Students walking in the arboretum during the autumn season.

From Campus to Capitol: 12 must-visit destinations during UC Tech 2024

  • by Kayla Lee

This year’s UC Tech Annual Conference is unique because the event will be held in two historically significant cities, Davis and Sacramento, both intertwined with California’s past.

October, the month of the conference, is the perfect time to visit as the fall season transforms the foliage into a vibrant display of warm hues. We are excited to welcome you to these cities, and have provided a list of must-visit destinations to make your trip worthwhile.

Visiting Davis

Dubbed as a cow town, college town, and bike town, Davis is Yolo County’s most populous city featuring a flat landscape, environmentally-friendly culture, and lively community.

Destinations:

  • UC Davis Arboretum, a 100-plus acre garden along Putah Creek, features over 150 plant families from California and other countries. It acts as an outdoor museum for wildlife and habitat protection, research, and teaching about sustainable landscape management. For those wanting recluse in nature, the arboretum is the perfect daytime getaway.
  • Bohart Museum of Entomology has the seventh largest insect collection in North America, collecting over seven million specimens of arthropods. The museum aims to research and teach about the impact of insects on the ecosystem.
  • Manetti Shrem Museum of Art offers rotating exhibitions that showcase the work by various acclaimed artists and UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students. The museum also hosts educational art activities, making it a great place to unleash your creativity.
  • Davis Downtown is easily walkable from the UC Davis Main Campus, presenting 32 blocks of shopping, dining, and entertainment through cinemas and museums. The downtown is most ideal for an evening stroll with its vibrant nightlife and well-illuminated streets, creating the perfect nighttime experience.
  • Pavilion Structure, also known as the Hutchison Parking Garage, on Hutchison Drive and Dairy Road is the best sunset spot in Davis. You can walk or drive your car to the top of the parking structure and camp out until the sun goes down.
  • Yolo Bypass is a 16,000-acre wildlife area, home to 200 species of birds. The bypass functions as a flood control station by carrying any overflow of water from the Sacramento River to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. There are multiple walking trails, making exploration fun and easy.

Visiting Sacramento

Branded as America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital, sourcing food from its local farmers, Sacramento is an urban, agricultural hotspot located 20 minutes away from Davis.

Destinations:

  • California State Capitol Park has several points of interest: war memorials, monuments, and Victorian-designed gardens. The park’s blend of history within nature encourages a slower pace in contrast to the bustling city, creating a tranquil atmosphere to unravel the past. You can also enter The Capitol, but make sure to plan accordingly by viewing the museum’s hours of operation and prohibited items.
  • Old Sacramento Waterfront has a rich history as the site where the Transcontinental Railroad was founded and a trading center for gold miners developed. It features shopping, nightlife, and docks by the American River. It also has several notable museums: the Sacramento History Museum and California State Railroad Museum. Sacramento’s golden Tower Bridge can be seen in walking distance, and is especially beautiful at night when the bridge lights up.
  • Crocker Art Museum includes the Crocker family’s mansion, which acts as an art gallery, and the Teel Family Pavilion. The museum features permanent collections of American art, European master drawings, and international ceramics. It also includes rotating exhibitions. Nearby are the Leland Stanford Mansion, which showcases themes of the Victorian era, and the California Auto Museum, which exhibits 120 years of automotive history.
  • Golden 1 Center, home to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Sacramento Kings, is an indoor sports and entertainment arena. Located adjacent from the center is the Downtown Commons where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment.
  • Aerospace Museum of California is an interactive museum that details the history of aviation and aerospace. You can explore historic aircrafts, learn about space travel, and participate in educational activities.
  • William Land Regional Park is a popular green space and lake spot to picnic and exercise. Within the park is the Sacramento Zoo and attractions for young children, including Fairytale Town and the Funderland Amusement Park, making it a great place to bring your family.

With an abundance of attractions to explore, we hope you’ll have fun discovering what these cities have to offer.