Are You That Woman

Living the Davis Life

Davis, with its “friendliest town” moniker and acclaimed UC Davis, has been enticing visitors for more than 100 years. Glean what you can through handheld devices and laptops, but take time walk, bike, eat and see your way around Davis. You will quickly succumb to Davis’ small-town charm and eclectic lifestyle and living the Davis life!
Factoid:  Founded in 1868, originally known as Davisville the post office shortened the name to Davis in 1907.

Unwind at the farmers market, or explore every nook around Davis by way of public art installations from mosaics and murals to Robert Arneson’s world-famous Eggheads.  Whether it’s your rise and shine or day’s end, dining options are plentiful. Well-known regionally, Village Bakery is revered for its artisanal pizza. Davis Creamery’s mind-bending, handcrafted ice cream flavors include Avocado Coconut, Thai Tea and Honey Lavender, as well as the usual suspects Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. For more than 40 years, The Hotdogger has walked numerous diners down the frankfurter path. Beef, sausage, hot link, veggie, and their new “wieners of the world” all served on locally-made Village Bakery buns. With endless sunshine and cool evenings, alfresco dining choices are pleasant diversions. California casual and stylish, restaurants serve everything from classic Italian and two-fisted burgers to seafood and gastropub.
Factoid:  UC Davis topped the Washington Post’s list of “collegiest” college town in California because of its high percentage of students.

Lodging choices are available on and off campus. Consider where you need to be, parking and best options for getting around campus and Downtown. Living the Davis life is about walking, Unitrans and biking— especially biking.  The Aggie Inn provides complimentary bikes for guests, but bikes are also available to rent at bike shops in town. In 1967, Davis created the first official “bike lane” in America. There are now more than 100 miles of designated bike lanes (roads and bike paths) throughout the city and campus. Long known as the Bicycle Capital of the US, there are more than 40,000 bikes in Davis. The definitive bicycle-friendly city, the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame moved to Davis in 2009.  Strolling or pedaling, put this in your must-do file. Located Downtown in Central Park, the Hall of Fame has one of the most extensive bicycle collections in America.
Factoid: In 2017, Unitrans celebrated its 50^th anniversary. Take a ride around town on a classic British double-decker bus.

The iconic Davis Farmers Market, one of the first in California, is by all accounts a must on every student’s and visitor’s bucket list. The every Saturday, year-round, rain or shine Davis Farmers Market is where dozens of local farmers, artists, restaurants and musicians nourish and delight residents and guests. Every Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Picnic in the Park begins and ends with daylight savings.  Enjoy shopping the market, family-friendly children’s activities, dining at the food faire, and great local entertainment. 
Factoid:  Davis Enterprise readers have voted Davis Farmers Market/Picnic in the Park as the “best place in Yolo County to take an out-of-towner.”

Picnic Day, the University’s annual Open House, is free to everyone. Events start early so many people arrive Friday and stay the weekend. A campus ritual since 1909, Picnic Day features more than 200 events throughout campus. Start your Saturday fortified with a complimentary breakfast at your hotel or an all-you-can-eat breakfast hosted by the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge in downtown Davis.  You’ll quickly burn those calories walking or biking your way around town.
Factoid: The Odd Fellows’ Picnic Day breakfast tradition dates back more than 50 years.

Most restaurants and retail superstars are Davis-centric. If you’re looking for a quick bite, bedtime snacks or tchotchkes, the Davis Co-op specializes in local and regional produce and sustainable goods. Skateboards, snowboards and cool attire at The Vault Board Shop are über cool. For wonderful gifts and a little spiritual uplift, check out Tibet Nepal. Artist owned and operated, The Artery artist cooperative has been a cultural magnet since 1974. Tour the Gorman Museum of Native American Art, Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, and the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art the first contemporary arts museum for the university and the city of Davis.
Factoid: In 2015, Davis was among the top 10 most hipster cities in the U.S.

Located in the Central Valley, Davis and the campus are less than 20 miles from downtown Sacramento and 75 miles from San Francisco. Extended stays should include wine and olive oil tastings in Clarksburg and the Capay Valley. On the outskirts of Winters, down pastoral country roads, Berryessa Gap Winery and Berryessa Brewing Company are popular cyclist destinations. Drawing weekend crowds, the large covered patio hosts live music and food trucks. In Historic Woodland, stroll Main Street to Dead Cat Alley and Blue Note Brewing Company.  In the heart of downtown Davis, it’s an easy walk to Three Mile Brewing Co.  Craft brews change seasonally and often rely on locally-sourced ingredients; with 12 taps you won’t leave thirsty. Bring a picnic or order-in from nearby restaurants. The popular industrial community space is family, kid and dog-friendly.
Factoid:  Daycation or overnight, this is how you live the Davis life.

