
E
G St.
L
ve. rsity A
Unive
4
F St.
B St.
C St.
H
D St.
B
E St.
. ll Blvd Russe Fire
33
15 G
5
t Posfice Of
Cowell Blvd. J
t. th S
5th St. St. 2nd . Pk. 23 27 31 Dr ch e v i Lillard Dr. Ol
t. 6th S
6
Police
t. E. 8th S
Resear
Downtown
t. 7th S
Russell Blvd.
K St.
Oak Ave.
Sycamore
Anderson Rd.
Denal i Dr.
Lake B d. lv
c
7
3 K
t. E. 8th S
14 Alhambra Dr. 13
Mace Blvd.
Arthur St.
W. 8th.
Loyola Dr.
5
to Davis
d. Covell Blv r. M Temple D 29
Mace Blvd.
UC Davis
Alice
36
a Peñ
20
26
N 14th St.
.
rill Cant
35
3 Calaveras
30 Villanova
Donner 19 11
Blv d
rch Ln. ona
2
Shasta Dr. 1 Humbo l d t Ave.
8
39
t Wrigh
C
ore
Rd. Pole Line
Arlin
9 Covell Blvd.
Little League Field
Mo
Tulip
Fire
10
Dr.
32
28
na
Hospital Covell Blvd.
i tal Ca
Marina Circle
Gra
12
lvd. nB gto
37
nde
F St.
County Road 99
21
18 . Ave
MAY 2022
Drummond Ave.
An
To 113 Woodland
Chestnut
Davis Municipal Golf Course
Pole Line Rd.
C6 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
/ mile
1 2
N
/ km
1 2
Services & facilities A Chamber of Commerce B City Hall C Davis Arts Center D Davis Holiday 6 (movie theater) E Davis Stadium 5 (movie theater) F Davis Downtown Business Assoc. G Explorit Science Center H Hattie Weber Museum I Hunt-Boyer Offices J Mondavi Center for the Arts K Senior Center L U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame M Varsity Theatre N Veterans Memorial Center/Library O Visit Yolo
Bike Loop Explore the 12-mile tour of the city using the Davis Bike Loop as your guide. The loop, marked with a green “Davis Bike Loop” logo, takes bicyclists on a scenic route along paths and quiet residential streets through the neighborhoods of Davis. This is a slow and scenic route designed for casual riders, families and children.
Parks & open spaces 1 Arroyo Park 2 Aspen Greenbelt 3 Cedar Park 4 Central Park 5 Chestnut Park 6 Civic Center Fields 7 College Park 8 Community Park
9 Covell Greenbelt 10 Covell Park 11 Green Meadows Greenbelt 12 Hacienda Park 13 John Barovetto Park 14 La Playa Park 15 Mace Ranch Community Park
16 N Street Mini Park 17 Northstar Park 18 Julie Partansky Pond 19 Oak Grove Park 20 Oxford Circle Park 21 Perimeter Greenbelt 22 Pioneer Park 23 Playfields Park
24 Putah Creek Park 25 Putah Creek Parkway 26 Redwood Park 27 Rosecreek Park 28 Senda Nueva Greenbelt 29 Slide Hill Park 30 Sycamore Park 31 Village Park
32 West Area Habitat Pond 33 Walnut Park 34 Westwood Park 35 West Manor Park 36 Wildhorse Golf Course 37 Whaleback Park 38 Willow Creek Park 39 Sandy Motley Park
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022 C7
C8 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022 C9
Lake Berryessa Enterprise staff
Owen Yancher/Enterprise file photo
Dan Fortin (left) and Rhett Clark play a round at Wildhorse Golf Club after courses in town reopened from the pandemic in April 2020.
