1) Burgers and Brew
If you go to Davis, that means that you have the pleasure of exploring our quaint downtown. And just on 3rd and C of downtown, you’ll find the quintessential Davis restaurant Burgers and Brew. We aren’t talking your average burger either.
At Burgers and Brew, the menu and toppings are endless. If you have yet to reach that coveted age of 21, you’ll have to wait to indulge in their intoxicating brew but, in the meantime, you can still enjoy the fresh salads, savory shakes, and every type of fries imaginable from potato wedges to garlic fries –but might we suggest washing down the garlic fries with some much needed mints to prevent any potential lovers from being deterred. The best part about this Davis hot spot is that they’re open late on week days and even later on weekends, so it’s the perfect place to satisfy your late night munchies. Burgers and Brew is open Mon- Wed 11:00 am -12:00 am, Thu-Sat 11:00 – 3:00 am, and Sundays 11:00 am – 12:00 am. If you haven’t tried Burgers and Brew it has to go on your list of things to do and places to go.
Where to look:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burgers-and-brew-davis
2) Farmers Market
There’s nothing as uniquely UC Davis as waking up after a long drunken, crazy Friday night and making your way down to the Farmers Market in downtown Davis.
At the Farmers Market, booths line the pavement outside the park with vendors eagerly awaiting to give you samples of gluten free desserts, freshly popped kettle corn, and fruits and vegetables galore. Another great thing about the Farmers Market, besides its array of food, are the people and entertainment. At the Farmers Market you will see families, couples, youth groups, seniors, and your peers. Musical entertainment from guitar to trombone can be found near the grass. You really feel at home and part of the community when you visit the Davis Farmers Market. It is definitely something that all Davisite’s should experience.
Where to look:
http://www.davisfarmersmarket.org/
3) Get involved
Being a part of something outside of your classes is super important. Yes, your parents want you to get good grades and so do we, but we collegiettesTM at HC also know how important it is to get out there and get involved. Luckily, Davis has a ton of options out there. Clubs range from major specifications, to fashion, to magazines, and even sport themes. Getting involved can also mean getting a job or an internship. All of this is part of the college experience and trying new things. Not only will you meet new people, but extra curricular activities are a great way to spice up your resume.
Where to look:
https://ucdavis-csm.symplicity.com/students/index.php
http://admissions.ucdavis.edu/studentlife/clubs.cfm
4) The ARC
If you haven’t already visited the ARC, then get on your bike and head over. The ARC is AMAZING. The ARC is like the heart of the ocean – for all you Titanic fans you’ll understand the reference. What we mean to say is that the ARC is a place where everyone, from all aspects of the University come to study, eat, and work out, or just stand in front of the mirrors holding weights like it seems so many of the male species do. It is one of the biggest recreation centers in the UC system and offers so many different opportunities to stay healthy and lean. At the ARC, you can take zumba classes, spin, do group exercise, or just go to the beat of your own drum and work out on a machine. Having a consistent workout plan is a great way to stay healthy and we can’t complain about all the eye candy in the main gym area either. Working out is so important to your happiness and keeps us collegiettesTM looking fresh and ready for the Rec Pool, frat parties, and cocktails!
Where to look:
http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu
5) Intramural sports
At Davis, our intramural sports program gives you the chance to play the sport you love without the commitment of daily practices. The great thing about intramural sports is that you can do what you love, and have fun doing it without any stress. There is just about every sports team imaginable for intramural sports, and the best part? You can start your own team if you want to! So, in addition to staying fit and doing what you love, you’re going to meet a ton of new people.
Where to look:
http://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/cms/internal.aspx?uid=e37e013d-8f88-457a-8a61-4a0e15afb1cb
6) Frat Row
College is a lot of hard work, but all work and no play makes us all pretty dull, wouldn’t you say? Finding the balance between schoolwork and an active social life is crucial to your survival! When the weekend comes around, we suggest rewarding your hours of studying for that impossible Econ midterm by checking out frat row on Russel Blvd. Seeing what parties and kickbacks the Greek life has to offer not only promises a night full of debauchery, but can open up many doors in the future, who knows you just might want to join your sophomore year. Take it to the next level and get all dressed up with friends when going down Russel- and don’t forget your camera!
Where to look:
http://daviswiki.org/Frat_row
7) Arboretum
The Arboretum is a little hidden gem on our campus. Located behind the library, you can find one of the most beautiful places in our small cow town.
The arboretum’s pond is so pretty and is surrounded by trees, flowers, and animals to give you a real getaway from the hustle and bustle of the bikers, classrooms, and notebooks. With a full trail around the lake, you can enjoy a nice run, or just a relaxing day of tanning and music with friends on the grass. It is definitely a hide away that you must take advantage of.
Where to look:
http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/
8) Aggie Pride
School spirit doesn’t go away when you go off to college, in fact, it only grows.
