Davis is a residential community of 60,000 located in the Sacramento Valley, 15 miles west of Sacramento and 72 miles northeast Of San Francisco. The climate is mild, snow in the winter is rare, and summers are dry and hot. Davis is free from problems of air pollution and congestion.

Davis is ideally situated for access to outdoor recreation areas that offer fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, skiing, wilderness hiking, mountain climbing, and family camping. In less than an hour one arrives at Lake Berryessa to the west, Folsom Lake and the historic gold country of the Mother Lode to the east, or Clear Lake to the northwest.

A variety of interesting day trips are within a few hours of Davis. The redwood coastal areas, Mendocino to the north and Santa Cruz to the south, are favorite retreats. Within two hours to the east are the Sierra Nevada range and Lake Tahoe. To the west are the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, famous for their wineries, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bicycles are the favored form of transportation in Davis. Bicycle and pedestrian lanes are clearly marked on campus and throughout the city, and bicycle parking is available near all major buildings.

The university and the city of Davis offer a great variety of planned programs for all ages in the performing and fine arts, athletics, and in special group recreation. The University Theater, UC Davis Presents, and music and art departments have a full schedule of plays, concerts, lectures, and exhibiters, while the Davis Art Center provides directed work-shops and classes in fine arts, music, dance, and language, as well as a permanent gallery which offers rental services and features the work of local artists.

Downtown Davis has many unique shops featuring gourmet foods, wines, baked goods, and local artists' works. There is also a variety of ethnic restaurants and cafes. Throughout the year a biweekly outdoor farmers' market features seasonal produce, bakery items, crafts and flowers.