Best date spot: The Arboretum

The romantic beauty of Davis’ resident nature spot and why students love it 

By EMILIA ROSE— science@theaggie.org

This year, the Arboretum has been voted Davis’ best date spot. Whether it’s lying down on the grass with your favorite person, watching the ducks waddle by or seeing bands of light stretching across the water, the Arboretum, for many, holds a profound and peaceful beauty.

Cast in golden light each day and a serene chill at night, the Arboretum has a distinct atmosphere like no other. Sel Bahy, a first-year political science — public service major, shared his appreciation for the wonder this natural haven provides.

“I think the horizon is really beautiful at night,” Bahy said. “Something about the quiet ambience combined with the boundless amounts of nature moves me a lot.”

This place is not just a safe space for the flora and fauna; students, visitors and Davis community members alike find genuine calm and peace after a long stroll in the Arboretum. Lily Bailey, a first-year animal science major, is one of the many students who use the Arboretum to ground themselves.

“I feel happier and less stressed when I am in the Arboretum,” Bailey said.

Bahy also mentioned that he feels more creative and introspective after a visit to the Arboretum.

“While being there during the night makes me more reflective, I do enjoy being there during the day as well,” Bahy said. “It is super lively, and it always puts me in a good mood to see everyone else enjoying the sun.”

However, the Arboretum doesn’t just provide an endless supply of peace and beauty for individual visitors; when you go there with your special someone, the rewards multiply.

Sophia Najera, a first-year political science major, described why she finds the Arboretum a premier date spot.

“I consider it romantic due to the fact that it allows for some privacy, and it is a really good place to have contemplative conversations to get to know someone better,” Najera said.

Bahy also commented on the romantic atmosphere of the Arboretum.

“I think the Arboretum is inherently romantic,” Bahy said. “Maybe not a specific part of it, but the general idea of bringing someone you love there amongst all the trees, ducks, grasses and bridges seems really intimate. It is like a place [where] you can have a moment with someone and only them.”

Regardless of whether the love of your life comes to town for a visit or if you’re just asking someone new out on a date, don’t bring them to your dorm or apartment. Instead, you can take in the beauty of the world by touching some grass — and not just any grass, but the greenery graced by the warm light of the sun as it stretches across the Arboretum.

Written by: Emilia Rose— science@theaggie.org