Golf Courses Enterprise staff Public golf courses in Yolo County include: Wildhorse Golf Club, under new ownership, is a challenging course for golfers of all caliber, and includes a driving range and putting green. n Location: 2323 Rockwell Drive, Davis n More information: 530-753-4900; wildhorsegolfclub.com Davis Golf Course is a full-service facility. Besides the 18-hole course, it has a driving range and two putting greens. n Location: County Road 29 and Highway 113, Davis n More information: 530-756-4010; davisgolfcourse.com
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 cold- and 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 fea-
ture 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 dayuse areas (Oak Shores and Smittle Creek), Capell Cove launch ramp and many smaller dispersed day-use areas. There are recreation areas around the lake that 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. n 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. n More information: 707-966-2111; https://www. recreation.gov/activitypass/ 89c3fcc9-99ab-11ec-8b93 -2a848f2136c9
Wild Wings Golf Club is a long nine-hole course with 13 lakes spread over 82 acres. n Location: 18540 Wildwings Drive, Woodland n More information: 530-661-4720; wildwingsgolf.com The Ranch golf range is a driving range and lesson facility. n Location: 25603 County Road 99, Davis n More information: 949-295-8694, the-ranch-golf-range.business.site/ Yocha Dehe Golf Club, set in the gentle hills of Capay Valley, is both a secluded and peaceful setting for golf. n Location: 14455 Highway 16, Brooks n More information: 530-796-4653; yochadehegolfclub.com
Davis Golf Course hosts the Soroptimsits’ annual charity golf tournament. Fred Gladdis/ Enterprise file photo
Fred Gladdis/Enterprise file photo
Visitors’ Guide
C10 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MAY 2022
Hiking Enterprise staff 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 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. n More information: Detailed descriptions of nearby hikes are listed on the Tuleyome Trails page at www.tuleyome.org/trails/, or yolohiker.org.
Carly Wipf/Enterprise file photo
The UC Davis Arboretum’s GATEway Garden is a great spot to begin a meandering stroll along the Arboretum’s path beside Putah Creek.
UC Davis Arboretum Enterprise staff The UC Davis Arboretum is a living museum with more than 4,000 kinds of trees, plants and shrubs. Established in 1936, the Arboretum stretches along the old north channel of Putah Creek, covering about 100 acres. Students and teachers use the plant collections for research and study. Visitors come to attend classes, gather ideas for their own gardens and enjoy guided tours. The plants in the Arboretum are arranged in a series of gardens that represent different geographic areas, plant groups, horticultural themes or historical periods. Arboretum paths are popular with walkers, joggers and bicyclists. The main path is a 3.5-mile loop. The lawns at the west end near the Peter J. Shields Grove are perfect for informal games and picnics. Picnic
tables are found behind Putah Creek Lodge and in the Redwood Grove. Gardens include the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants; the Ruth Risdon Storer Garden of perennials and small shrubs; the Carolee Shields White Flower Garden; the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove including conifers and
acacias; the Mediterranean Section; the Weier Redwood Grove with North Coast Area and California Foothill Section; and the Desert Section. n Location: Along the banks of Putah Creek, Davis n More information: 530-752-4880; arboretum. ucdavis.edu
Nate Lillge/Enterprise file photo
Tuleyome hosts hiking and camping trips, including excursions into the Snow Mountain Wilderness.
Hattie Weber Museum Enterprise staff Those wishing to learn more about the history of Davis and surrounding areas can visit the Hattie Weber Museum in downtown Davis.
Richard Belcher/Enterprise file photo
A heron takes a rest on the banks of the Arboretum Waterway.
Named for Hattie (Harriet Elisha) Weber, who was the first paid librarian in Davisville, the museum is operated by the Yolo County Historical Society and run by knowledgeable volunteers. The museum houses permanent exhibits on the Davis
family, the railroad and UC Davis as well as rotating exhibits that have included Davis industries, antique family Bibles, Martin Luther King and more. Children are welcomed with treats and games at Halloween, goodie bags at Christmas and eggs at Easter. Admission is free but donations are accepted with gratitude. n Open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. n Location: 445 C St., Davis n More information: 530-758-5637; dcn. davis.ca.us/~hattieweber
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Courtesy photo
Flashy, thunderous Japanaese taiko ensemble Yamato will take the stage at Mondavi on Feb. 26.
