For the second year in a row, the Arboretum has been voted the most picturesque location in Davis.

The Arboretum’s popularity for picture-taking can be traced to a variety of characteristics.

For one, the Arboretum displays a diverse array of landscapes. On the Arboretum’s website, it boasts an estimated 100 acres of lush gardens and wildlife. Within those 100 acres, visitors can take pictures of a large range of plants and wildlife native to California. The garden collection includes a conifer collection, Australian collection and a foothill collection. Since the Arboretum’s plants and wildlife change with each season, visitors can always count on taking a picture of something new and unseen.

The Arboretum is also ideal as a backdrop for photo shoots and for group and graduation pictures, especially in the Terrace Garden and Lois Crowe Patio. The location’s continued success as a beautiful and picturesque location can be attributed to what it symbolizes for students.

For Shailaja Chadha, a first-year sustainable agriculture and food systems major, the Arboretum represents an ideal of beauty that is often hard to find in normal day-to-day life. Chadha said the calming nature of the Arboretum and its ability to relax students adds to the physical charm of the space itself.

“It’s just a peaceful place,” Chadha said. “The water is still and you can hear the wind through the trees. It’s nice to sit by yourself and just breathe.”

Written by: Katrina Manrique — features@theaggie.org

If you’re looking to let loose and show off your skillful dancing moves, the Davis Graduate, this year’s best place to dance, is the place for you.

Located on Russell Boulevard at the University Mall, the Davis Graduate, otherwise known as “the Grad,” is a combination sports bar and restaurant that turns into a dance club at night.

It opened in 1971 and has managed to maintain its festive vibe and attractive appeal for college students over the past 46 years. The restaurant is designed around a huge dance floor, professional lighting and great sound that can be experienced nightly.

There is a different dance theme every night of the week, each accompanied by a unique music genre. On Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, one can expect country line dancing with DJ Mark for anyone 18 or older. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is salsa dancing with free dance lessons at 9:30 p.m. with DJ MigZ, who teaches Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Kizomba and more.

Davis Graduate manager Danny Ramos believes the Grad was named best place to dance because of its versatile location.

“We are not just a bar, we are dance-centric,” Ramos said.  

Third-year biology major Karen Parga has attended salsa night in the past and thought it was the perfect freshman year experience.

“I went to the Grad on salsa night during Halloween, and it was just so funny seeing everyone wearing their costumes and dancing around to fancy moves,” Parga said.

If students would like to experience the Grad for themselves, it is open weekdays at 11 a.m. and weekends at 10 a.m., with varying closing times.

Written by: Demi Caceres — features@theaggie.org

There is no shortage of Thai restaurants in downtown Davis, but Thai Canteen has captured the title of Best Thai Restaurant with its popular Thai tea and specialties such as pork belly and duck. It is a student-oriented establishment that serves lunch, dinner and even late-night munchies at an affordable price. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 AM to 2 AM and Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM, students can easily stop by the restaurant, located on 2nd and  E Street,  for a quick bite to eat or a drink.

What differentiates Thai Canteen from other Thai restaurants is its self-serve design.

“You come in, your order at the counter, we send you off to a table and servers bring food to you. Everything else from there is self-serve [including] water, spices,” said manager Peter Sriboonreuang.

Customers can choose from a variety of dishes, ranging from rice plates to noodles to snacks. The prices are also on the lower range, receiving one dollar sign on Yelp and making it a college-student staple.

Whether eating out with a big group of friends or sharing a one-on-one meal, Thai Canteen has the seating for the occasion. The restaurant has long, wooden tables that are surrounded on all sides by chairs as well as  bar seating and tables for smaller groups. During lunch and dinner hours, the atmosphere is relaxed and social, and usually buzzing with conversation.

“Bistro style ordering makes it a convenient place to eat with a group of friends,” said second year Biology major Kelly Wang.
Thai Canteen currently partners with Joy Run, which is an app that allows students to order food directly on their phone and have it delivered to them by friends or other app users. This partnership saves students a trip downtown and makes ordering convenient.

Written by: Julia Wu and Veronica Vargo — features@theaggie.org

As a city filled with bikes, it is only fitting that Davis has numerous bike shops in order to keep its bikers safe. This year, UC Davis’ own on-campus bike shop, Bike Barn, has won Best Bike Shop in Davis.

Located between the Silo and Rock Hall, Bike Barn is easily accessible for the thousands of students who bike on-campus daily.

“I think that [there is a] convenience factor of it being on campus,” said Bike Barn’s business manager David Canzoneri, a fourth-year economics major who has worked at the shop since the beginning of his freshman year. “Whether they live on campus or not, a lot of students are biking on campus.”

According to Canzoneri, the shop’s student employees help create a welcoming environment because they can relate with the many students who come in to have their bikes repaired.

“All the employees except for the general manager are students,” Canzoneri said. “It helps to have a familiar friendly face.”

The shop also caters to students’ needs, never turning down a request to repair a bike. While other bike shops may refuse to work on lower-end, inexpensive bikes, Canzoneri stresses that the Bike Barn always helps each of its customers.

“One thing that sets us apart from other shops is that there’s not really a job we will turn away,” Canzoneri said.

Written by: Alyssa Vandenberg – campus@theaggie.org

Heading down I-10 West from Davis, it only takes a little over an hour to get to what has been voted the Best Day Trip: San Francisco. Whether you’re travelling with friends, family or going to get some alone time from the hustle of college, San Francisco truly has something to offer everyone looking for a day away from the world.

 While you’re in the City, you can take a trip down to the famous Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf and get a sight of the local sea lions while grabbing a bowl of clam chowder. Or maybe you and your friends are looking for a great baseball game to watch. Then everyone can head to AT&T Park and see the World Series Champion San Francisco Giants take a swing.

The list goes on — deYoung Muesuem for the artist, Golden Gate Park for the historically interested and Muir Woods for those who want to get lost among the ever-prominent Redwoods.

Even something as simple as a quiet time in the park can be done — in fact, Dolores Park is right in the heart of the city ready for visitors to enjoy the vibrant scenery of locals enjoying their day.

 “The best thing about San Francisco is it’s unique culture,” said Nathaniel Copus, fourth year history major. “The shopping and food are just the consequence of the cultures within the metropolitan area. You can see the history of the city near the Golden Gate Park or drive down Webster street just to see the signs written in Japanese. There are many things, places, and people that make San Francisco the best day trip, however it would take an entire book to talk about that.”

Written by: Alan Castillo and Gillian Allen — features@theaggie.org

3rd and U Cafe, located and Third Street and University Avenue’s, is a staple for Davis’ over-21 crowd. A deal of two pints for $6.50 keeps a college student’s wallet, and emotions, happy. An outdoor patio and large flat screen televisions make for an inviting and social environment in the heart of Downtown Davis make for an enjoyable experience with about ten beers on tap at a time. The spot is great for big games and making new friends.

“The macadamia nut porter is one of the best beers in town,” said Nathaniel Bernhard, a fourth year political science major. “It’s a great place to show face in Davis. You can’t really beat the deals.”

At any time, one can walk by 3rd and U and see his or her friends; athletes and members of the Greek community can be seen sitting on the outdoor patio.  Given the setting and lack of financial commitment, 3rd and U Cafe is the spot for 21 year olds to go. With an incredible menu of sandwiches, wraps, and burgers, the pairing of a beer with a meal makes for a great time on a Friday afternoon.

Written by Michael Martinez – sports@theaggie.org