Redwoods on Campus

Walk among redwoods at the UC Davis Arboretum

11.30.2022

At over 7,000 acres, the UC Davis campus is the largest in the UC system. But you don’t have to be a student to enjoy a beautiful stroll in the UC Davis Arboretum. Walk the 3.5-mile (round-trip) paved path alongside Putah Creek, passing through 17 gardens, including beautiful redwoods and Torrey pines.

Start at the Shovel Gateway Sculpture. Artist Chris Fennell used over 400 well-weathered shovels to create an “arch” connecting the city of Davis to the UC Davis campus and the Arboretum. Continue west on the multi-use path, walking through a series of highlights like the Australian Collection, Mediterranean Collection, and California Native Plants.

Among the Arboretum’s most impressive attributes is that it’s home to one of the largest and most diverse oak collections in the entire country—100 species!

The redwoods are a sublime place to take a seat at a bench or picnic table (there are a few within the trees). Take a break on the grass near Lake Spafford and watch the ducks. A+.

To start at the Shovel Gateway Sculpture, park in the parking lot at 1st St. and D St. (map). There is no fee to visit. Dog-friendly!

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