Mondavi marks 20 years on campus By Jeff Hudson Enterprise correspondent The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts will launch its 20th Anniversary Season this fall. And some big names will be coming to town for the festivities.
The first big orchestra concert of the anniversary season will be the San Francisco Symphony, performing at Mondavi on Oct. 6 under Finnish-born conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, who became the SFS’s music
director in 2020 (but saw much of his planned concert programing for the San Francisco Symphony “rained out” over his first two years on the job by the
See MONDAVI, Page C12
MAY 2022 C11
Visitors’ Guide
C12 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MONDAVI: Classical heavyweights From Page C11 COVID pandemic). Booking the San Francisco Symphony during the opening weeks of the Mondavi Center’s 20th Anniversary Season is a deliberate act of symmetry, because the San Francisco Symphony (then led by conductor Michael Tilson Thomas) played at the Mondavi Center’s grand opening gala back in October 2002. That concert launched the spiffy new performing arts complex with a memorable flourish.
Itzhak Perlman Violin superstar Itzhak Perlman will return to Mondavi on Jan. 14. Longtime Davis residents with good memories may recall some 25 years ago, the old UC Davis Presents series booked Perlman as the bigname celebrity to perform at the concert that kicked off the fund-raising effort to build what would eventually become known as the Mondavi Center. At that time, the proposed $62 million performing arts complex at UC Davis was known as the Center for the Arts (the Mondavi family’s “naming gift” came several years
Nigel Parry/Courtesy photo
From left Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma and Leonidas Kavakos will play at the Mondavi Center on Jan. 24. later) and Perlman’s appearance was at what was then known as the Sacramento Community Center Theater (which was renovated during the past two years, and rechristened as the SAFE
Credit Union Performing Arts Center). Other notable classical names on Mondavi’s 20th Anniversary Season:
See MONDAVI, Page C13
MAY 2022
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MAY 2022 C13
MONDAVI: New faces mix with old favorites for anniversary From Page C11 n The venerable City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which traces its roots in the English Midlands city of Birmingham back to 1906, will visit Mondavi for the first time on Oct. 15. Handling the baton will be the striking 35-year-old Lithuanian-born conductor Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla, widely seen as a rising figure in the classical music firmament. n Violinist Joshua Bell, who visits Mondavi almost every season, will present a recital on Dec. 10. n Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Emanuel Ax and violinist Leonidas Kavakos on Jan. 24. These three celebrated performers, finding themselves left high-and-dry by the pandemic (with no concert dates to play), decided to get together as a trio and cut an album featuring Beethoven’s piano trios. They’ll be touring
periodically next season to support that recording. n Soviet-born pianist Vladimir Feltsman, who’s been concertizing for decades, returns on April 8, making up a Mondavi Center booking that got cancelled during the pandemic. n Finnish-born conductor Osmo Vänskä, who is currently wrapping up a nearly two-decade tenure leading the Minnesota Orchestra, will conduct the Curtis Symphony Orchestra (from Philadelphia’s renowned Curtis Institute of Music) in a concert at Mondavi on May 21. The soloist will be the respected Soviet-born IsraeliAmerican pianist Yefim Bronfman. n The popular Barbara Jackson Rising Stars of Opera concert, featuring singers from the San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellows program, has traditionally been held in October. It will now move to Feb. 5.
Jazz Vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, who’s drawn enthusiastic audiences in several previous appearances at Mondavi, returns to Jackson Hall on Jan. 27. Other familiar faces will include Cubanborn artists Pedrito Martinez and Alfredo Rodríguez (Feb. 24). The jazz season will also include several young up-and-coming artists in the Vanderhoef Studio Theater.
World Stage Benjamin Ealovega/Courtesy photo
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will visit Mondavi on Oct. 15, led by Lithuanian-born conductor Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla.
