The municipality has a reputation for energy conservation, planned development, social activism and environmental awareness. The parks and recreation programs of the city are highly regarded. About 450 small businesses provide an unusual array of goods and services for a city the size of Davis, and a variety of dwelling types and land use arrangements characterize the residential areas. A 20-minute drive east brings the visitor to Sacramento and the Old Sacramento historical area , where there are multiple attractions including the California Railroad Museum , Sutter's Fort , the Delta King paddle wheel steamer and shopping in Old Town Sacramento. San Francisco , famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and cold summers, is only a 70-minute drive to the southwest.
Visitors there can enjoy excellent restaurants, theaters, museums, professional sports and shopping.
Within two hours' drive to the southwest are the Napa Valley wine country , Muir Woods redwood grove , Point Reyes National Seashore , and the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens at Santa Rosa. For those who enjoy mountain scenery, the Sierra Nevada mountain range is a two hour drive to the east. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada are the home of the Mother Lode country, containing many historical sites from the Gold Rush era, including Sutter's Mill , the site of the first gold discovery in the area. Lake Tahoe , with its ski resorts, casinos and nightclubs, is nestled in the mountains just two hours east of Davis. For more information and help on the UC Davis campus visit a campus information kiosk, located at North Gate on Howard Way, just north of Freeborn Hall, and at South Gate on Old Davis Road, just in from the UC Davis exit off Interstate 80.