Where to look:
http://ica.ucdavis.edu/aggiepack/index.ph
9) Cheap date night
There’s nothing we like more than a cheap date night. If you’re new to Davis, then you may not know that every Tuesday Baskin Robbins has a $1 scoop and that the local theaters have $5 movies. So get up the courage to ask that cutie you’ve been eyeing for the last few weeks and go downtown and enjoy a date night with your special someone.
Where to look:
http://daviswiki.org/$5_Movie_Tuesday
10) Late night at the DC
There is something to be said about all the good times had at late nights in the DC. If you’re a freshman, that means you have swipes, and if you have swipes that means you have the luxury of late night. Every Monday – Thursday from 8:45 -12 a.m. you and your friends can enjoy fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies that seem to melt in your mouth instantaneously (literally the best thing ever), classic cakes, warm baked potatoes, deli sandwiches, cheesy pizza and more. When you can’t seem to get into the swing of studying, there is no better break than late night at the DC.
Where to look:
http://dining.ucdavis.edu/res_diningmenuover.html
11) House boats
Each year, the Greek community, athletic teams, and unaffiliated but eager students round up their troops and head to Lake Shasta for Memorial Day weekend. House boats means sun, water, booze, and a good time. This weekend full of drunken slurs, boat hopping, and hazy memories is definitely a financial investment, but everyone who comes back swaying from the boats says it is the best weekend of the year (aside from picnic day). So, even if you’re not in a sorority and not on a team, you can ask your friends about extra spaces in the boats. Definitely think ahead about saving up for houseboats because it is a worthwhile investment.
Where to look:
http://daviswiki.org/Houseboats
12) Concerts/ Entertainment
Everyone loves to go out and have a good time, dance with friends, listen to music, and get away from the stressful activity of school. UC Davis’ Entertainment Council makes this possible with year round concerts and performances for students. Within the last year, our seemingly isolated campus had Snoop Dog, LMFAO, Ke$ha, Tiesto and other amazing artists come by and perform here in our very own Freeborn Hall and Pavilion. Going to these concerts provides a break from the monotony studying and it’s not only cheap for students, but it’s close and convenient entertainment for those without cars. Everyone should go to at least one concert put on at UC Davis their freshman year!
Where to look:
http://tickets.ucdavis.edu/Public/?SRVC=TIX
13) Know your resources
There’s no doubt about it, Davis is huge. In fact, we have the largest UC Campus! As the largest UC campus, we also have a ton of different places to visit and sometimes finding your way around can be hard. But don’t stress because when it comes to resources, our campus is just as plentiful. As a freshman, it is so important to make use of office hours, go to tutoring and make sure you know what help is out there. For freshmen living in the dorms, look to your RA’s to see when tutors come around to your building. Check out Dutton Hall to find out when tutors and writing specialists are available. Get to know your TA’s one-on-one so that when the ominous test time rolls around, you are ready to get the help you need. Knowing what resources are available to you will open up so many doors academically and socially – so don’t be afraid to see what’s out there.
Where to look:
http://lsc.ucdavis.edu/tutoring.html
https://rhat.ucdavis.edu/
14) Picnic Day
Where do we begin with Picnic Day? It is perhaps the single event that every UC Davis student looks forward to – and for good reason. Rarely does a whole school, we take that back, a whole town come together for a full day of drinking (and when we say full, we mean full– drinking begins as early as 7:00 am and doesn’t end until the early hours of the next morning), eating hot dogs, hamburgers, Indian food, ice-cream (really anything you can get your hands on) and celebrating the years of education and youth at UC Davis. On Picnic Day, it’s all about getting together with friends, having a good time, and letting loose. On campus, you can find dance performances, concerts, fashion shows, booths, food, raffles, and just about anything you can imagine. Let’s not forget that Picnic day is from sunrise until far after sunset. Invite your friends from around town and save the date for Picnic Day 2012 on Saturday, April 21, 2012.
Where to look:
http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu/
15) Study/The library
Now that we’ve shown you how to have a good time, we also have to lay down the law of studying! College can be fun, but it’s also important to study and keep up your grades. An effective way to stay organized amidst the chaos of the quarter system is to keep a planner —
whether it’s on your computer or in a UCD school planner, knowing what you have to do and when it’s due will keep you on the right track for getting good grades. And then there comes studying…If you’re like most people, finding a place to study in your dorm room can be difficult with all the distractions around. Look to Shields Library. At Shields, you can find individual desks, long tables, and even study rooms. Shields library is a great place to study on your own or to get a group study session going. Or maybe you like a place with a little more noise? If so, the ARC or the Coho can be a great place to study. We collegiettesTM love to have a good time, but we also know that school comes first and that balance is key.
Where to look:
http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/
Being the new kids on the block definitely has it’s ups and downs. But in reality, your fellow upper classmen all reminisce about the days when they were freshmen. As you can see UC Davis is an exceptional college and a place where we collegiettesTM know you can thrive. The list of things to do and places to go continues to grow as you venture through your four (or maybe five) years here at UC Davis. Remember that college is about trying new things, growing, learning, changing, and making friendships that will last a life time. Enjoy it while you can!