Davis in spring - Davis, California - Brief Article

Sunset, April, 2001 by Lisa Taggart

This college town near Sacramento is at its two-wheeling best when the trees are blooming

Maybe it's the fields stretching out flat and fertile in every direction, or the pink-tipped petals falling from the cherry trees. Maybe it's the thrill of knowing that the end of classes is near--even when you haven't been a student for years.

Whatever the source, it's clear that there's a particular energy buzzing through Davis in spring. Bikers cruise the streets of the University of California campus with baskets and books. The popular downtown farmers' market in Central Park draws large springtime crowds, who linger around the sweet peas to catch live music.

Fifteen miles west of Sacramento, Davis has an organic mix of students, farmers, natural-food advocates, and cyclists. The wholesomeness of the place--from the bicycle as the preferred method of transportation to the highway underpass constructed for frogs--is infectious. Even the air seems healthier here.

"It's pretty incredible how many organic farmers we have here in Yolo County," says Annie Main, one of the pioneers of the Davis Farmers Market and co-owner of Good Humus Produce. Since its founding in 1974, the twice-weekly market has become a cornerstone of the community. It's as much a part of Davis as biking.

"Davis was the first city in the United States to establish a comprehensive citywide system of bike lanes," boasts David Takemoto-Weerts, campus bicycle program coordinator. He points out that biking's popularity here--evident by crowded paths and bike racks all over town--isn't surprising given the level terrain, mild climate, and large number of students. On any given day during the school year, he says, Davis has about 15,000 riders. At some intersections, says city bike coordinator Tim Bustos, as many as 1,000 cyclists pass by per hour.

A bicycle museum, set to open next year, will soon add to Davis's position as the biking capital of the West. And next month the city celebrates National Bike Month with a double-century ride, a bike picnic, and a bike fair called CycleBration.

It's not all bikes and organics here. Like most college towns, Davis has its arty side. All over campus there's public art, including Robert Arneson's five white Eggbead sculptures. Downtown, galleries and art stores rub shoulders with coffeehouses and bookstores. Next year, the university will open Center for the Arts, an 1,800-seat, $53million performance hall.

But the lovely cherry trees are blooming now. So do as the locals do, and take a bike tour of town. Pedal through the campus, and catch locals tossing Frisbees. Fuel up at the farmers' market, or browse the shops and coffeehouses.

And breathe deeply of the healthful, energizing air.

Davis travel planner

Davis is 15 miles west of Sacramento off I-80. Area code is 530 unless noted.

For general information, contact the Davis Conference & Visitors Bureau, 130 G St., Suite B; 297-1900.

Biking around Davis

Park at South Entry Parking Structure ($4 Mon-Fri, free Sat-Sun) near Walter A. Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, along Old Davis Rd. (752-8111). The center has information and maps.

One-hour loop. For a quick tour of campus and town, head north from the Buehler visitor center to the arboretum pathway, which runs along both sides of Putah Creek in a 3.5-mile loop. Pedal into downtown for shopping and dining via A and First Streets. Hutchison Dr. and California Ave. are the main campus roads. Longer rides. The fields around Davis make for nice, flat, rural riding. If you're interested in taking a longer bike loop through the region, ask for maps at B&L Bike Shop (see below).

Bike rentals

B&L Bike Shop. City-type bike rentals and bike maps of the area are available. From $7 per day. 610 Third St.; 756-3540.

Wheelworks Bicycle Corp. Rent a hybrid or road bike. From $8 per day. 247 F St.; 753-3118.

Attractions

Art tour. The "Gallery Guide & Public Art Walking Tour" brochure shows the location of Arneson sculptures and other campus and downtown public art. The Artery: 207 G St.; 758-8330.

CycleBration. The ninth annual bicycle fest on May 20 includes races on antique bikes, unicycle demonstrations, and live music, At E Street Plaza, on E St. between Second and Third Streets. Davis Downtown Business Association: 756-8763.

Davis Farmers Market. Live music, crafts, baked goods, and prepared food as well as fresh produce from more than five dozen farmers. 4:30-8:30 Wed, 8-12 Sat. Fourth and C Streets; 756-1695.

University Arboretum. On the south side of campus, bicycling and walking paths pass collections of native and Mediterranean plants. The arboretum's 125 acres include the lovely Shields Oak Grove and a gazebo ringed by white-flowering plants. Monthly guided one-hour tours focus on specific plant collections or gardening techniques. Pick up an arboretum map at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center Arboretum information: 752-4880 or www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

Dining

Cafe Bernardo. Students study over huge lattes or munch on sandwiches and pasta. 234 D St.; 750-5101.