Dance Two big names: the French company Ballet Preljocaj (putting
their spin on “Swan Lake” on March 5,) and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (on April 18-19).
In a time-honored Mondavi Center tradition, the season includes a flashy, thunderous Japanaese taiko ensemble (Yamato, on Feb. 26), an Irish dance troupe (Dublin Irish Dance, April 14), a magnetic mariachi ensemble from Mexico (Aida Cuevas and Maria-
See MONDAVI, Page C14
Visitors’ Guide
C14 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MONDAVI: Mariachi and Weird Al From Page A1 chi Juvenil Tecalitán, on Oct. 12), and the young Venezuelan singer Nella, who’s won a Latin Grammy (Oct. 29).
American roots The foursome of bassist Edgar Meyer (who plays classical-to-bluegrass), violinist George Meyer (Edgar’s son), and bluegrass mandolinists Mike Marshall and Sam Bush visit on Jan. 20. Multi-talented singer/songwriter Becca Stevens (booked by Mondavi a couple of years ago, and bumped back by the pandemic) is set for Feb. 9. Ranky Tanky, which plays music reflecting the Gullah culture from islands off the Atlantic shore of several
Courtesy photo
Parody singer “Weird Al” Yankovic, right, will be at the Mondavi on Sept. 24. Southern states, visits on April 1. Operatic mezzo J’Nai Bridges and percussionis Ulysses Owens, Jr. team up for a concert featuring music of French Impressionist composers — and legendary American
bandleader Duke Ellington — on April 30.
NorCal faces The Alexander String
See MONDAVI, Page C18
MAY 2022
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Play
MAY 2022 C15
Manor Pool at Slide Hill Park 1525 Tulip Ln.
Outdoor Activities
Registration for Recreational Swim will open on Monday, June 6.
Above, the namesake slide at Slide Hill Park. Use with caution.
West Pond
Figgy Park
Grasslands Regional Park
Sycamore Blvd. to Covell Blvd.
Access via Portage Bay East greenbelt
Mace Blvd. & Tremont Rd.
32 acres provides seasonal wetland habitat and year-round wildlife habitat for many plant and animal species. Walking, biking, wildlife viewing, enclosed by a security fence.
Next to Village Homes Community Playground.
320-acre park that contains vernal pools, Burrowing owls, Swainson’s hawks and other rare and endangered species.
Great Bear Vineyards
Hacienda Park
Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven
24800 County Rd 101A greatbearvineyards.com
Hacienda Ave. & Pamplona Ave.
Reservations required for all events.
Lighted basketball court, playground.
Bee Biology Rd., UC Davis
The Haven is open daily at no charge from dawn to dusk. A unique outdoor museum providing resources for local bee pollinators, inspires & educates visitors to create pollinator habitat gardens.
Harvest Park 1701 Harvest St.
Putah Creek South Fork Preserve Mace Blvd. 1.5 miles south of Davis 192 acres restored riparian and oak savannah habitat with a few short trails. Daily public access, seven days per week from dawn to dusk.
BBQ grills, bike path, green belt fitness equipment, picnic area, playground, tot play area, walking fitness loop.
John Barovetto Park 4400 Alhambra Drive Bike path, green belt, playground, group picnic area, restrooms. Barovetto served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War and supported orphanages in Vietnam.
Sky Dance Sky Diving 24390 Aviation Ave. Operating in Davis since 1987 and started the first Tandem Skydiving program in the Western United States. Options to capture the fun and excitement on video.
Visitors’ Guide
C16 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Play
MAY 2022
Outdoor Activities
Civic Center Park
23 Russell Blvd. Multi-use/baseball field.
California Raptor Center
Cedar Park
1340 Equine Lane https://crc.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/
626 K St. (530) 757-5626
College Park Across the street from UC Davis Some say this neighborhood is the most beautiful in Davis. College Park is the name of the road that creates this neighborhood.
