UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden has been on my local list of attractions for a while. I can’t say why I haven’t gone before but I haven’t. And after visiting today looking for some fall colors I certainly regret not having gone sooner. I can say the Arboretum and gardens were not at all what I expected…in a good way. I expected just a large park with some glorious old trees and a place for my son to run around reasonably free. Instead, I found a lovely meandering creek called the Putah Creek lovingly surrounded by well maintained gardens and walking bridges. Visitors can walk the entire thing or sections and can follow both sides of the creek. They will be joined by runners, students, local residents, gossiping women, and visitors like me.
It is hard to be unhappy in a place like this even with heavy smoke in the air from the Butte Fire raging a small distance away. Several distinct gardens keep one’s interest while they get their steps in. Acacia gardens, redwood gardens, desert gardens, and plants and trees from China were the highlights. Ducks followed us everywhere we went. This perfect little park is a quiet oasis placed smack in the middle of one of California’s premier Universities.
Bulldog Travels / Photos By Jenny 
What a beautiful place to spend some time in the outdoors with your little one. Those fires are so scary and sad. Glad to hear you aren’t in harms way.
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No we are fine thank goodness. But it’s not a good idea to be outside right now for sure.
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It’s so lovely! Your photos are wonderful. Unnerving to see the smoke in the sky though. I hope the fire is out soon.
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Me too. It’s so terrible this one. Are you getting smoke all the way up your way?! Too far, right?
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Too far away. Our winter rains have started up here too, so along the coast we are now out of the danger period. I’ll cross my fingers for some rain on the Butte Fire.
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Thanks. We need some so bad but none in the stars for a while.
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What an incredible place to visit. You took great photos.
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Thank you! It was a treat.
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This is so pleasant. I can imagine studying there and taking a break near the Monet bridge. (I did squint a bit) 😉
Thanks for the stroll.
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I just can’t believe I am only seeing it now. It’s been under my nose all these many years!
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It does happen. Some of the nicest discoveries were under our/your nose all the time. Hope Thanksgiving was good. (And that the rain is helping with the fire.)
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Thank you. We had a really nice Thanksgiving yesterday. And my mom and I went out shopping together today. I don’t know if that is a thing where you live but the Christmas shopping season starts in full swing The day after Thanksgiving. I believe the fires are doing well. I checked on it this morning and it was 95%. I’m not sure if the rain Is causing problems with mud slides or Ash slides. At least it is putting out the fire.
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95% is 95%. Let’s deal with the slides later. I tend to say: “one problem at a time”.
Nice that you took mom & daughter time for shopping.
Since there is mo Thanksgiving here, the Christmas season starts after Día de muertos, Nov. 2nd. Almot two months of Xmas shopping! As much as I spent most of my professional life in Marketing, I wish merchants would give us a break! 🙂
Have a great week-end.
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Totally agree to every statement
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🙂 Just read this week-end that the fire is under control. At last. Another ordeal is over. Now is the time to work on the after. Very sorry for everybody’s losses…
(And selfishly glad that you guys are ok)
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Thank you. Same here. Yes it will be months of recovery.
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