Where the road ends

As you know, I am forever adventuring. Looking for back roads and new vistas; crisscrossing this golden state. 

On our way back from Shelter Cove, my husband, Mike, and I decided to take Hwy. 162 towards Covelo. We knew it would take us over Mendocino Pass, a road I had never traveled and Mike hadn't been that way in about 20 years. We traveled 162, FH7, and Alder Springs Road before finally making our way to the other side of the valley near Newville and across the valley back to Chico. That's the short story!

Here's the colorful version:  The roads are narrow and winding from Shelter Cove to Garberville. We eventually turned south onto Hwy. 101 and then 87 miles later we turned left onto Hwy. 162. Amazingly, several cars were going that way. We immediately hit a glitch. The road was being repaved (which didn't show up on GPS) and for many miles, we were either behind a lead car or came to one-lane paving where we waited for traffic lights to turn green. Eventually, this ended and we found ourselves sailing along on a quiet road. When three other cars came up behind us, we quickly pulled over and let them pass. That was the last we saw of them.

We knew where the pavement ends was coming. And it did. We bumped along on gravel and graded roads. Humps and bumps. In some places, the road was actually in good condition. Yes, driving through acres and acres of a burn scar takes your breath away. But, along the way, there are also deep mountains and views of golden hills. The angry gray and blue sky made those views more exciting. At the summit, Mendocino Pass (5,006 feet) we were in the clouds and mist, but it never rained.

I had set my GPS to guide us on this journey. All was going well and then GPS told us to take a left, which we did. That was a mistake. The app immediately started that rerouting spin and it appeared as if there was no more connection. We hadn't gone very far when I said to Mike, "I'm not sure we're going the right way." Still, we continued on. This road had many more uplifts, burned trees we had to get around (most have been recently sawed to allow passage), and a couple of really treacherous ditches. This is where a good driver is important! We were traveling at less than 15mph.

Then the gods smiled on us. Up ahead was a white pick-up stopped in the road - a man and two black labs. Pulling over we inquired, "Are we going in the right direction to reach Chico?" The answer was a resounding "No!" The left turn was taking us back towards Covelo. The man (wished we had asked his name) must have been laughing to himself as we turned around. A few miles back, we saw the sign for FH7 which is the way we should have gone. 

So, GPS ain't all it's cracked up to be. I have maps in the car, but certainly nothing that would have provided what we needed. Thankfully we made it home - a little late and a little tired for all the extra work. This drive is not for the faint of heart or seasoned travelers.

It was an adventure and one we will cherish.

FYI - A USFS pick-up passed us on this road driving entirely too fast (we thought). Mike finger-wagged at him.

How Much is that California Doggie?

The Rest of the Tale in Yolo County

Prices have gone up over the years at The Hotdogger in downtown Davis, California, but it's still a deal for  these delicious dogs. For more than 40 years, The Hotdogger has walked numerous diners down the frankfurter path. Beef, sausage, hot link, veggie, and their new “wieners of the world”. This wiener-sized café provides limited counter-seating. The dogs, on the other hand, are not your tea-cup variety.

These California dogs may not be AKC line-up, but they are pure-bred delicious! Your classic all-beef Chicago Dog with German mustard, tomatoes, diced onion and relish will set you back $9. From across the border, the spicy Ortega Dog with green chilies and pepper jack cheese will light your fire for $10. The Gut Bomb ($11) combines Louisiana hot links, chili, salsa, and onion; where’s the Tums and Scope? Of course they also serve the PC Veggie Dog breed ($8). Well-groomed with mustard, ketchup, relish, onion and a sprouted wheat bun, it’s just like the real thing. Well, maybe.

Oh, and about the buns! An often overlooked, but integral part of the whole doggone dog experience. Hotdoggers’ buns are locally made at the Village Bakery, another closet-sized establishment. Davis may just be a breeding ground for this kind of thing.

The second owners, the Franks – no, I’m not kidding – have been Davis’ tube steak mavens since 1993. Weiners of the World was born when the family traveled to Thailand. "We tried a sausage and it was just terrible," said Ivan Franks. "I realized we could make something better with the same flavors." The Thai Chicken Sausage with Thai chile salsa was the first "weiner of the world".

Originally published April 2017