Davis Cemetery & Arboretum Central Park
Chestnut Park
Fifth St. & B St. (530) 757-5626
Chestnut Ln. & Alice St. (530) 757-5626
Play
Community Park
1405 F St. Skate park, play fields, playground.
820 Pole Line Road (530) 756-7807
Davis Civic Center Pool
A community tradition of historic natural beauty since 1855.
599 B St. (530) 758-1430
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art
Memorial Union Games Area
Indoor Activities
John Natsoulas Gallery 521 First St. 530-753-2651
254 Old Davis Road 530-752-850
457 Memorial Union 530-752-2580
A creative hub and museum centrally located on UC Davis campus across from the Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center and the university’s Welcome Center.
After over two years of construction, the UC Davis Memorial Union reopened its doors in 2017 to showcase a $23.5 million facelift to the university’s signature student lounge.
Davis Senior Center
Explorit Science Center
C.N. Gorman Museum 1316 Hart Hall 530-752-6567
Pence Gallery 212 D St 530-758-3370
The Pence is a nonprofit art gallery dedicated to showing the work of local and regional artists.
The C.N. Gorman Museum is committed to the creative expressions of Native American artists and artists of diverse cultures and histories.
646 A St. 530-757-5626
3141 Fifth St. 530-756-0191
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022 C17
Visitors’ Guide
C18 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MONDAVI: Opening a Red Door From Page C14 Quartet — based in San Francisco and stalwarts at the Mondavi Center since Season 1 — continue their multiconcert exploration of chamber music by Czech/ Bohemian composer Antonín Dvorák. Pianist Lara Downes and linguist John McWhorter (expert in creole languages) team up on May 5 for a reappraisal of Scott Joplin, who is best remembered as a composer of piano rags, but whose groundbreaking musical contributions to American were much more extensive. And the American Bach Soloists, based in San Francisco, will return to Mondavi’s Jackson Hall on Dec. 17 for “A Baroque Christmas,” including highlights of Handel’s “Messiah,” as well
as other Christmas music from the Baroque era.
... And something quite unusual The Mondavi Center is particularly proud to be hosting a presentation called “Evolve” by a group known as the Red Door Project, which is linked to the name of the late, great American playwright August Wilson (19452005), whose mammoth 10-play cycle examined African-American community life and experiences from 1900 through 2000. This widely praised “new performance experience” has been presented in several American cities, and comes to the Mondavi Center on Nov. 11-12. It was previously
scheduled for November 2021, but rescheduled due to the pandemic. The presentation “explores the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color,” looking at the issues involved from multiple points of view.
What’s missing Many people feel be ready to be done with the COVID virus ... but the virus continues to play havoc with the Mondavi Center’s 20th Anniversary Season lineup. And the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military earlier this year triggered plenty of knock-on repercussions for touring artists of all kinds. The Mondavi Center had engaged the Moscow State
See MONDAVI, Page C19
MAY 2022
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MONDAVI: Unexpected twists ... From Page C18 Symphony Orchestra to perform in Davis as part of the 20th Anniversary Season. “But the day after Ukraine was invaded, their tour was cancelled,” Ganter said. “It was very sad for us, and sad for their musicians (who were looking forward to playing here).” “We also had a number of artists who were concerned about the global economy and touring during 20222023,” Ganter continued. “These were not just Russian or Ukrainian artists, they were concerned about the state of the global economy,” he added. Ganter acknowledged that some Mondavi Center ticket buyers were initially a bit skittish about the pandemic when the current season began last fall. But more recently, the Mondavi Center has hosted multiple sold-out events, including Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Look back, ahead Jeremy Ganter, now the Mondavi Center’s associate executive director, was on
