One Gate

Summer in Davis: Local Vacations

It’s summer, which means it’s prime-time for vacations. But with the economy in the dumps and gas prices on their way back up, no one would blame you for not wanting to travel far and spend tons of cash on your ideal vacation; the year for that European extravaganza this is not.

But never fear! Northern California is awash with cultural opportunities perfect for your weekend getaway and we here at OneGate have compiled a fantastic list of close-by locales less than three hours away where you can relax, sample the local fare and experience summer at its best.

1. Wine Country

Davis has its fair share of oenophiles thanks to the UC Davis Viticulture and Enology department, and one of the world’s most famous wine regions is deliciously close. It takes a little over an hour to get to the southern end of Napa Valley and another half hour to wind your way up to Calistoga (you can also get ideas on where to visit in The Napa Valley Book). Go a little further north from there to get to Healdsburg, or head west to visit Sonoma.

 

2. Tahoe

Tahoe is the ultimate for the outdoorsy-types. Hiking? Check. Swimming? Check. Camping? Check. Gambling? Well, it’s not very outdoorsy, but check! You can find itineraries for the North Shore and plenty of suggestions for activities on the South Shore as well.

3. San Francisco Bay Area

It’s an hour to the east bay and a little more into the heart of San Francisco, where you can visit the tourist-heavy Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 31, Ghirardelli Square, Chinatown, Union Square, Coit Tower, Alcatraz… and the list goes on.

There are also plenty of ways to avoid tourist traps and San Francisco has plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants and other activities to keep even the most world-weary traveler entertained. Visit Only in San Francisco to find upcoming events.

4. Sutter Creek

If you’re interested in California’s gold mining history, Amador County is the place to go. Sutter Creek is known as the “Jewel of the Mother Lode” as it was popular with miners in the 1850’s. Nearby Coloma triggered the gold rush and Amador County seat Jackson also got its fair share of mining traffic and has a cute main street full of antique shops and history. Visit SutterCreek.org for more info about the city of Sutter Creek.

5. Yosemite

A little over three hours away, Yosemite, a National Park and World Heritage Site, still deserves a spot on this list. Most campsites at the national park require reservations in advance, but there are first-come-first-served campgrounds. Also check in nearby areas for campgrounds or hotels and take day trips to the park instead. Visit the National Park Service webpage for Yosemite and Yosemite Association website for details about the park and tips.

6. Your Own Backyard

A staycation might be just what you need to revive your spirits in the heat. Even if you’ve lived in Davis your entire life, it and the surrounding areas still have a lot to offer. Here are a few ideas:
        ~ Go wine tasting at Rominger West Winery and Putah Creek Winery and learn about the Yolo County terroir from local winemakers.
        ~ Visit the Hattie Weber Museum and take a self-guided tour of Davis, learning about the city's history.
        ~ Go for a bike ride out to Winters on Sunday to visit the Winters Farmers Market, then grab brunch.
        ~ Continue past Winters and camp out in Lake Solano County Park, with the peacocks and deer.

Got another great idea for a local trip? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Related:
Summer in Davis: Summer Reading List
Summer in Davis: 7 Ways to Learn Something New
Davis Photo of the Day