Yolo: Nature, Trails and Culture

Natural areas along Cache Creek

Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park covers more than 600 acres of unspoiled natural landscape. Its landscapes include oak woodlands, pine trees and grassland meadows with cottonwoods, as well as riparian habitats with rushes, sedges and similar riverside vegetation. Those interested in different natural environments will also find several distinctive landscapes at Capay Open Space Park: lowland floodplains, riparian woodlands, riparian scrub and a grassy oak savanna.

Capay Open Space Park offers direct access to lower Cache Creek and more than two miles of trails. The Blue Ridge Trail is an 8-mile loop that begins within Cache Creek Regional Park. It has a very steep climb and about 2,100 feet of elevation gain to the trailhead. Plan for the Blue Ridge Trail with its very steep climb in mind, and check trail conditions and access before hiking.

Trails and bike routes

County Road 40 in Cache Creek Regional Park is closed to vehicles but open to hikers, horseback riders and cyclists. Check road and trail access before setting out. For a bike ride through Davis, the Davis Bike Loop is a separate point of reference: it is about 12 miles long, runs through the Greenbelt and passes most of Davis’s major bicycle infrastructure.

The two routes are easy to distinguish based on the information provided: the Blue Ridge Trail is an 8-mile loop with a very steep climb and about 2,100 feet of elevation gain to the trailhead. The Davis Bike Loop, by contrast, is defined by its approximate length, its route through the Greenbelt and Davis’s bicycle infrastructure. Which description suits your day plan depends on whether you would rather tackle a notable climb or ride a loop through the Greenbelt.

Birdwatching and natural areas

Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area covers about 16,600 acres. Possible activities include wildlife viewing, birdwatching, hunting and natural history education programs; some activities are regulated seasonally. On guided tours, scientists, bird enthusiasts and schoolchildren visit the wetlands to experience waterfowl up close. Check tour dates before setting out.

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden also offers natural areas, gardens and landscapes. Admission is free, and these areas are open 24 hours a day, year-round. However, check operating information again before setting out. The trails at Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve have different hours: they are open to hikers year-round from sunrise to sunset. The reserve is located in the steep inland canyons, on the slopes and ridges of California’s Inner Coast Range. Check trail conditions and seasonal hazards before hiking.

The UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve is a 640-acre natural riparian and grassland ecosystem on the southern edge of the UC Davis campus. It is used for teaching and research, wildlife and habitat protection, and community engagement. This focus sets it apart from the hiking trails and wildlife-viewing opportunities described above: research, conservation and community use are also central here.

Wine and regional art

Yolo County wine country is home to more than 14 local, small-scale, family-owned wineries; the number of participating businesses may change. Tasting rooms are located along scenic routes between Napa Valley and the Sacramento River and can be reached by car. For trip planning, this offers a different kind of excursion from hiking or birdwatching: the focus is on wineries and tasting rooms along the routes.

You can also explore regional art and culture through exhibitions and programs. Gibson House and Property offers exhibitions, programs and community spaces where you can experience regional art and culture. Gallery 625 gives emerging and established artists space and opportunities to exhibit a diverse selection of artistic media.

When planning a hotel stay in Yolo, it helps to prioritize your interests for the trip: hiking trails and bike routes, wildlife and birdwatching, wineries or exhibitions each offer a different focus. This lets you choose the experiences that matter most for your trip and check relevant tour dates and the access and operating conditions mentioned above in advance.

Discover more destinations: Winters, Woodland, Rumsey, Davis, Esparto, West Sacramento, Imperial, Del Norte.

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