the Mondavi Center staff during the construction of the facility, and attended the grand opening gala in 2002. When invited to reflect on those initial days of the Mondavi Center, Ganter took a broad view and said, “When Larry Vanderhoef made the decision to build a performing arts center at UC Davis it was, in his words, the biggest risk he would ever take as UC Davis chancellor. We’ve had a lot of success in the two decades since we opened (in 2002), and we’re now an established piece of the region’s arts ecosystem. But I never forget about the gutsy, risky, and even radical thinking that got this place built. Performing arts centers can be deceptively tough operations to create and to manage, but we’re proud that the Mondavi Center has been such a labor of love, and a place that has generated awe and wonder since day one. We are very lucky.” Don Roth, who’s been the Mondavi Center’s executive director for more than a decade, came to Davis several years after the Mondavi Center opened. Roth has been thinking about the 20th
Anniversary Season for a long time, and said, “We always knew that our 20th Anniversary Season needed to be special. That, as always, we would discover amazing new artists such as Emmet Cohen and Becca Stevens. That we would bring as well Mondavi Center favorites, when possible exploring a different side of their talent, such as Yo-Yo Ma performing at the center of arguably the greatest piano trio in the world.” “But what we didn’t know, when we first starting thinking about this anniversary season, is that we would be emerging from a time that has challenged everyone one of us, our staff, the artists we present and the patrons we welcome. I feel so fortunate that I get to work with the great Mondavi Center team to provide the kinds of restorative experiences — through music, dance, theater and lectures — that can lift us out of our daily life and concerns, and provide enrichment, entertainment and joy.” For information about the Mondavi Center’s 20th Anniversary Season, go online to MondaviArts. org.
MAY 2022 C19
Visitors’ Guide
C20 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
MAY 2022
Bike Hall a perfect fit for downtown Davis By Aaron Geerts Enterprise staff writer Davis’ history can’t be told without mentioning bicycling and, as it turns out, bicycling’s history in the U.S. can’t be told without mentioning Davis. Not only is it the home of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, but this cycle-centric community helped pave the way for bike lane implementation across the country. The USBHOF is a nonprofit that began in 1986 in Somerville, N.J. In 2008, however, they sought a new home. After a nationwide competition, the organization wisely chose the city with a Penny-Farthing as its logo for its new home. “On a tryout basis before officially becoming the home of the USBHOF, we hosted the induction ceremony at Freeborn Hall on campus in 2008, and again in
2009. By 2010 we were the home of the Hall of Fame and Bike Museum,” said USBHOF volunteer, former city public-relations manager and avid cyclist Bob Bowen. “With a lot of support from the city council, redevelopment funds and donations, the teen center got renovated at 303 Third St. at Central Park and we opened in April of that year.” With Davis’ and U.S. cycling’s history coinciding like two wheels on a bicycle, locals owe themselves a visit to this museum that features a wide variety of antique bicycles, equipment, vintage poster art, awards, photos and much more. “It’s called the Pierce-Miller collection of bicycles. We have bikes and examples of bikes going back to their invention which was around 1817. We also have Penny-Farthings,
See HALL, Page C23
Courtesy photo
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame features a bike museum on the lower floor.
Visitors’ Guide
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Play
MAY 2022 C21
Indoor Activities Davis Arts Center 1919 F St. 530-756-4100
The Tsao Gallery in The Davis Arts Center is an exhibition venue and educational resource for local and regional artists, students and community groups.
Gallery 1855 820 Pole Line Rd. 530-756-7807
Design Museum of UC Davis Cruess Hall #124 530-752-6150
Located on the historic grounds of the Davis Cemetery District it was named Gallery 1855, in honor of the first recorded interment.
Equestrian Center 24390 Aviation Ave 530-753-2651 Rocknasium 720 Olive Drive, Suite S 530-757-2902
The gym offers 23 walls, 5,500 plus square feet of climbable terrain and a 16-foot-tall bouldering wall.
The Smart Axe
The Artery
207 G St 530-758-8330
The 25-acre center features horseboarding facilities, a 45,000-square-foot covered riding arena, a cross-country field, a regulation Dressage court, four barns and several pastures.
