01
Best in-town stroll
UC Davis Arboretum Trail
Uc Davis Campus • In-Town Nature Loop Along The Water • Best Easy Stroll
A flat, landscaped loop along Putah Creek that feels like a botanical garden wrapped around a campus walking path.
If you only have an hour and don’t want to drive, the Arboretum Trail is the go-to walk for students and locals. The path follows the water with shady trees, native plant gardens, and interpretive signs, so it works as both a casual walk and a gentle training loop. Expect joggers, bikes on nearby paths, and plenty of ducks and turtles, especially in the cooler hours.
02
Closest wild-feeling escape
Putah Creek Riparian Reserve
Putah Creek South Of Campus • Shaded Creekside Trail Network • After-Class Escape
A string of dirt paths and levee walks along Putah Creek that offers quick access to trees, birds, and water without leaving town.
Head just south of campus and you can drop down to informal trails that wind along the north bank of Putah Creek. The walking here is mostly flat, with roots and sand in places, but the cottonwoods and willows keep it cooler than the surrounding fields. It’s ideal for short out-and-back hikes, fishing breaks, and sunset walks when you want something more natural than the greenbelts but don’t have time for a long drive.
03
Classic foothill challenge
Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve
Lake Berryessa Foothills Near Winters • Steep Canyon And Ridge Hike • Classic Local Challenge
A demanding loop up rocky switchbacks to a ridgeline with big views over Lake Berryessa and the inner Coast Range.
Stebbins is the hike people mention when they talk about “real” trails near Davis, and the main loop delivers a serious workout. The route climbs quickly out of a shaded creek canyon onto open ridges, where the payoff is sweeping views and spring wildflowers when the timing is right. Go early in the day, avoid peak summer heat, and bring plenty of water—there’s little shade on the upper half and the sun can be intense.
04
Best for birds and big skies
Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Trails
East Of Davis Off I-80 • Open Wetlands And Levee Walk • Bird-Watching Hotspot
Wide-open levee and service-road walks through seasonal wetlands that trade elevation gain for sky, birds, and quiet.
When the bypass holds water, this is one of the most interesting flat walks around, with migratory birds crowding the ponds and marshes. Trails here are really old roads and levees, so the hiking is easy but exposed—think big sky, distant freeway hum, and a sense of being out in the middle of the valley. Bring binoculars, check seasonal access, and wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy after winter storms.
05
Most remote adventure
Fiske Creek and Blue Ridge Area
Capay Valley / Cache Creek Canyon • Remote Ridge And Creek Trail • All-Day Adventure
A longer, more rugged outing in the Cache Creek hills, where narrow singletrack connects creek bottoms with high, oak-studded ridges.
For hikers willing to drive a bit farther, the Fiske Creek and nearby Blue Ridge trails offer a wilder feel than anything closer to town. Trails roll through grasslands and oak woodland, with stretches that can be steep, rocky, and overgrown depending on the season. Plan this as a cooler-weather or shoulder-season trip, since summer heat and lack of shade can be punishing, and check road conditions before you commit to the drive.