Burgers and Brew 403 Third St. 530-750-3600
Mishka’s Cafe
Cloud Forest Cafe
Mishka’s Cafe serves a varitety of fairtrade coffees and loose-leaf teas in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Cloud Forest Cafe makes coffee, juices, pastries, and paninis with a commitment to using locally sourced ingredients.
Symposium
Raja’s Tandoor
720 Olive Drive, Suite U2; book online at www.thesmartaxe.com
Dining 610 Second St. 530-759-0811
222 D St. 530-753-2164
Taqueria Guadalajara Sophia’s Thai Kitchen 129 E St 530-758-4333
640 W Covell Blvd., Suite E, Davis 417 Mace Blvd., Davis Taqueria Guadalajara specializes in homestyle, authentic Mexican cuisine.
1620 E. Eighth St. 530-756-3850
207 Third St. 530-753-9664
C22 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Dining
Mikuni’s
500 First St. Suite 19 530-756-2111
Barista Brew Cafe 431 G St. 530-757-7575
Temple Coffee Roasters
Fluffy Donuts
230 G St. 530-341-0574
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022
757 Russell Blvd. Suite 2 530-756-2037
Seasons Kitchen and Bar Cafe Bernardo 234 D St. 530-750-5101
Zia’s Delicatessen 616 Third St. 530-750-7870
217 E St. 530-746-5500
Seasons Kitchen and Bar sources from local farms and vendors, aiming to maintain a connection with farmers, ranchers, vintners, brewers and bakers who practice and embrace sound production practices.
Lodging Best Western Palm Court 234 D St. 530-753-7100
Hyatt Place UC Davis 173 Old Davis Rd 530-756-9500
University Park Inn & Suites 1111 Richards Blvd 530-756-0910
The Vine Inn 221 D St 530-756-1040
Aggie Inn
245 First St 530-756-0352
MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
HALL: Davis’ place in cycling came thanks to dedicated work From Page A1 which we’ll have about halfa-dozen high-wheel bike riders — including myself — riding them in this year’s Picnic Day parade,” said Bowen. “We have historic bikes, examples of the first gears, mountain bikes, recumbents, children’s hobby horses, bikes on railroads and we even have a Lance Armstrong bike. Lance will never be in the HOF, though, because he kind of broke some rules.”
Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise file photo
Former city of Davis publicrelations manager Bob Bowen rides a high-wheel bike in the 2016 Picnic Day parade.
MAY 2022 C23
Davis didn’t become the town renowned for bicycling overnight. According to Bowen — a Davis resident since 1968 — the town and UCD grew rapidly in the sixties. The beautiful weather combined with the flat area — and starving students who couldn’t afford gas — biking
became very popular. Unfortunately, problems arose with students, staff, professors and residents riding around because streets were for vehicles only and no laws yielded any rights for cyclists. Of course, the cyclists didn’t just take umbrage to this, they took action. “Folks in town started petitions and said, ‘hey, after World War II, Europe rebuilt and a lot of countries implemented bike lanes, so why don’t we have bike lanes?’ The city council at the time insisted they needed more cars downtown than bikers, because people with cars have money and people with money shop,” Bowen explained. “So, the bike people persisted and UCD kept growing. They started putting fences and bollards up
around campus to make it bike and pedestrian friendly.” Assisting in the bicycling efforts at the time were UCD chancellors Emil Mrak and James Meyer. Finally, in 1967 after the city voted more bicycle-friendly folks onto the city council, it was decided bike lanes were to be implemented around town.
However, it was found the state department of transportation laws prevented designated bike paths on a street. After that, legislation was written up, passed through the Assembly and finally Gov. Ronald Reagan signed it allowing bike lanes to be painted on streets, making
the bike lanes in Davis not only the first in California, but the nation as well. Davis’ bike lanes stretch from its history to the present day, providing a safe space for cyclists. Those lanes also reach 303 Third St., where cycling enthusiasts can park and enjoy the USBHOF and museum.
C24 MCNAUGHTON MEDIA
Visitors’ Guide
MAY 2022